SWEET CONCOCTIONS WITH SEVIYAN | Easy to Make Amazing to Cherish…

BY: DR. KAVIRAJ KHIALANI – CELEBRITY MASTER CHEF.

Vermicelli is a traditional type of pasta round in section similar to spaghetti. In English-speaking regions, it is usually thinner than spaghetti, while in Italy it is typically thicker. The term vermicelli is also used to describe various types of thin noodles from Asia.

Out of the various ingredients used for making upma and payassam, the Vermicelli, also known as Semiya (in Tamil), Seviyan (Hindi), Shemai (Bengali), finds a special mention. It is popular in several Indian states and is most commonly used for preparing a sweet preparation similar to kheer.

Also to note that as vermicelli is high-calorie food rich in simple carbohydrates, it is not a good meal option for weight loss. Vermicelli/ Sevai/ Semiya which is made from Sooji and no Maida i.e. refined wheat flour. Vermicelli is an effortless, healthy, and wholesome breakfast recipe. It’s high in fiber and low in calories too these days by some brands and companies.

Nutritionally vermicelli is calorie-dense and high in carbs, fat and cholesterol free low in sodium. A great alternative to other forms of pasta and oats liked by all irrespective of age. Breakfast prepared with vermicelli are incredibly delicious which is also good for toddlers and pregnant women.

The extra fiber in brown rice means it is a bit lower on the glycemic index (GI), with a score of 50—compared to 72 for white rice. Rice vermicelli scores a 58 on the glycemic index, so it’s in between these scores.

Rice noodles are also called rice sticks, vermicelli and other variations of these words. The noodles are naturally gluten free with a typical ingredient list of rice flour and water. Vermicelli actually refers to the width of the noodle rather than the flour it is made of.

Here are a few easy to make yet delicious concoctions to try out this festive season!

Recipe-1] DILKHUSH NUTKHUT SEVIYAN

Ingredients:

• Seviyan- ½ packet/ 1 and a half cup, semi- roasted
• Ghee-1 tsp
• Sugar- 1 cup or as per taste
• Honey-2-3 tsp
• Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
• Cashew powder-1 tsp
• Almond powder-1 tsp
• Raisins- 2 tsp, chopped
• Milk-750 ml or as needed
• Mava – 100 gms, grated
• Condensed milk- ¼ cup

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients as per the recipe sheet and as per quantities given in above.
2. using a thick bottomed pan, add ghee, seviyan, sugar and start roasting it all lightly on a low to medium flame, add in the milk and stir well.
3. reduce the flame and stir well ensuring there are no lumps in the pan. Add in some of the nuts and mix well, simmer and allow to cook for 6- 8 mins.
4. add in mava, condensed milk and stir well. Check for sugar as per taste and add more if needed. Add honey and mix well. Cook for another 3-4 mins and turn off the flame.
5. portion out the sweet in a serving dish or in individual bowls, dessert cups and garnish it well with nuts, dried rose petals etc and raisins, dates etc can also be used to adorn the sweet. At times I also use dark chocolate garnishes or shavings as well on the chilled dessert as an option.

Recipe-2] VERMICELLI KHEER SHORTS

Ingredients:

• Ghee-1 tsp
• Vermicelli- 1 and a half cup, semi roasted
• Sugar- 1 cup or as needed
• Milk-750 ml or as needed
• Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
• Mava- 1 tbsp. grated
• Condensed milk-2-3 tsp
• Chopped nuts-2-3 tsp
• To layer in the glasses later for serving:
• Rabdi- 1 and a half cup
• Assorted fresh fruits- 1 cup
• Glazed cherries- 1-2 tsp sliced
• Rose syrup/ khus syrup-1-2 tsp

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the sweet recipe as per the list above.
2. To start with the cooking of the sweet, heat ghee in a thick bottomed pan, add in ghee add vermicelli, sugar and stir well, lightly saute add in the green cardamom powder, add in milk and give it all a nice stir.
3. allow the sweet to simmer and cook for around 10-12 mins, now add in the nuts and also cook it further for 3-4 mins on low flame. The texture of the sweet needs to be a little thick and creamy therefore a little condensed milk may be added too.
4. check the sweetness and overall balance in the recipe and then choose to turn it off. Allow the sweet to cool down and chill for 30- 45 mins.
5. now to start the layering of the sweet, choose between sweet glasses, cups, pudding bowls etc and place a little of the seviyan
   sweet at the base and then layer with fresh fruits, rabdi, nuts and add some cherries, tooti frooti etc to add some crunch and color.
6. allow the glasses to chill in the fridge for around 30- 45 mins and then serve the dessert.

