Why Is Sheer Khurma Special (With A Recipe To Make It For Eid-Ul-Fitr)

Muslims in India are celebrating Eid 2020 today. The season of festivities is here once again and is being celebrated under lockdown for the first time. Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of holy month of Ramadan and is also known as Meethi Eid. Mostly because the day is incomplete without Sheer Khurma, one of the most delicious desserts in the world.

A Brief History Of Sheer Khurma

In the interest of keeping things simple, Sheer means milk in Persian and khurma means dates. The dessert is a delicious as well as a nutritious mix of sewai (vermicelli), dates and milk. This simple yet delicious dessert is versatile as it can be served hot or cold.

Dates are one of the main ingredients and it enhances the flavour of Sheer Khurma like no other sugar. In any case, dates have always been an integral part of Ramadan, as for most people, their fast is broken when they consume dates, given its long history of being a significant food in Prophet Mohammad’s life. On a practical side, they are quite nutritious and help to keep the mind and body rejuvenated.

In India, Sheer Khurma is very popular in Hyderabad and Northern cities such as Lucknow. Sheer Khurma is rich and creamy and tastes best when it is slow-cooked. The garnish on the dessert included dried dates and coconut along with various nuts like almonds, cashew nuts and pistachios.

How To Make Sheer Khurma

Making this scrumptious dessert at home isn’t easy but with a little help, it can be done. Here’s a relatively easy way to make Sheer Khurma at home.

Ingredients:

5 cups milk, full cream

50 grams vermicelli (broken into small pieces), roasted

50 grams coconut (dried), grated

1/2 cup sugar

2 green cardamoms

2 tbsp. dates, chopped

10-12 raisins

1/4 cup almonds (cut into pieces), blanched

1/2 tsp khus

2-3 vark leaves (basically silver foil commonly found on barfis)

See Also

Seeking Sekanjabin, An Ancient Persian Cooler, In Mumbai

Method:

1) In a wide pan, simmer the milk till it thickens to the consistency of cream.

2) Add the vermicelli, coconut, sugar, cardamom, dates and half of the raisins and almonds

3) Bring to boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes.

4) Add the vetiver. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with silver leaves and remaining almonds and raisins.

5) Serve hot or cold.

Sheer Khurma

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian

Keyword dates desserts, eid desserts, middle eastern desserts, milk desserts, sheer khurma

Ingredients

• 5 cups milk with full cream
• 50 gms vermicelli
• 50 gms dried coconut grated
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2-3 units cardamom
• 12-14 units raisins
• 2 tbsp dates chopped
• 1/4 cup almonds blanched and cut into pieces
• 1/2 tbsp khus
• 2-3 units vark leaves

Instructions

• In a wide pan, simmer the milk until it thickens to the consistency of cream
• Add the vermicelli, coconut, sugar, cardamom, dates and halfof the raisins and almonds
• Bring everything to a boil and then simmer for about 5 minutes
• Add the khus and stir everything together
• Transfer everything into a serving bowl
• Garnish with silver leaves and remaining almonds and raisins
• Serve hot or cold

Enjoy this special drink on a special day and celebrate Eid Ul Fitr in the sweetest way possible.