Semiya kesari recipe – made without using food color. Semiya kesari is a variation to the Semiya payasam, made with an addition of kesar/saffron. But made without using milk. Semiya is a south Indian term to vermicelli and kesari is a sweet dish made with semolina, ghee, sugar and saffron color.
Vermicelli is one of those most common ingredients used in Indian homes to make kesari, semiya upma and kheer.
There are some sweets which I rarely make at home, considering the amount of unhealthy refined sugar that goes towards making them. This semiya kesari is one of them.
I choose to make this as a last minute option since it can be made quickly within 15 minutes & tastes good.
I made this recently when I had a friend home, didn’t wanted to make anything elaborate so just ended up making this semiya kesari and onion pakoda along with masala chai.
Thought of sharing it here for the upcoming festive season, dasara and diwali since it can be offered as naivedyam to Gods.
I made this colorful semiya kesari without using any food colors, just by adding a pinch of saffron. You may also like to check this rava kesari recipe.
How to make semiya kesari recipe
1. Bring water to a boil in a separate pot or microwave.
2. While the water boils, add ghee to a pan and fry the nuts. When they turn lightly golden, add raisins and stir till they swell up. Transfer them to a plate.
3. Add semiya and fry till lightly golden. Do not discolor or burn them.
4. Pour the hot water to the semiya. Add saffron and cardamom powder. You can add cardamom powder with sugar too. Bring the water to a boil on high flame. When it begins to boil, reduce the flame to medium and cook till fully done.
5. Add sugar and stir. Sugar melts and releases moisture. Let it cook till all the moisture evaporates. Do not overcook, semiya kesari becomes rubbery and sticky.
For more simple sweet recipes, check
sagubiyyam payasam
chakkara pongal
millet sweet pongal
channa dal payasam
Related semiya recipes
semiya payasam
semiya pulao
South Indian semiya kesari recipe
Semiya kesari
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Ingredients to make semiya kesari
- 1 cup semiya or vermicelli
- ½ to ¾ cup Sugar
- 1/8 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 Pinch saffron or kesari color
- 1 ½ cups water (refer notes)
- 2 tbsp ghee
- 10 cashews split or as desired
- 10 raisins or as desired
Instructions
Preparation for semiya kesari
- Bring water to a boil in a pot on stove or microwave.
- Heat a heavy bottom pot or pan with ghee.
- Next add cashew nuts and fry them till light golden.
- Then add raisins and fry until they swell up. Remove these to a plate.
- Add semiya to the pan and roast them lightly on a medium flame.
- Do not let them brown. If using roasted semiya skip this step of roasting.
How to make semiya kesari
- Pour hot water to the pan and increase the flame till the water begins to boil rapidly.
- Next add saffron and cardamom powder.
- Reduce the flame to medium and cook till the semiya is fully cooked.
- If needed you can sprinkle some water if the semiya is under cooked.
- Add sugar and stir gently. Sugar begins to melt and release moisture.
- Cook till all the moisture evaporates and comes to a semi dry consistency.
- Garnish semiya kesari with nuts and raisins. If desired can add a tsp of ghee.
Notes
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
Varun says
No Milk?
swasthi says
Yes no water. If you want use half water and half milk
Praveena says
came out well mam..
swasthi says
Thank you
Margaret Ortigo says
I had this yesterday at an Indian restaurant and it was wonderful. Very glad to have found this recipe for it,
swasthi says
Hi Margaret Ortigo,
Hope you enjoy it. Thank you!!
Roshni says
Super easy and tasty!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
swasthi says
Welcome Roshni
ancy gimmy says
semiya keseri looks really mouthwatering .
nagendra says
i love semiya
priya says
Very nice looking,I also do n the same way but don’t know y taste never comes up
swasthi says
Try using full fat milk priya.
Nikhitha says
Simply and super…!
swasthi says
Thanks Nikhitha
🙂
Vimitha says
I love this anytime… yummmm
Roshni says
like it!! I also made semiya kesari once..
PT says
very innovative semiya.. liked it..