Holidays & Special Occasions
Sheer Khurma (Sweet Vermicelli Milk Dessert) (امرخ ریش)
Ingredients
- - Vermicelli noodles, broken — 150g (5 oz)
- - Whole milk — 1L (4 cups)
- - Sugar — 100g (1/2 cup)
- - Dates, pitted and chopped — 80g (1/2 cup)
- - Ghee or butter — 30g (2 tbsp)
- - Ground cardamom — 2g (1/4 tsp)
- - Slivered almonds and pistachios — 30g (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.
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