Tricolor Kesari Halwa

Ingredients

• Semolina (sooji or rava) - 1 cup
• Ghee - 3/4 cup
• Sugar - 2 cup
• Water - 3 cup
• Salt - 1 pinch
• Orange food coloring - 3 whole
• Green food coloring - 3 whole
• Cashew nuts (optional)
• Raisins (optional)

Instructions

1. 1Heat the ghee in a wide-bottomed pan over low flame until it is fragrant and shimmering.
2. 2Add the semolina to the hot ghee and fry on low flame, stirring constantly, until it gives off a nutty aroma and turns a light golden color.
3. 3While the semolina is roasting, bring the water to a boil in a separate pan.
4. 4Carefully pour the boiled water into the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
5. 5Stir continuously until all the water is absorbed and the mixture begins to thicken.
6. 6Add the sugar and the pinch of salt, mix well, and cook until the mixture reaches a smooth halwa consistency.
7. 7Switch off the flame and let the halwa cool just enough to handle.
8. 8Divide the halwa into three bowls; add 3 drops of green food coloring to one bowl, leave one bowl plain, and add 3 drops of orange food coloring to the third, stirring each bowl until the color is even.
9. 9Grease a shallow pan with a little ghee and press the green layer into the pan, smoothing it evenly with the back of a spoon.
10. 10Spoon the plain layer over the green and smooth it, then top with the orange layer and flatten it evenly.
11. 11Let the layered halwa cool for some time, then cut into desired shapes and remove from the pan.
12. 12Optional: toast cashew nuts and lightly fry raisins in a little ghee and scatter them over the halwa just before serving for extra texture and flavor.