Sooji or Semolina Halwa is a great option when you must have that dessert now. It takes about 20 minutes to make and is delicious – a great low effort, high reward deal.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Semolina (Sooji)
1/2 cup Sugar
2 cups Water
1/4 tsp Cardamom Powder or 6 Cardamoms
2 tbsp Clarified butter (Ghee) – substitute with oil to make it vegan
1 tbsp slivered Almond
1 tbsp chopped Cashews
Saffron (recommended)

Preparation

Prepare the cardamom powder. Crush the cardamoms in a mortar and pestle and separate the skins (you can add them to Masala Chai).

In a pan, add the sugar, cardamom powder, saffron and 2 cups of water and dissolve the sugar. This syrup will be added halfway through the cooking of the halwa. Leave it on a slow flame when you start making the halwa, so that the sugar dissolves and the syrup is warm when you add it to the halwa.

Cooking

1. Melt the ghee in a heavy bottomed pan.

2. Add the semolina and and mix it well.

3. Keep stirring the Semolina continuously until it turns brown.

4. Add the Almonds and Cashew Nuts and mix them in.

5. Keep cooking the halwa for another couple minutes, stirring continuously and add the Sugar Syrup with the Cardamom Powder and Saffron and mix well.

6. Continue stirring for a few more minutes until the water gets absorbed by the Semolina and the mixture thickens.

Sooji Halwa is ready. Serve hot, garnished with nuts.

Curry on!