Sooji (Semolina) Halwa

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Sooji (Semolina) Halwa

Recipe by Mudita BhageriaCourse: DessertCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes

Sooji ka halwa is a type of halwa made by roasting semolina in a fat like ghee, adding a sweetener (sugar/ jaggery/ honey etc) and nuts to taste. It can be served for breakfast or as a dessert item. Sooji halwa can be offered as an offering to God (prasad) and a must offering to Goddess Durga during navratri. It is especially popular during winter, where piping hot halwa helps warm up the body and reduces congestion. It is a simple and delicious Indian sweet dish. 
 

Ingredients

  • ½ cup fine Semolina,(Sooji, Rava)

  • ½ cup ghee (Clarified butter)

  • ½ cup sugar or to taste
    1/2 cup mixed nuts

  • Few threads of saffron (optional)

  • 1 tsp cardamom powder

  • 3 cups hot water or (or mix of milk and water)

Directions

  • Take a thick bottom fry pan, put it on medium heat and add ghee. When ghee is hot, add Sooji. Mix..
  • Reduce heat, stir sooji and roast it for about 15 minutes or until Sooji turns brown. Keep stirring and keep the heat low. It is a time consuming task and you can engage in other chores in the kitchen. Don’t forget to stir it in between.
  • Once Sooji is roasted, increase the flame to medium and add hot water (or milk and water mix) and stir. Stay a bit away from the pan as sooji mix may splash.
  • Once water is absorbed, add sugar, cardamom powder and saffron (optional).  
  • Stir well to mix everything and make sure not to leave any lump. 
  • Reduce heat to low and cover the lid for about 5 minutes. 
  • Check consistency. It should be thick and not watery
  • Garnish with nuts. 
  • Serve warm

Notes

  • Soji can be roasted in advance and stored in an airtight container for about 2 weeks. Whenever you want to make halwa, add ghee, roasted sooji and prepare. You can also make  idli, upma and other preparations from the same. It will save you some time. 
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