Moong Dal Sheera

This recipe is ambrosia for all sweet lovers, especially those fond of sheera. This coarse-textured, hot sweet takes a long time to cook, soak the saffron in warm milk for at least 20 minutes as it adds colour and enhances the aroma.


Ingredients
1 cup yellow moong dal (split yellow gram), soaked for 3 hours
a few saffron (kesar) strands
3/4 cup ghee
1 cup warm milk
1 1/4 cups sugar
1/2 tbsp cardamom 


For The Garnish
a few almond slivers
a few pistachio slivers
a few saffron strands


Method
    Drain the moong dal, add 1 tbsp of water and blend in a mixer to a coarse paste. Keep aside.
    Dissolve the saffron in 1 tbsp of warm milk and keep aside.
    Heat the ghee in a broad non-stick kadhai, add the moong dal paste and cook on a slow flame for 40 to 45 minutes or till it becomes golden brown in colour, while stirring continuously.
    Add the warm milk and 1 cup of warm water, mix well and cook on a slow flame for another 3 to 4 minutes or till all the liquid is absorbed, while stirring continuously.
    Add the sugar and mix well. Cover and cook on a slow flame for 15 to 17 minutes or till the ghee separates, while stirring occasionally.
    Add the prepared saffron-milk mixture and cardamom powder and mix well.
    Serve hot garnished with almond, pistachio slivers and saffron strands.