Banana sheera for me always conjures up memories of being invited to beautiful satyanarayan pujas. This was a sweet we never ate at home and was my favourite part of the puja, something I would eagerly look forward to. It was always a bit frustrating to receive so little as prasad, although as kids, we would sometimes turn on the charm and ask for more. The elders were always happy to oblige.

It was such a joy to learn to make this, and it remains one of my favorite dishes to whip up when cousins come visiting, as this is always, always a hit.

Traditionally for the puja, they use 1 cup of all the first five ingredients, along with a cup of water. This being too rich and too sweet for me, I tend to reduce the quantities a bit.

Ingredients:

1 cup semolina/ suji
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup ghee
2 cups milk
1 cup mashed banana
3 tbsp raisins and nuts
¼ tsp nutmeg powder

Method:

Heat the ghee and add the rava. Roast.

While the rava is still roasting, heat the milk and sugar together.

Once the rava is fragrant, pour the hot milk in and continue cooking. Be careful at this stage as the milk tends to boil violently and splash all over the place. Be ready with a lid to be safe.

Cook until it is nearly dry, and then add the raisins and banana.

Take off the flame when it has reached a semi solid consistency.

Heat some ghee and add the nuts. When light brown, pour them onto the sheera.

Serve Hot.

Serves 2 for breakfast, or 4 as dessert