Banana Sheera or Banana Halwa, How to make Suji Halwa for Prasad

Banana sheera is a sweet dish that is made usually at most puja functions, especially Satyanarayan puja.

Sheera is a term used used in Marathi for halwa. In hindi this recipe is called as banana suji halwa, while in English it can be called as banana semolina pudding.

Whether it is Ganesh puja, Devi puja or Satyanarayan puja, halwa or sheera is offered to God as Prasad. Especially in Maharashtra state, in community pujas and functions, this dish is always served as Prasad. Prasad means food that is first offered to the Deity and then served to the devotees.

The sounds of aarti and bhajans, the fragrance of the incense and garlands and the Sheera served along with Panchamrut is an experience in itself. Here in USA, I cannot recreate all these things in my home, but I can lit diyas and incense stick and make a good banana sheera as a small offerings to God on festivals.

I even make this banana sheera as a sweet, whenever I have few ripe bananas left out. Roasting suji is an important part of this recipe. It will take around 7-8 minutes continuous stirring in ghee (clarified butter) till its fragrant and its color changes. So lets make it. 

Step by step Banana sheera/halwa recipe:

1. First peel and mash banana using fork. I you want, you can chop or slice them as well.
   
2. Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cashews and fry them till cashews are golden brown.
   
3. Remove it and keep it aside.
   
4. Add sooji to ghee. And roast it stirring continuously till it starts getting fragrant. Don’t brown the semolina. Make sure to roast on medium low heat till it slightly changes color.
   
5. Add mashed banana and stir.
    
6. Combine the semolina and banana well so that it gives flavor in each and every bite.
   
7. Add the boiling water. Use one hand to stir as you add water. By doing this you will get lump free sheera.
   
8. Cook while stirring continuously till mixture becomes dry.
   
9. Add sugar and mix well. Keep stirring.
   
10. Cook till sheera leaves the sides of the pan and you will see some ghee oozing out from the sheera. Add cardamom powder.
    
11. Add cashews, raisins. Mix well and turn off the heat.
    
12. Put the Banana sheera in serving bowl and serve hot or warm.
    

Banana sheera or banana halwa recipe below:

Banana sheera Prep time Cook time Total  5 min  15 min  20 min An Indian sweet made with banana, semolina and sugar AUTHOR: Monali RECIPE TYPE: Indian sweet CUISINE: Indian SERVES: 4 INGREDIENTS (measuring cup used, 1 cup=237 ml) 1 cup semolina/suji/rava 4 tbsp. Ghee (clarified butter) 2 bananas 10-12 cashews 2½ cup of boiling water ¼ cup sugar or as required ¼ tsp cardamom powder  DIRECTION First peel and mash banana using fork. I you want, you can chop or slice them as well.   In one pan keep the water on medium heat and let it come to boil. Meanwhile start making sheera. Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once hot add cashews and fry them till cashews are golden brown. Remove it and keep it aside. Add sooji to ghee. And roast it stirring continuously till it starts getting fragrant. Don’t brown the semolina. Make sure to roast on medium low heat till it slightly changes color. Add mashed banana and stir. Combine the semolina and banana well so that it gives flavor in each and every bite. Add the boiling water. Use one hand to stir as you add water. By doing this you will get lump free sheera. Cook while stirring continuously till mixture becomes dry. Add sugar and mix well. Keep stirring. Cook till sheera leaves the sides of the pan and you will see some ghee oozing out from the sheera. Add cashews, raisins and cardamom powder Mix well and turn off the heat. Banana sheera is ready to be served.  NOTES You can substitute water with same amount of milk. I always use water if I am using banana in the sheera. When I make simple suji sheera, I use milk. You can garnish this sheera with some pomegranate seeds.  SERVING SUGGESTION It is usually served as Prasad during puja. But it can also be served as dessert along with your meal. Once it cools down completely, it can be stored in refrigerator in an air tight container upto 2 days. It refrigerated then re-heating is recommended before serving.