Thari Kachiyathu - Semolina Milk Drink
A traditional warm Malabar drink made with semolina and milk, finished with a unique ghee tempering. Light, nourishing, and comforting, this is a regular item on our iftar table.
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
For the semolina milk
- 500 ml full-fat milk
- 250 ml water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons semolina (rava)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- a pinch of salt optional
For the tempering
- 1 tablespoon ghee
- 5 to 8 whole cashews split and chopped
- 1 tablespoon golden raisins
- 4 mini shallots finely sliced
Instructions
- Heat the milk and water in a deep saucepan over medium heat, just until they are about to boil.500 ml full-fat milk, 250 ml water
- Lower the heat and add the semolina, sugar, and cardamom in a thin stream, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.3 to 4 tablespoons semolina, 2 to 3 tablespoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder, a pinch of salt
- Cook on low to medium heat, stirring frequently. The mixture should remain thin and light, not thick like porridge. Once it settles into a gentle simmer, reduce the heat to low and move on to preparing the tempering.
- Heat the ghee in a small pan over medium heat. Add the cashews and sliced shallots or onions and sauté until they turn golden. Add the raisins and stir until they puff up.1 tbsp ghee, 5 to 8 whole cashews, 4 mini shallots, 1 tbsp golden raisins
- Switch off the heat on both pans. Pour the hot tempering into semolina milk. Stir well and serve warm or at room temperature. Always give it a stir before serving.
Video
Notes
- You can replace mini shallots with regular onions.
- Full-fat milk can be replaced with low-fat milk or coconut milk.
- A few strands of saffron may be added for a subtle flavour variation.
- Consistency is key: thari kachiyathu should be drinkable, not spoon-thick.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g
