Sooji ka Halwa

Ingredients

  1. Semolina (Sooji) ½ cup
  2. Sugar 1 cup
  3. Milk ½ cup
  4. Green cardamom powder 1 tsp
  5. Raisins (kishmish) 2 tbsp
  6. Pistachio 3 tbsp
  7. Bay leaf 1
  8. Nutmeg 1/8
  9. Mace 1/8
  10. White oil 4 tbsp
  11. Clarified butter 2 tbsp
  12. Water 1 - ¾ cups
  13. Pinch of Saffron (optional)

Recipe

  1. Add white oil and clarified butter in a non-stick wok and put on flame.
  2. Add bay leaf and semolina.
  3. Fry semolina on a low flame, stirring continuously until semolina starts changing color to light brown.
  4. Add sugar and mix well.
  5. Fry till the semolina starts to take a light brown shade than golden brown (keep stirring continuously). (Frying will take about 10 minutes).
  6. Add milk and immediately stir (or else the mixture will solidify and stick to the wok).
  7. Add water and mix well.
  8. Bring to a boil and reduce the flame.
  9. Simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the halva is thickened.
  10. Add cardamom, nutmeg, mace and rest of the ghee, stir and mix and remove.
  11. Keep the halva in the wok for 5 minutes.
  12. Transfer to a serving bowl.
  13. Garnish with dry fruits and sprinkle green cardamom, nutmeg and mace powder on the top of the halva.
  14. Serve hot or cold.