Halwa Food

HALWA

Steps:

• Heat 250ml water in a pan until boiling, then stir in the sugar and food colouring, if using.
• Remove the seeds from the cardamom pods and discard, then add 3 of the cardamom husks to the pan. Boil for several minutes, then transfer to a heatproof jug or bowl.
• Heat the ghee in the same pan, then add the remaining cardamom husks and the pistachios. Fry for 1 min, then add the semolina. Toast for a few minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Return the hot sugar syrup to the pan, stirring continuously to avoid clumping until all the liquid has been absorbed. The cooked halwa should mould together easily. Scoop out the cardamom husks and serve hot with puris or parathas, if you like.

VEGAN HALWA

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegan butter or coconut oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the nuts cook, stirring, until golden and crunchy, about 2 minutes; remove to a paper towel and set aside.
• In the same skillet add the carrots and cook over medium heat, stirring, until the carrots soften and dry up a little, about 10 minutes. Add the almond milk and cardamom and cook, stirring regularly, until most of it is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Add the almond flour and cook, stirring regularly, until dry, about another 10 minutes. Add the sugar and cook, stirring regularly, thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons vegan butter or coconut oil and cook, stirring, until the halwa pulls away from the side of the pan, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Garnish with the nuts and serve.

SOMALI SWEET (HALWAD/HALWO/HALWA)

Steps:

• In a bowl mix 1 cup of water with the corn starch and food coloring, mix well until smooth.
• In a no stick pan on medium high add the remaining water, white sugar and brown sugar. Stir well until sugar is fully dissolved. Once small bubbles have started to form (not a full boil) add the corn starch mixture.
• Stir constantly until it just starts to thicken then add the oil. Stir well. Reduce heat to low. Stir for 30 seconds every 15 minutes adding 2 tablespoons of butter/ghee each time to incorporate. (Do not over stir) It will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes or so for the Halwo to become very thick and a lot of tiny bubbles will form.
• When that happens add the cardamom powder, nutmeg and nuts (if using). Stir well and pour the Halwo into a dish/cake pan. You may use a very small cake pan that is 6" X 9" for a thick halwo. It will fill that size pan to the top.
• Let cool on unrefrigerated, 3 hours for the small pan. Once fully cooled, turn pan upside down onto a plate and the Halwo will slide out.
• Cut and Serve.