Traditional Sooji ka Halwa (Semolina Halwa)

Traditional Sooji ka Halwa (Semolina Halwa)

Halwa is a famous dessert that is prepared all over the world with various ingredients and in countless forms. This 20-minute recipe is prepared with semolina in the Pakistani and North Indian style.

Course Dessert

Cuisine Indian, Pakistani

Diet Halal, Vegetarian

Keyword semolina halwa, sooji, sooji ka halwa

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Servings

Calories 485kcal

Author Izzah Cheema

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter both salted and unsalted work depending on preference
1 cup fine semolina sooji
2-3 cups water*
3/4 cup light brown sugar or cane sugar or to taste
4-5 cardamom pods slightly cracked open
1/2-2 tsp rose water depending on how strong your rose water is
pinch saffron optional
slivered almonds for garnish** (optional)

Instructions

Melt the butter in a non-stick saucepan on medium-low heat and add the semolina.
Stir the semolina continuously until it roasts evenly and turns golden in color, about 10-12 minutes. Depending on your stovetop, you may need to raise the heat to medium to help it come to the roasting point. Then lower the heat as needed. Remove from heat once the semolina is well roasted and has turned golden. You can also continue on to the next step while roasting the semolina.
In a separate small saucepan, bring the water, sugar and cardamom pods to a boil. Stir, and allow to simmer until the sugar is dissolved, and then remove from heat and add the rose water and saffron.
Place the semolina mixture back over medium heat. Stir this sugar syrup carefully into the browned semolina. Continue to stir for a couple of minutes, until the mixture thickens, loses most of its moisture and the butter starts to separate from the semolina. Sometimes I like to add a dollop of ghee at this point to give it a nice finish.
Garnish with slivered almonds (or other garnishings) and serve warm.

Notes

* The water will determine the texture. If you want it to be more grainy to be eaten alone, use 2 cups of water. 3 cups will yield a softer and thicker halwa like the one used for 'halwa poori'.

** You can also add various nuts, raisins, or any other garnishing. Some people add this within the halwa while cooking it (I prefer to keep the halwa center-stage though).

Nutrition