Sheer Khurma (Sweet Vermicelli Milk Dessert) (امرخ ریش)

Name: Sheer Khurma (Sweet Vermicelli Milk Dessert) (امرخ ریش)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Afghanistan
Ingredients: Vermicelli noodles, broken — 150 g (5 oz); Whole milk — 1 L (4 cups); Sugar — 100 g (1/2 cup); Dates, pitted and chopped — 80 g (1/2 cup); Ghee or butter — 30 g (2 tbsp); Ground cardamom — 2 g (1/4 tsp); Slivered almonds and pistachios — 30 g (1/4 cup)

The Quirky Foodster Team

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10 minutes

Prep

25 minutes

Cook

Servings

Ingredients

Vermicelli noodles, broken — 150 g (5 oz)
Whole milk — 1 L (4 cups)
Sugar — 100 g (1/2 cup)
Dates, pitted and chopped — 80 g (1/2 cup)
Ghee or butter — 30 g (2 tbsp)
Ground cardamom — 2 g (1/4 tsp)
Slivered almonds and pistachios — 30 g (1/4 cup)

Method

Melt the ghee in a saucepan and lightly toast the vermicelli until golden, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the milk and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vermicelli is soft and the mixture has thickened slightly.
Stir in the sugar, chopped dates and cardamom, and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and top with slivered almonds and pistachios.
Serve warm or chilled.

Introduction: A rich, fragrant vermicelli pudding simmered in milk with dates, nuts and cardamom, traditionally prepared for Eid morning.

Cultural Background: Sheer Khurma is prepared across Afghan households on the morning of Eid, shared with family and visiting guests as one of the first sweets of the celebration.

Tips: Toasting the vermicelli first prevents a mushy, overly soft texture. Adjust sweetness to account for how sweet your dates are.

Variations: Add a few strands of saffron for extra colour and fragrance. Include raisins alongside the dates for additional texture.

Vegetarian/Vegan: Naturally vegetarian. For a vegan version, use a full-fat plant- based milk and replace ghee with a neutral oil.

Serving Suggestions: Serve as part of an Eid breakfast or dessert spread.

Storage: Refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen, or serve chilled.

Nutrition: 290 kcal | Protein 7g | Carbs 44g | Fat 10g

FAQs:

Q: Can this be made ahead of Eid morning?

A: Yes — it can be made the night before and gently reheated, or served chilled.

Q: Can I use a sugar substitute?

A: Yes, though note the dates already provide natural sweetness, so adjust quantities accordingly.