Suji

We are a bit confused about the right way to spell it. Most of the time we see it written as ‘Suji’, but then there’s ‘Soojie’ and even ‘Soojee’. Anyway, we’ve decided to stick with Suji, and it could easily be one of the most comforting drinks around.

A couple of things before we get to the recipe; we didn’t add any sugar as we found the condensed milk to be sweet enough. But you can of course sweeten it up as much as you like. Also, we prefer our Suji to have just a hint of rose water, but if you want a stronger rose water taste, feel free to add some more as well. Okay and the most important thing; make sure you brown the onions and the kanamadhu and the raisins well, that's where the nutty caramel like flavour comes from, but not to the point of burning though, so keep an eye on it.

Serves: 6 to 8

Ingredients:

• ½ cup semolina
• 1 cup kanamadhu
• 1 large onion
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (we used Double Peach)
• 5 cardamom pods, ends snipped off
• 6 inch piece of raanbaa, cut into two pieces
• 6 inch piece of cinnamon, broken down to two
• 5 cups water
• 2 ½ tbsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. rosewater

Instructions:

1. Slice the onion thinly.
2. In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp. of ghee, and when the ghee has melted and is well heated, add the onions and cardamom pods.
3. While stirring, cook the onions until they become brown, like those onion slices you get in biriyani.
4. Remove the onions and cardamom pods and set them aside.
5. Add the raisins to the same pot and while stirring cook them until they take on a deeper brown colour.
6. Remove the raisins from the pot and set aside.
7. Add the kanamadhu to the same pot along with ½ a tbsp. of ghee; stir and cook until the kanamadhu takes on a deeper brown colour.
8. Remove the kanamadhu from the pot and set aside.
9. Add 1 tbsp. ghee into the same pot and add the semolina; cook until the semolina takes on a golden tint.
10. Add the water, cinnamon sticks and raanbaa along with the onions, cardamom pods, raisins and kanamdhu you have already prepared.
11. Stir to combine everything, put the lid on and bring the mixture to a boil while keeping the heat on medium.
12. Add the condensed milk and rose water, stir to combine and let it simmer for another two to three minutes.