Sooji no Siro | Gujarati White Semolina Pudding

Sooji no Siro or Suji ka Halwa is a simple everyday Indian dessert made with semolina, milk, sugar and nuts. This siro is often made for prashad, especially satyanarayan katha, but can also be enjoyed anytime. Every family will have their own recipe for this halwa which is passed down generations.

Suji ka Halwa | Suji Sheera with Milk

Semolina = Sooji or Suji depending on the spelling. Siro/shiro/sheera and Halwa are both used interchangably as well.

Suji ka Halwa in English is called semolina pudding however it is far from the semolina pudding served in school dinners. This halwa is fluffy and spongy and has wonderful delicate flavours. It is made from coarse white semolina which is roasted with desi ghee until fragrant. Milk, sugar and warm flavourings are added for that extra special touch.

In South India, they too have a similar recipe called Rava Kesari or kesari-bath as rava is semolina in South India. In Bengali, this is known as sujir halua.

I call this particular recipe Gujarati Sooji no Siro because of the ingredients used that differ from North Indian Sheera.

What exactly is Halwa?

Halwa or halva is a sweet confection found in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other surrounding countries such as Afghanistan and Iran. Halwa is not a single type of sweet but more an umbrella term for many different recipes that share similaries. Either a grain, lentil or vegetable is cooked in some form and forms the base of the halwa. Sugar and milk or water will then be added to it alongisde aromatic spices.

If you do a google search, it is most likely that sooji halwa will be first as that is mostly referred to as “halwa”.

Some halwa variations that we love are:

Gajar Halwa – A delicious winter Indian dessert made from grated carrots, milk and sugar. You can use red or orange carrots for this recipe.

Dudhi Halwa – A perfect summer sweet dish prepared using grated bottle gourd, milk and sugar, also known as Lauki Ka Halwa.

Rajgira Halwa – This recipe uses amaranth flour, great for fasting, it is easy and quick recipe.

Moong Dal Halwa – One of the most popular dessert made from moong dal and it is perfect for Diwali, Holi or Raksha Bandhan.

Habshi Halwa – Very popular north Indian delicacy made from sprouted wheat, milk, sugar and spices.

Badam Halwa – Personally my favourite, comprise ground almonds, milk and sugar.

Shakkaria Siro – Sweet potato halwa ideal for fasting, so easy and delicious.

Aate ka Halwa with Mawa – Delicious Indian dessert made with whole wheat flour, sugar, ghee and for extra richness mawa added to this amazing North Indian style sweet.

Difference between North Indian Sheera and Gujarati/Maharastrian Siro

There are differences between the ingredients, cooking technique, taste and appearance of North Indian sheera and Gujarati Siro.

In North Indian water added to the Sheera, it has a stickier texture and is brown in colour.

Gujarati siro is white/cream in colour and fluffy with separate grains and it is made with milk. Though the siro is white, is it still well roasted and cooked properly. The halwa is cooked further after adding the milk. This style of siro is prepared for Satyanarayan Katha.

Shiro for Satyanarayan Katha Prasad + Mahaprasad

What is satyanarayan katha?

Satyanarayan katha is a religious obervance or ritual of worship of the Hindu god Vishnu, who symbolises eternal truth. It is performed to show gratitude and to seek blessing from Lord Vishnu.

The katha or puja can be performed anyday but often it will be carried out prior to a new beginning or start.

Katha are often kept in peoples houses and many people are invited from extended family to friends. The katha or story is recited and puja performed.

Satyanarayan katha no siro

This siro is made particularly for when satyanarayan katha is held. In the katha, the recipe for the siro is even given. It is mainly served with fruit and panchamrat – a holy drink made with 5 ingredients.

My Mum would make this siro often randomly throughout the year but there is something about sitting in a katha having to wait to eat it!

The siro for prashad follows the same recipe for sooji no siro except for two additions.

Prashad siro is always made with milk, and not with water. Banana is added to the siro if serving for Satyarayan katha. It is believe that Lord Vishnu love banana, hence banana leaves also used for katha/pooja purpose too. Tulsi or Indian Basil is added as a garnish for the siro.

Also, the measurements of the ingredients are measured as 1.25 of a cup. The ratio remains the same.

Are Rava and Suji same as semolina?

Sooji or suji (pronounced soo-jee), and Rava (pronounced ruh-waa), both are Indian words for granulated wheat, or else known as semolina.

In northers parts of south Asia countries like India, Pakistan and Nepal uses the word Suji and the Rava is used in south India.

