Pineapple Kesari (pineapple suji ka halwa) is commonly served in marriages. It is a classic sweet dish prepared with rava and pineapple. I learn’t this from my mother who is an expert in making kesari. Many of you have tried my rava kesari (which is also my mother’s recipe) and have given me positive feedback. This is a fool proof recipe which even beginners can try with confidence. Now that Diwali is round the corner, you can prepare this dessert and share it with your friends and loved ones. Today we will learn how to make pineapple fruit kesari following this easy recipe with step wise pictures.
Pineapple Kesari
Prep Time : 10 mins
Cook Time : 20 mins
Serves: 4-5
Recipe Category: Dessert
Recipe Cuisine: South Indian
Author:Padhu Sankar
Serves: 4-5
Recipe Category: Dessert
Recipe Cuisine: South Indian
Author:Padhu Sankar
Ingredients needed
Rava-sooji -1/2 cup
Sugar-1 cup
Ghee-clarified butter -1/2 cup
Water -1 1/2 cup
Pineapple -chopped -1/2 cup
Cashew nuts- 10
Cardamom powder -4-5 powdered
Yellow food color or kesari color – 2 drops or a pinch
Preparation
Dry roast rava slightly until it is hot to touch.
Heat a tsp of oil and fry cashew nuts on low heat until golden brown.
Cut pineapple, discard the skin and core. Chop the pineapple flesh into small cubes and keep it aside.
Method
Heat the rest of the ghee and fry the rava in ghee for 2-3 minutes.
Let the rava get roasted slightly in ghee.
Now add the chopped pineapple and mix well.
Bring 1 1/2 cup of water to boil, add a pinch of food color or kesari powder in it.
Now add the boiling water to the rava, stirring continuously. Cook the rava on medium flame.
Once all the water has evaporated, add sugar. When you add sugar, the mixture will turn watery again.
Cook the rava well on medium or low flame.
When it starts leaving the sides of the pan (picture below) add fried cashew nuts,cardamom powder and switch off the heat.
As it cools it will thicken. This Kesari stays good at room temperature for 2 days and for nearly 4-5 days in the refrigerator. The second day it tastes even better with a nice pineapple flavor.
You can even make slices as shown below on the second day. Pack into a baking pan after preparing kesari, sprinkle or place cashew nuts on the top. Leave it to cool. Then you can cut it into slices.
Enjoy making this classic pineapple dessert this Diwali. Do not miss my lovely collection of Diwali Recipes
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It's really yummy. Can we use pineapple essence instead of pine apple pieces?
You can add pineapple essence in addition to pineapple pieces. Adding pineapple chunks gives a great taste to the kesari.
Perfect Taste and texture – it was so yummy . Thanks a lot padhu for sharing the recipe
can i add turmeric instead of kesari powder. bcoz kesari powder available in orange colour but i want kesari in yellow colour. can i add turmeric?
No, you cannot add the turmeric powder we use for cooking. If Kesari powder is not available, skip it. The kesari will be white in color. That's it.
My mother (who hates food colouring) taught me to use turmeric powder to give the yellow colour. Just use a pinch. No difference to taste or anything.
I use turmeric only for kesari. No difference in taste the aroma of ghee equalizes the aroma of tumeric.
Can I puree the pineapple? Would help for my 3 year old…
Yes, you can but add a little less. Also reduce the quantity of water a little.
Looks yummy.. Going to try this for the first time for my hubby's birthday.
Aha
can i keep slices ready one day in advance
Yes, you can but store it in the refrigerator.
Thank you for the recipe. It was really yummy. I used pineapple essence instead of cardamom and it tasted good.
Amazing receipe…. it has earned me a lot of respect in my friends group. Lol.
Thanks Padhu.
I have tried many of Ur receipes….good work…..keep going
Can we use the food coloring gel that we use for cakes ?
Yes, you can or even leave it plain without adding any color. Without color, it will not be visually appealing but will taste good.
Hello
Do we need to reduce the amount of water if we add pineapple chunks? I usually add 2 cups water to one cup of sooji
TIA
Just follow the above recipe – you will end up with a delicious pineapple kesari.
Will do
Thank u
Tried Ur recipe and turned out perfect..did not use colour..instead used saffron and pineapple chunks..thanks for the recipe..
It is really a foolproof recipe. Came out really well. I didn’t add colour. Since I used brown sugar, it had a nice light brown colour. This recipe is definitely a keeper. Thank you
Thanks Padhu. It came out awesome.
i have tried your badam halwa,pongal,sabudana payasam and other sweets. Your recipes are yum. Reminds me of my mom. And I am happy that I am able to replicate and get the same taste in my kitchen. Once again a big hug and thanks.
So happy to know. Glad you found padhuskitchen useful.
Not a good idea to add boiling water to rava mixture it will form lumps and for people who are trying first time will never try again