Recipe-3] FUSION FUNDA WALI SEVIYAN

Ingredients:

• Butter-1 tsp
• Ghee-1 tsp
• Brown sugar-1/2 cup
• White sugar-1/2 cup
• Seviyan-1 and a half cup
• White chocolate-1/2 cup melted
• Dark chocolate -1/2 cup melted
• Milk- 750 ml
• Green cardamom powder/ cinnamon powder-1 pinch
• Angoori Gulab jamuns- 10-12 pieces
• Angoori rasmalai- 10-12 pieces
• Cashews-2 tsp chopped
• Raisins-2 tsp chopped
• Walnuts-2 tbsp. chopped
• Dates-2 tbsp. chopped
• Rose water-2 tsp
• Praline- ¼ cup crushed/ chikki
• Rose petals- ½ cup optional for garnish
• Edible varq- 1-2 pieces for garnish.

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the sweet as listed above and keep ready.
2. to start preparing the sweet using a thick bottomed pan, add ghee and butter and saute the vermicelli for a few seconds, add in the white and brown sugar, some green cardamom or cinnamon powder for flavor.
3. add in the milk and chopped dates and allow to simmer and cook. Once the seviyan starts cooking we need to check on the texture of the sweet to ensure that the thickness, sweetness and overall balance is maintained.
4. once the seviyan starts thickening the sweet, turn off the flame and allow to cool. Now start with the fusion aspect of coating the rasmalai with dark chocolate and the jamuns with white chocolate, once coated, allow to set in the fridge for some time.
5. now start with the assembling of the sweet, use dessert cups, short glasses, pudding bowls, start with the kheer first and then layer the set chocolate goodies, cover with the little more seviyan mixture and then garnish with nuts, petals and garnishes as desired.
6. chill the dessert for another 30-45 mins before serving it out. The chilling in the fridge adds a lot of dimension and texture as well to the sweet dish.

Recipe- 4] KHAJOOR WALI SEVIYAN

Ingredients:

• Ghee-1 tsp
• Oil-1 tsp
• Honey-1 tbsp.
• Seviyan- 1 and a half cup
• Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
• Sugar- ½ cup white
• Jaggery-1/2 cup grated
• Milk- 750 ml
• Mava- 50 gms grated.
• Condensed milk-1/4 cup
• Assorted chopped nuts- 2 tbsp. cashews, walnuts, raisins.
• Date puree-1/2 cup
• Melted dark chocolate/ choco chips- ¼ cup

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the recipe as listed above and keep ready.
2. to start with the cooking of the sweet dish, we need to take a thick bottomed pan, add in the ghee, oil etc and start roasting process of the seviyan add elaichi powder, sugar to taste and stir well.
3. add in the milk and allow to come to a boil, once the sweet starts to cook, it starts thickening add in the jaggery and mix well. Add some honey and condensed milk as well to get the right sweetness.
4. simmer and allow to cook for 10-12 mins, check for sweetness, texture and get the right balance in the sweet. It is important to taste the sweet while being cooked so that there is no over powering. Also we must ensure that the sweet doesn’t stick at the base.
5. turn off and allow to cool and chill the sweet, add nits to garnish the sweet dish. This dessert turns out the best when well chilled, add chocolate sauce/chips and add some fresh fruits as well like strawberries/ kiwi/ dragon fruit etc to add a little variety in the look and presentation.

Recipe- 5] KHUSH MIJAZ SEVIYAN

Ingredients:

• Ghee- 1 tsp
• Butter-1 tsp
• Seviyan -1 and a half cup
• White sugar- ½ cup
• Condensed milk-1/4 cup
• Green cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
• Saffron-1/4 tsp soaked in ½ cup warm milk
• Chopped cashews- 2 tsp
• Raisins-2 tsp chopped
• Almonds-2 tsp chopped
• Dates-2 tsp chopped
• Milk- 750 ml
• Kesari pedha- 50 gms
• Rabdi-1 cup

Method:

1. prepare all the ingredients for the sweet recipe and keep aside.
2. to start the cooking process take a thick bottomed pan and add in ghee/butter add in the vermicelli, sugar, elaichi, and saute well for a few seconds.
3. add in the milk and condensed milk and give it a nice mix. Allow to simmer for 10-12 mins. Check for the sweetness and adjust it accordingly.
4. once the sweet starts getting thick, add in the roughly crumbled kesari pedha and dates and mix well. Turn off the flame and allow to cool.
5. set the sweet in small dessert cups/bowls etc and allow to set in the fridge for 30-45 mins. Add nuts for garnish and relish the sweet. For some more added fusion touch to it, try adding a jalebi injected with rum, flamed and place it on the top and enjoy it.