Shiro is a Gujarati sweet dish made for many celebratory occasions. My mom makes a very special chocolate version that is really unique – I don’t know any other Indian auntie that makes it this way so I consider this recipe a rare treat 🙂    My mom used to make chocolate shiro any time my brother and I weren’t feeling well and it was such a delicious pick-me-up. Recently my husband was feeling under the weather so I asked him if he wanted shiro and his face lit up and just the thought of it seemed to make him feel better. One really interesting thing about Indian food is how a base ingredient like semolina can easily become something sweet or savory (see Upma recipe). This shiro recipe is unique with the addition of chocolate chips – traditionally it is only spiced with cardamom, some golden raisins, and sliced nuts (cashews/almonds). Enjoy! 

Green Cardamom Pod

Ingredients

• 2.5 Tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 cup semolina
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 c water
• 1/3 c white sugar
• 1 tsp fresh ground cardamom
• 3/4 c+ 1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips
• sliced almonds
• golden raisins (garnish)
• fresh ground cardamom (garnish)

Directions

1. Place ghee in a non-stick pan and melt over medium heat.
2. Add semolina to pan, stir to mix, cook while stirring for 6-8 minutes until it starts to give off a slight aroma. Meanwhile warm milk and water in microwave (2 min) or stove top on medium heat (until steaming).
3. Add heated milk/water to pan and stir constantly to combine. Initially the mixture will be very liquidy but it will be absorbed by the semolina within 2-3 minutes.
4. Add cardamom, sugar, and raisins (if desired) and stir to combine.
5. Add 3/4 c chocolate chips and stir thoroughly to combine until the mixture is one color. Remove from heat.
6. Add almonds and stir to combine.
7. Stir in remaining chocolate chips.