Degchi
Semolina Sweet (Halwa)
Serves 4 · Total 30 min · Prep 5 min · Cook 25 min
Photo: Ravi Dwivedi / CC BY-SA 4.0
Semolina roasted in clarified butter until golden and nutty, then combined with sweetened milk and simmered until it thickens into a soft, grainy sweet studded with nuts. A quick dessert and breakfast-table regular across Pakistan, often paired with puri on special mornings.
Quick answer: 30 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: Semolina, Clarified butter, Milk, Sugar · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 150 g 1 cup Semolina
- 100 g 0.4 cup Clarified butter
- 400 ml 1.6 cup Milk
- 150 g 0.75 cup Sugar
- 3 pc 3 pc Cardamom, crushed
- 3 tbsp 3 tbsp Dry fruits, chopped, for garnish (Optional)
Steps
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- Heat clarified butter in a pan over low heat.
- Add the semolina and roast, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant.⏱ Roasting semolina · 8 min
- Meanwhile, in a separate pan, warm the milk with the sugar until fully dissolved.⏱ Warming sweet milk · 3 min
- Slowly pour the sweet milk into the roasted semolina while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.⏱ Mixing · 2 min
- Add the crushed cardamom and stir well.
- Cook on low heat, stirring, until the halwa thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan.⏱ Thickening · 5 min
- Garnish with chopped nuts and dry fruits, and serve warm.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Semolina Sweet (Halwa) take?
30 minutes in total: about 5 minutes of prep and 25 minutes of cooking.
Is Semolina Sweet (Halwa) hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 7 steps, and 4 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Semolina Sweet (Halwa) serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Semolina Sweet (Halwa) halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Semolina Sweet (Halwa)?
Spice-box items: cardamom. Fresh items you will probably need to buy: clarified butter, milk. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: semolina, sugar.
Any tips for making Semolina Sweet (Halwa)?
Roast the semolina patiently over low heat; it should smell nutty, not toasted brown. Pour warm, not cold, milk into the semolina to prevent lumps from forming.
Notes and questions
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Sooji (semolina)