In India sooji and rava are white in colour and this is slowly making its way to the UK. You can now buy white semolina in Indian shops.

Ingredients for Sooji no Siro

We use the ratio 1:1:1:3 for semolina, ghee, sugar and milk. This ratio will make sure that the siro is not dry, will not be sticky and not stick in your mouth. It will be light, fluffy and spongy.

• Semolina – use coarse white semolina. Using coarse rather than fine semolina gives better texture to the siro. If you are using shop bought semolina in the UK, it might be italian semolina which is more cream in colour. In india you can find white semolina. In the UK, we get Italian semolina which is cream in colour so this may make your siro creamier in colour.
• Milk – use full fat milk or whole milk for the best taste and texture.
• Ghee – use homemade desi ghee. Ensure the ghee is melted before measuring it out otherwise it will not be accurate.
• Sugar – granulated white sugar to keep the siro white in colour as unrefined sugar causes it to go brown.
• Nuts – chopped mixed nuts like almond and cashew is used. Sliver or chop the nuts before adding. You can leave out the nuts if making for a large gathering for any nut allergies. Instead garnish it with fresh fruit or Glacé cherries also known as candid cherries.
• Flavourings – cardamom powder is our choice here. Saffron is sometimes added.

If making for prashad/religious purpose:

• Ripe banana
• Tulsi – Indian basil for garnishing

How to make perfect Suji ka Halwa easily + tips

Sooji siro is a simple dessert yet you need to follow a few tips to make sure it is perfect! Follow these, and you will find that suji halwa is easy to make!

Take a measurement of melted ghee and add to a kadai or heavy bottom pan

Add the semolina and roast on low heat for 2-3 minutes ensuring the colour of the semolina doesn’t change.

Meanwhile, warm milk on the side in a serpate pan. Add to the semolina once the milk is hot. Keep the heat on low still. Add the milk quarter by quarter giving you time to stir in between.

It will begin to thicken, and at this point add the sugar and continue to stir and roast for 6-7 minutes. You will start to see ghee release and the semolina grains become separate.

Add cardamom powder and nuts.

If making sooji halwa for prashad or satyaranyan katha, add chopped ripe banana at this point.

Tips for the best gujarati Sooji No Siro:

For sooji no siro, best use coarse or even extra coarse semolina.

Whichever bowl/vatki/katori you are using for the measurement, use the same bowl for each measurement for accuracy.

Roast the semolina on low heat until it is fragrant as low heat ensures the semolina will not burn and will properly roast without changing colour.

Use a heavy bottomed and wide mouth pan – this again prevents burning and easy to stir.

Continuously stir – to avoid burning the semolina and prevent lumps forming.

When measuring ghee, measure it melted and not in solid form as the amount will change.

Milk should be warm/hot when it is added so that the siro will not be sticky.

What to serve with Sooji No Siro

Suji no siro is a delicious creamy sweet dish, that can be served as a dessert any time of the day. Sooji Siro best tastes at room temperature.

If you are offering as a prasad, serve or distribute this halwa along with fruits such as banana, chikko and apple.

Enjoy it at breakfast with aloo tamatar sabji or chana bateta with poori.

It is great for lunch as part of a Gujarati thali or after a spicy meal with gujarati rotlis and Niramish Paneer

Of course, it’s great on its own as a treat or sweet snack.

FAQS

How to make Sooji No Siro

Making sooji no siro is quite straight forward and quick dessert recipe, only important things to keep in mind that is to follow accurate measurements.

1. In a pan take melted ghee, add semolina.
2. On a very low heat fry it for 4 minutes, don’t let the colour change.
3. You’ll able to see small bubbles.
4. Add milk.
5. Keep stirring until mixture go slightly thick like a porridge.
6. Add green/yellow raisins, mix well and cook further.
7. Add sugar, sugar will release some water. Keep cooking/stirring on low heat.
8. Once the moisture dries up, slowly ghee will separate from the halwa mixture. This is the sign of that halwa has cooked perfectly.
9. Add cardamom powder, combine well.
10. Turn off the heat, add half of the nuts. mix well.

Other Semolina recipes you may like to try:

• COCONUT HALWA | SOOJI NARIYAL KA HALWA
• CARAMEL RAVA LADOO
• BEST SOOJI GUJIYA (SEMOLINA GUJIYA)
• SAVOURY PUMPKIN SEMOLINA WAFFLES

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Note – This recipe has been updated from our recipe archives with new images and content, but the recipe remains the same. First time published in May 2012.