Semolina Halwa (Indian Pudding)

September 7, 2021
Indian homes don't have ovens, so making cookies is an impossibility. Luckily, halwa is a delicious desert that can satisfy any sweet tooth! Halwa can be made from flour, semolina, carrots, gram flour, and a variety of fruits. The best part? Halwa only takes fifteen minutes to make from start to finish—no waiting for an oven to pre-heat required ;) .

Also known as halva, halwa originated in Persia and is eaten throughout South Asia and the Mediterranean. Unlike the sesame-based, chalky halwa that is more popular in the latter region, grain-based halwa has a more pudding-like texture. Halwa is seriously decadent, but in the spirit of health consciousness, I pared down the amount of sugar and oil. Normally halwa is a ratio of 1 part sugar to 1 part semolina and 1/2 part oil, so if you'd like to try the "real deal" just bump up the amount of sugar and oil in this recipe.
semolina halwa

Semolina Halwa (Indian Pudding)

Recipe Type: Sweets
utensils YIELDS 6 servings
clock PREP TIME
clock COOK TIME
clock TOTAL TIME
herb graphic for recipe card
  • 190g Semolina
  • 30g Soybean oil
  • 100g Sugar
  • Handful Chopped Cashews Almonds & Raisins
  • 475g Water
tomato
        graphic for recipe card

Directions

1. Roughly chop raisins, almonds, and cashews. Set aside.

2. In a pan add the oil and semolina on medium heat. Stir frequently and let the semolina toast. This will take about 8-10 minutes.

3. Once the semolina has been toasted and changes to a light brown color add the sugar, fruit, and nuts. Stir.

4. Quickly add some of the water but be careful because the water will splutter. Stir to mix well and when the semolina soaks up the water add a bit more.

5. Stir frequently to ensure a smooth textured halwa, and finish adding the water. Turn the heat on low and stir until the semolina is soft and the halwa holds it’s shape when stirred. Turn off the heat and let cool.

6. Serve halwa warm with shredded coconut and a few extra nuts for garnishing. Enjoy!

Get more like this—Sign up for our daily inspirational newsletter for exclusive content!

___

Photo: Jessi Ferguson

 


Jessica Ferguson
Jessi is an American expat living in India with her husband, child, and animal companions. She has been vegan for close to a decade and cares for sick and injured freely roaming animals with her husband. If she's not chasing after dogs or a toddler, Jessi can usually be found snuggling local cows, doing yoga, or meditating. For glow-ups of cute free roaming animals, check out @Karunya4animals on twitter!

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

always stay inspired!



[class^="wpforms-"]
[class^="wpforms-"]