Sheer khurma — creamy vermicelli-milk dessert with dates, pistachios and almonds, in two clay bowls

Telangana · Sweet

Sheer Khurma

షీర్ ఖుర్మా

Sheer khurma is a Hyderabadi milk pudding made with fine vermicelli, dates and nuts. Roast the vermicelli briefly in ghee, simmer it in milk, then add softened dates, sugar and cardamom. This version uses A2 milk and ghee and is served warm or chilled in small bowls.

Prep
20 min
Cook
25 min
Total
45 min
Serves
6
Makes
6 small bowls
  • vegetarian
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By Organic Mandya Kitchen ·

Sheer khurma is closely associated with Eid hospitality in Hyderabad, where bowls of milk, vermicelli and dried fruit are shared with family and visitors. Dates are central to the flavour, while households vary the nuts and the thickness of the milk. Fine vermicelli cooks quickly, so it should remain a light presence rather than turning the pudding into a dense pot of noodles. Gentle heat keeps the milk from catching underneath. This home version uses measured ingredients and ordinary Indian kitchen equipment. Keep the accompaniments ready so sheer khurma can reach the table at the texture described in the method.

Ingredients

  • 1000 ml (approximately 4 cups)A2 cow milkReserve 100 ml for softening dates.
  • 40 g (approximately 1/3 cup)Fine wheat vermicelliFine wheat vermicelli, broken into short lengths.
  • 60 g (approximately 1/3 cup)DatesPitted and chopped.
  • 15 g (approximately 1 1/2 tbsp)Almonds Organic MandyaThinly sliced.
  • 15 g (approximately 2 tbsp)Cashews Organic MandyaChopped.
  • 15 g (approximately 1 1/2 tbsp)Raisins
  • 15 g (approximately 1 tbsp)A2 ghee Organic Mandya
  • 40 g (approximately 3 tbsp)White granulated sugar
  • 0.5 g (approximately 1/4 tsp)Ground cardamom

Method

  1. Soften dates

    Soak chopped dates in the reserved 100 ml warm milk for 15 minutes.

    ⏱ 15 min

  2. Fry nuts

    Fry almonds, cashews and raisins in 10 g ghee over low heat for 2 minutes.

    ⏱ 2 min

  3. Reserve nuts

    Lift the fried fruit and nuts into a bowl.

  4. Roast vermicelli

    Roast vermicelli in the remaining 5 g ghee over low heat for 1 minute, until lightly golden.

    ⏱ 1 min

  5. Simmer milk

    Simmer the remaining 900 ml milk in a heavy saucepan over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

    ⏱ 10 min

  6. Cook vermicelli

    Simmer roasted vermicelli in the hot milk for 4 minutes, until tender.

    ⏱ 4 min

  7. Finish pudding

    Simmer soaked dates with their milk, sugar, cardamom and fried garnish in the pudding for 3 minutes.

    ⏱ 3 min

  8. Rest pudding

    Rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving warm.

    ⏱ 5 min

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Tips

  • Use a 250 ml cup, 15 ml tbsp and 5 ml tsp; follow the gram weights when cup measures differ.
  • Soften dates while the milk begins cooking.
  • Keep scraping the pan base gently to avoid catching.

Serving

Serve warm or chilled in small bowls.

Storage

Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 2 days.

Variations

  • Omit added sugar for a less sweet date-led version.
  • Add 0.1 g (approximately 1/2 tsp loosely packed) saffron infused in the date milk.

Nutrition per serving

Energy240 kcal
Protein7.5 g
Carbohydrates30.5 g
Fat10.5 g
Fibre1.5 g

Approximate, calculated from representative raw-ingredient values and divided by the stated servings; includes measured cooking fat and excludes separately served accompaniments.

Questions people ask

What is the difference between sheer khurma and plain seviyan?

Both can contain milk and vermicelli, but sheer khurma prominently includes dates and a generous dried-fruit garnish. Household versions differ in richness and thickness. This Hyderabadi-style bowl keeps the vermicelli quantity modest so the milk, dates and nuts remain distinct.

Can I use roasted vermicelli for sheer khurma?

Yes. Use plain pre-roasted fine wheat vermicelli and shorten or omit the additional roasting step so it does not burn. Avoid sweetened instant mixes, which change the sugar and milk balance. Check the packet cooking time because strand thickness varies between products.

Why has my sheer khurma become too thick?

Vermicelli absorbs milk during standing and chilling, especially if too much is used. Loosen the pudding with a little milk when reheating or before serving chilled. Add it gradually and check sweetness again, since additional milk dilutes the flavour as well as the texture.

Can I make sheer khurma without added sugar?

You can omit the measured sugar and rely on the dates and raisins for sweetness, though the result will be less sweet. Taste after the dates have softened in the milk. Do not label the dish sugar-free, because its milk and dried fruit still contain sugars.

How should I chill and store sheer khurma?

Cool the pudding promptly in shallow containers and refrigerate within two hours. Use within two days and keep covered to avoid absorbing other refrigerator aromas. If reheating, warm only the portion needed until hot throughout, adding milk if it has thickened.

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Photo: Organic Mandya · © Organic Mandya