Sheer Khurma

Name: Sheer Khurma
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Afghan
Ingredients: 100g thin vermicelli (seviyan), lightly toasted; 1 litre full-fat milk; 3 tablespoons ghee; 3 tablespoons blanched almonds, slivered; 3 tablespoons pistachios, slivered; 3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste; 8–10 dried dates, pitted and sliced; 1 tablespoon rose water; ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom; 2 tablespoons golden raisins; 2 tablespoons chironji (charoli) nuts (optional)

شیر خرما/sheer khor-MAH/

About this dish

Sheer Khurma is a rich, creamy vermicelli pudding made with milk, dates, and nuts, deeply associated with Eid celebrations across Afghanistan and other parts of South and Central Asia. It is a festive dish with a sweet, aromatic flavor, often scented with cardamom and rose water.

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Ingredients

🍜100g thin vermicelli (seviyan), lightly toasted

🥛1 litre full-fat milk

🌿3 tablespoons ghee

🌰3 tablespoons blanched almonds, slivered

🌰3 tablespoons pistachios, slivered

🍬3 tablespoons sugar, or to taste

🌴8–10 dried dates, pitted and sliced

🌸1 tablespoon rose water

🫙¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

🍇2 tablespoons golden raisins

🥄2 tablespoons chironji (charoli) nuts (optional)

Method

Serves 4

Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds, pistachios, and optional chironji nuts and fry gently for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden. Remove a small portion for garnish and set aside.

Add the sliced dates and raisins to the pot and stir for about 1 minute to warm them through and coat them in the ghee.

Add the toasted vermicelli to the pot and stir to combine, cooking for another 1–2 minutes so it absorbs some of the ghee and flavors.

Pour in the full-fat milk and stir well to combine everything. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent the milk from scorching on the bottom.

Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and add the sugar. Stir until fully dissolved, then continue to cook on low heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring regularly, until the vermicelli is fully soft and the mixture has thickened to a creamy consistency.

Stir in the ground cardamom and rose water. Taste and adjust sugar if needed.

Remove from heat. Sheer Khurma can be served warm or at room temperature — it will continue to thicken as it cools, so add a splash of warm milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.

Ladle into serving bowls or cups and garnish with the reserved toasted nuts and a few extra sliced dates or pistachios before serving.

✓ What Makes it Authentic

Sheer Khurma is traditionally prepared and served on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha across Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia, where it holds strong cultural and celebratory significance. The name translates roughly to 'milk with dates' in Persian/Dari, reflecting its core ingredients. It is typically served to family and guests in the morning after Eid prayers, and recipes vary by household and region, with some versions being thicker and richer than others.

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