Habshi Halwa with a Twist

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) ghee (clarified butter) 1 cup (200g) ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 cup (200g) semolina 1 cup (200g) semolina
• 1 cup (200g) sugar 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• 1 cup (240ml) milk 1 cup (240ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped
• 1/2 cup (75g) pistachios, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) pistachios, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands 1/2 teaspoon saffron strands
• 4-5 cloves 4-5 cloves
• Edible silver leaf for garnish Edible silver leaf for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 12g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 20g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add semolina to the pan and roast it until golden brown, stirring continuously.
3. 3.
   In a separate saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat until the sugar dissolves completely.
4. 4.
   Add the sugar syrup to the roasted semolina and mix well.
5. 5.
   Slowly pour in the milk while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
6. 6.
   Add chopped almonds, pistachios, cardamom powder, saffron strands, and cloves to the mixture. Stir well.
7. 7.
   Cook the mixture on low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and starts to leave the sides of the pan.
8. 8.
   Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.
9. 9.
   Transfer the halwa to a serving dish and garnish with edible silver leaf.
10. 10.
    Allow it to set for a couple of hours before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almonds — Toast the almonds lightly before chopping them to enhance their flavor.
• Pistachios — Remove the skins of pistachios before chopping for a vibrant green color in the halwa.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the aroma, lightly crush the cardamom pods before adding them to the halwa.
• For a creamier texture, substitute half of the water with additional milk.
• Adjust the sweetness according to your preference by increasing or decreasing the amount of sugar.

Serving advice

Serve the Habshi Halwa warm or at room temperature. It pairs well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Presentation advice

Garnish the halwa with a sprinkle of chopped pistachios and a few strands of saffron to add a pop of color. Serve it in individual dessert bowls or on a decorative platter for an elegant presentation.