Rava Paayasam / Semolina Pudding

There are so many different kinds of paayasams (sweetened porridge/pudding). Of all the paayasams that can be made, this version with semolina/rava is one of the simplest and fastest, because rava cooks in no time!

Ingredients (serves 4):

1. 1/4 cup rava / semolina
2. 4 teaspoons ghee / clarified butter
3. 1 tablespoon almonds
4. 1 tablespoon raisins
5. 1/2 cup sugar
6. 1.25 cups milk
7. a pinch of saffron
8. 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

Preparation:

1. Heat milk for 2 minutes in the microwave. Mix saffron in it
2. Heat ghee in a medium saucepan
3. Roast rava, raisin and almonds  in the ghee until the rava begins to change color
4. Add 1.5 cups of water and keep stirring on medium heat until the mixture thickens and bubbles
5. Add the sugar and mix it in well. 
6. Once the sugar is mixed in, add the milk (with saffron) along with the cardamom powder
7. Cook for 5 minutes. Then, simmer for another 5 minutes 

Remove from heat and serve at room temperature or chilled. Add a little more milk before serving if it gets too thick while cooling.