Pineapple sheera is the soft, ghee-rich semolina dessert most of us grew up eating, with a tangy fruit twist. Here it is made with freeze dried pineapple from Frudo, so you get real pineapple flavour any day of the year without cutting a fresh one.

Time: 25 minutes. Serves: 4.

What do you need to make pineapple sheera?

You need ordinary pantry items plus one pack of freeze dried pineapple. Everything below is for four small bowls.

• 1 pack of Frudo Pineapple Slices
• 1/2 cup fine rava (sooji)
• 3 tbsp ghee
• 1 cup milk and 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 to 3 tbsp jaggery powder or sugar, to taste
• 4 to 5 cashews, broken
• 2 cardamom pods, powdered
• A pinch of saffron or turmeric for colour (optional)

How do you make it, step by step?

1. Set aside a few pineapple slices whole for topping. Crumble the rest into a bowl, add 3 tbsp warm water and leave for 5 minutes until soft.
2. Heat 2 tbsp ghee in a pan, fry the cashews until golden and take them out.
3. Add the rava to the same pan and roast on low heat for 4 to 5 minutes until it smells nutty.
4. Warm the milk and water together. Pour it slowly into the rava while stirring so no lumps form.
5. Cook for 2 minutes until thick, then stir in the softened pineapple and its liquid, the jaggery and the cardamom.
6. Add the last spoon of ghee, mix well, cover for 2 minutes and switch off the heat.
7. Serve warm, topped with the cashews and the whole crunchy pineapple slices.

Can I use freeze dried pineapple instead of fresh pineapple?

Yes. Freeze dried pineapple works well in sheera because it soaks up warm water, milk or ghee quickly and gives a strong pineapple flavour. Rehydrating it first, as in step 1, keeps the sheera soft instead of chewy.

Why add the whole slices only at the end?

Freeze dried slices turn soft the moment they meet hot, wet sheera. Placing a few on top just before serving keeps one crunchy bite in every spoonful.

Can I make it with another fruit?

Yes. Swap the pineapple for another Frudo fruit and keep the method the same. Freeze dried mango gives a sweeter, softer sheera, and freeze dried strawberry turns it pink and tangy. Reduce the jaggery slightly when using mango.

How long does pineapple sheera keep?

Sheera tastes best fresh and warm. Cover leftovers and refrigerate them, then reheat with a splash of milk the same or next day. Keep the crunchy topping slices in their sealed pack until you serve.

Is it okay for kids?

Kids usually enjoy it because it is soft, mildly sweet and not spicy. Reduce or skip the jaggery for younger children, chop the cashews finely or leave them out, and crumble the topping slices so there are no hard pieces. For more lunchbox ideas, see Best Healthy Snacks for Indian Kids' Tiffins.

Where can I find more freeze dried fruit recipes?

You will find more ideas on our Frudo recipes page. To learn what freeze dried fruit is and how to choose it, read Freeze Dried Fruit in India: The Complete Guide, or browse the full Frudo collection.

Quick answers

• Which fruit? Freeze dried pineapple slices, 100% real fruit.
• Can I skip rehydrating? Not for the mixed-in fruit; soften it first so the sheera stays soft.
• Swap fruits? Yes, mango or strawberry work with the same method.
• Keeps? Best fresh; refrigerate leftovers and reheat with milk.