Suji Halwa is a popular Indian dessert made from semolina (also known as suji or sooji), sugar, ghee (clarified butter), and flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Here’s a simple recipe to make Suji Halwa:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup semolina (suji/sooji)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A handful of chopped nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios)
- Raisins (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat the ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai over medium heat.
- Add the semolina and roast it, stirring continuously, until it turns golden brown and you can smell a nutty aroma. This process should take about 6-8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, bring the water to a boil.
- Slowly add the hot water to the roasted semolina, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
- Be careful as the mixture will bubble and splatter initially. Reduce the heat to low and continue stirring to ensure the semolina absorbs the water and the mixture thickens.
- Add the sugar and mix well until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add the cardamom powder and mix again.
- Continue cooking and stirring for another 3-4 minutes until the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan and becomes glossy.
- Turn off the heat and cover the pan for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- In a separate small pan, heat a teaspoon of ghee and roast the chopped nuts and raisins until the nuts turn golden brown.
- Pour the roasted nuts and raisins over the prepared halwa and mix gently.
- Your Suji Halwa is now ready to be served. It can be enjoyed hot, warm, or even cold.
Suji Halwa is often served as a dessert after meals or during special occasions like festivals. It can also be served with poori (a type of deep-fried Indian bread) for breakfast or as a snack. Adjust the sugar quantity according to your taste preference. Enjoy your delicious Suji Halwa!