What is Sheer Korma?

Sheer Korma literally means Vermicelli Pudding. This is a preparation had by people in Arab Countries, Pakistan and India. It is usually had by Muslims on the Festival of Eid-Ul-Fitr along with Biryani.

The ingredients for this preparation are:

120 gms vermicelli
4 cups milk
1/4 tbsp saffron
5 tbs sugar or more if required
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
1 tbs. charoli wiped with cloth
10 almonds blanched
15 Pistachios blanched
2 tbs kishmis cleaned
8 to 10 drops of rose essence.
1 tbs clarified butter.
2 silver varks (leaves)

It is best eaten hot and just out of the pan.

How to Make:

Heat the saffron in a small metal bowl on very low fire, shaking the bowl all the time so that the saffron threads do not turn. When cooled, crush it with fingertips and keep aside.
Heat clarified butter in a heavy-bottomed pan, lower the fire, put in the vermicelli and fry to a light golden colour. Pour a cup of water.
In a few minutes the vermicelli would become soft. Pour milk and cook for 8 minutes.
Add sugar and simmer for another few minutes till a little thick.
Cut blanched almonds and Pistachios into fine slivers. Add half of these along with Charoli, Cardamom powder, Kishmis, crushed Saffron and rose essence.
Either rose essence or saffron should be used to keep the flavour pure.

Pour the ready Shirkhurma in a big glass bowl and sprinkle the remaining slivers of almond and pistachios. Garnish with silver varg and serve hot or cold.