Semolina Halva Recipes

IRMIK HELVASI (TURKISH SEMOLINA HALVA)

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring syrup to a boil.
• Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes. Add semolina and pine nuts. Cook, stirring continuously, until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Pour syrup carefully over the semolina mixture. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until nicely thickened, about 5 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes. Divide halva over several small dishes.

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.

SWEET SEMOLINA: HALVA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium pot on medium-high heat. Add the semolinas and almonds and stir constantly until the semolina is cooked and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
• In a small pot, mix the water, sugar, lemon half, cloves, and cinnamon. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-high heat and simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 6 minutes. Pass through a sieve and discard lemon and spices.
• Carefully, pour the syrup over the semolina and stir until well blended. Cover the pot and let sit to absorb, about 10 minutes.
• Spoon the mixture into 3 1/2 to 4-ounce ramekins and let cool. Unmold onto a plate and sprinkle with cinnamon.

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.

DIVINE SEMOLINA DESSERT - SUJI HALVA

Steps:

• Combine the water, sugar and the soaked saffron in a 2-litre/quart saucepan. Place over moderate heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to very low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
• Melt the butter in a 2- or 3-litre/quart saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Add the semolina, and slowly and rhythmically stir-fry the grains for about 20 minutes, or until they darken to a tan colour and become aromatic.
• Add the flaked almonds to the grains towards the end of the toasting process.
• Raise the heat under the syrup, add the cardamom and the sultanas, and bring it to a rolling boil.
• Raise the heat under the semolina for 1 minute, stirring continuously.
• Remove the saucepan of semolina from the heat, and slowly pour the hot syrup into the semolina, stirring steadily.
• The grains may at first splutter, but will quickly cease as the liquid is absorbed.
• Return the halava to the stove and stir steadily over very low heat until the grains fully absorb the liquid, start to form into a pudding-like consistency, and pull away from the sides of the pan.
• Place a tight-fitting lid on the saucepan and cook over the lowest possible heat for 5 minutes.
• A heat-diffuser works well. Removed the covered saucepan from the heat and allow the halava to steam for an additional 5 minutes.
• Serve hot.

GREEK HALVA

Steps:

• In a pot, add the 4 cups of water, 8 cups sugar, 8 cinnamon stick, 8 cloves, and bring to boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat and add the honey.
• In a deep pot, on medium to high heat add the extra virgin olive oil and 2 cups of semolina. Constantly stir with a wooden spatula until the color changes from a golden blonde to a golden brown.
• Once the color changes add the 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Stir.
• Very carefully, slowly add small amounts of the simple syrup to the semolina (the hot syrup will steam and splatter so be careful).
• On a medium-low heat, continually stir until the mixture thickens. Add the almonds and stir.
• Transfer to a cake pan and let it cool. Turn over onto a cake platter and dust with cinnamon.