Soojee Halwa

 

India is a country that is famous for the different varieties of sweets that each province has to offer. Soojee Halwa is such an Indian dessert. Soojee is basically Rawa or Semolina. This humble yet delectable dessert has various names across India. In the West it is called Rava Sheera and in the South it is known as Rava Kesari. Try this sweet dish with luchi/poori or paratha; it is a combination that I find to be delicious. Even if you have it alone, the halwa is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Impress your guests and family by preparing Soojee Halwa using this recipe, which is easy to follow.

 

Ingredients:

• A cup of soojee/ semolina
• A cup of sugar
• 4 cups of water
• ½ cup ghee
• Bay leaf
• ¼ teaspoon of green cardamom that has been powdered
• 1 tablespoon of almonds or cashew or any nut of your choice — to garnish (optional)
• Milk (little — optional)

 

Method:

• Melt ghee in a sauce pan that is deep
• Temper with bay leaf
• Add soojee to this pan and stir fry over a medium or low heat
• Take another pan and dissolve all the sugar in water over a low heat while you keep stirring it.  (Try to do this in a pan that has a long handle as a lot of steam is generated while the sugar solution is being poured into the soojee that might burn your hand)
• Add the sugar syrup to the semolina
• Stir well to avoid lumps
• Add the cardamom for flavour
• If the consistency becomes too thick, you may add a little warm milk or water
• Once desired consistency is reached, garnish with nuts (and even raisins if you want)
• Remove from heat
• Cover and allow some standing time
• Serve warm