Maharashtrian Special Banana Semolina Halwa Food

PUNJABI SEMOLINA HALWA (SUJI HALWA)

Steps:

• Split the cardamom pods with a sharp knife and remove the seeds. Grind the seeds to a powder with 1 tsp of the sugar using a pestle and mortar. Keep the empty pods for the syrup.
• Heat the remaining sugar in a pan over a medium heat with 600ml water until dissolved. Add the empty cardamom pods and simmer, uncovered, for 5 mins. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and set aside.
• Heat the ghee in a wok or karahi over a medium heat, then add the semolina or flour. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring all the time, until it releases a toasted aroma and turns a biscuity golden colour, about 10 mins.
• Take the pan off the heat. Discard the empty cardamom pods from the warm syrup and pour it over the semolina in a thin, steady stream, stirring all the time. Take care - it will sputter. Return the pan to a medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until the semolina thickens. It should have the consistency of creamy mashed potato. Stir in the ground cardamom, drained raisins and most of the sliced almonds. Serve piping hot with the remaining almonds scattered over.

MAHARASHTRIAN SPECIAL BANANA SEMOLINA HALWA

Steps:

• 1. Heat ghee in a wok.
• 2. Add the pre-roasted semolina and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
• 3. Fry on slow flame till it becomes fragrant. Do not brown the semolina.
• 4. Add the chopped bananas and mix well.
• 5. Add hot water or milk and the Nestle condensed milk and fold in the dry fruits.
• 6. Add sugar and stir well.
• 7. Fold in the saffron and mix thoroughly.
• 8. Serve immediately.
• 9. Enjoy!

HALVA (A GREEK SWEET USING SEMOLINA)

Steps:

• Dissolve the sugar in the water and milk and bring it to a bare simmer.
• Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
• At the same time, brown the semolina in the oil on medium-high heat, stirring continuously.
• This should take 4-5 minutes. Add the nutmeats for the last 2-3 minutes to toast them slightly.
• When the semolina has taken a golden brown colour, add the syrup to it (taking care not to burn your hands, as this bubbles and steams up excessively- be prepared!), turn down the heat and keep stirring until you get a kind of thick porridge. Continue cooking until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan as you stir.
• Spoon into a buttered or oiled bundt pan and pack down with the back of a spoon. Let it cool. (I use a silicone bundt pan for this - eliminates the need to grease, and my halvah comes out in a pretty pattern).
• Unmold onto a platter and sprinkle with more walnuts, toasted sesame (optional) and cinnamon.
• You should not put this dessert in the refrigerator.
• It can keep for a few days outside the refrigerator, assuming you can gather enough will power not to eat it all at once.
• Some oil may start to drain off after a day or so, but this is to be expected, just dab it away with some kitchen paper.

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.

SEMOLINA HALWA

Steps:

• Put the semolina in a heavy bottom dry pan, cook over a medium heat until it turns a light golden brown, this is the tricky part because when you think nothing is happening it burns.
• The browning can take approx 10 minutes, shake the pan at times.
• Put the browned semolina aside.
• Boil the water and milk in another pan, add the sugar, salt, cardamom and the coconut, simmer Melt the ghee and fry the nuts and sultanas on a medium heat for a few minutes, add the nuts and the ghee to the water/milk mixture.
• Then add the semolina, stirring all the time, it will thicken gradually, mine is usually ready in 5 minutes.
• You are looking for the consistency of soft mashed potatoes.
• Transfer to a serving dish.
• Serve hot, warm or cold.