Discover how to cook this iconic Awadhi festive dessert
Festive seasons always call for special culinary delights, and Eid al-Fitr - lovingly referred to as Meethi Eid - is the perfect occasion to satisfy your sweet tooth. Families across Odisha and beyond gather to share happiness and traditional treats. If you want to elevate your dessert menu this year, try mastering a classic Awadhi delicacy. Creating a rich, saffron-infused vermicelli dish brings authentic royal flavors right into your home kitchen, ensuring a memorable celebration for your loved ones.
Gathering the right components is crucial for achieving that authentic taste. You will need 200 grams of fine vermicelli, half a cup of crumbled mawa, and a cup each of sugar and water. Richness comes from four tablespoons of pure ghee and three-quarters of a cup of milk. For flavouring, keep handy some crushed cardamoms, cloves, a pinch of saffron strands, and a teaspoon of rose water. Finally, chop up two tablespoons each of almonds, cashews, and pistachios, along with some raisins for garnish.
Begin by breaking your fine vermicelli into manageable pieces and keeping them aside. Grab a deep pot to combine the milk, water, and sugar. Toss in the saffron strands, cloves, and crushed cardamom. Let this fragrant mixture come to a gentle rolling boil. Allow it to simmer quietly until the sugar completely dissolves. Stir in the rose water right at the end, then turn off the heat and set the vessel aside.
Place a heavy-bottomed pan on the stove and warm up the pure ghee. Drop in your chopped dry fruits and nuts, roasting them gently until they turn aromatic and crisp. Scoop them out and keep them ready for later. In that same ghee-coated pan, toss in the broken vermicelli pieces. Sauté them patiently over a medium flame until they develop a beautiful golden-brown hue.
Carefully pour your previously prepared fragrant syrup over the roasted vermicelli. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure even cooking. Keep the pan on a low flame until the delicate strands turn delightfully soft and absorb all the sweet liquid. Once the texture is perfect, fold in the crumbled mawa and your roasted crunchy nuts. Mix thoroughly, and your luxurious Shahi Kemami Sewai recipe is ready to be served warm!
