SEMOLINA N DALIA KHEER

A beautiful, sunny morning and I am sitting at the favourite corner of our couch. As usual, I am taken over by many a thoughts. I was happy with my performance at yesterday's Marathon event.... I am not a runner, I jog, in fact, I brisk walk, most importantly I absolutely enjoy it. Walking together with varied people, the smiles at me coming from unknown quarters give me pleasure. I was thinking of the yesteryear's lethargic, fat, quiet girl who was never fond of any kind of sports. Some of my childhood buddies would echo with me. Today, when they pat my back, they mean it, and I am as much proud of their achievements..... big or small. My participation in the school sports was limited to taking part in the MarchPast event as it was compulsory, thereafter I clapped for my friends and brother. Even the mother won medals in the parents' events. The father would never attend our school events, it was the mother always. The father and his brother next played football for the smaller clubs in Kolkata, the father got arthritis and the uncle went back to Assam. Whilst the brother and mother brought home cups and medals every year on our school's sports event, I was happy with the cake, banana & apple every student  would get for the participation. I was born a foodie.

Hence, to me doing a half marathon is a pretty big thing given my medical condition and BMI. Age? Do not you give it much of importance. Feeling young, you remain young. Just when the mind was in such a happy state, yesterday evening we got the news of a death at the race event...... the person was just 29 years old, collapsed just a kilometre away from the finishing line and died later in the hospital.... too saddening a news. I am not a seasoned or experienced runner, yet I would suggest not to push yourself too hard, do not over exercise or follow too strict a diet; listen to your body. Relax, we are not in a competitive run and most of our bodies are not trained as such. Go in your own pace and enjoy the ride.

I am just sitting idle, unable to go for a walk with the body aches and thinking of the bereaved family. I strongly felt I should compile a recipe post to get out of my present thought process. Not in the mood to write an elaborate recipe, I thought of sharing this simple dessert recipe of kheer / pudding done with semolina [suji] and dalia [broken wheat]. This recipe is nothing but a modification of our very own Sujir Payesh [semolina kheer] that we grew up eating. After our son was born, I tried to give him such proteins like dalia, now I use it for myself as a substitute for rice. At times, I mix both and prepare either a halwa or a ladoo or a kheer that is liked by my men. Let us prepare this easy recipe of Semolina n Dalia Kheer together.

INGREDIENTS :

Full Cream Milk : 2lt
Sugar : 11/2medium cup [or according to your tastebud]
Dalia [broken wheat] : 1/2small cup
Semolina : 1/4small cup
Cashew nut : 7-8 [halved]
Raisin : 10-12
Bayleaf : 1-2
Green Cardamom : 2-3
Ghee [clarified butter] : 1-2tbsp
Garnish as you wish or do not.....

METHOD :

Soak the raisins in water for an hour. Heat the ghee [clarified butter] in a wok. Dry roast the semolina and dalia for about five minutes till they are light brown.

Pour the milk in a heavy bottomed vessel, switch on the gas stove and boil adding the bayleaf till it thickens. Add the semolina and dalia mix. Stir well, cover and let cook for 6-8 minutes stirring every 2 minutes.

Add the sugar, stir and let boil for another 6-8 minutes. Add the cashew nuts, raisins, discarding the water and the green cardamoms tearing them a bit. Boil for 4-5 minutes. It is done.

Transfer to a serving bowl, let cool, refrigerate and serve chilled.