Habshi Halwa is an elegant and moreish Indian dessert, certainly a sweet that is fit for a Royal menu. One of the best and magnificent Indian delicacies is rich in flavours, taste and aroma. This halwa is sticky, chewy, soft and nutty. If I had to describe this Halwa in one word it would be 'Phenomenal'Â
Sweets, I can't and won't live without it, especially this time of the year and that too homemade. I love to prepare fresh mithai each and every Diwali without fail instead of buying from the store. I hardly buy sweets from the shop, so over the years, I have taught myself to make a few favourite ones from scratch. Not only on Diwali but throughout the year, the unbeatable freshness of homemade sweets and mithai and the taste keep me busy in the kitchen.
HABSHI HALWA
Habshi translates 'dark' or colour 'black', according to history this recipe comes from the royal kitchens during The Moghuls and it is supposed to be eaten during colder months. Â Habshi Halwa made up with many ingredients like Milk, Desi Ghee, Sprouted wheat, Nuts and few spices and takes a long time to prepare.
I have not followed any particular recipe from the internet, also I have tried to write the recipe in details as possible, including some tips that I've learnt and understood over the years. I hope that in the future my daughter and also you try your hand at making it for family and friends !!!
HOW TO MAKE HABSHI HALWA
HABSHI HALWA
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. wheat berries Gehun white or red
- litre full-fat milk
- 350 g homemade khoya/mawa
- 250 g desi ghee
- 2 cup sugar
- 1 cup cashew nuts
- ¼ cup pistachio nuts
- Pinch javentri powder mace
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg powder
- 10 threads of saffron
- ½ tsp. cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp. kewra water
- Few drops of edible brown colour
Instructions
- First, we need to sprout Wheat Berries.
- Rinse wheat berries with warm water, place in a bowl and add fresh water, cover the bowl with the clean kitchen towel and soak berries for up to 24 hours.
- Next day remove water from the berries, rinse with the freshwater.
- Take stainless steel or plastic sieve, line one clean and fresh kitchen towel.
- Place soaked wheat berries on it, loosely cover with the kitchen towel and let the sieve sit on the pan.
- If the towel gets dry sprinkle some water on it.
- After 8-10 hours you will see sprouted wheat.
- Once you are ready to make halwa, once again rinse sprouted wheat berries in freshwater.
- Place sprouted wheat and little milk in a grinder and make a coarse paste.
- Take remaining milk and wheatpaste in a heavy bottom kadai and combine well.
- Start cooking milk and wheat mixture on a very low heat, continuously keep stirring until mixture reduces to â…“.
- Add grated khoya, and keep stirring for 10-12 minutes.
- Now add sugar, once again mixture will go more liquidy due to sugar dissolving.
- Keep stirring, after 20-22 minutes add saffron and kewra and keep cooking and stirring the mixture until very thick. This process can take another hour or two. ( In between add colour, mace, cardamom and nutmeg powder )
- Once the mixture gets very thick, slowly add desi ghee and stir well another 40-45 minute.
- Add cashew nuts and keep stirring until halwa no longer sticks to kadai.
- Spread the halwa mixture evenly in a greased thali or tray.
- Sprinkle crushed pistachio, press gently and leave it to cool completely.
- Cut the halwa into the desired shape.
- Enjoy delicious and delectable homemade Habshi halwa 🙂
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Mayuri Patel says
Awesome clicks Jagruti. I've not tasted Habshi Halwa but have tasted something similar called halwasan. I', sure it must be tasting really good.
Soma Mukherjee says
heard about this sweet in highway on my plate tv show but never tried it, your recipe sounds so tempting and your photographs does all the magic all together a must try recipe for sure.
My Culinary Journey says
Lovely post and I have never heard of this before. With use of wheat it's quite different too. Lovely clicks.
Sasmita says
Such a delicious halwa !!! and yes, amazing clicks 🙂
Vanitha says
Awesome!! Beautiful clicks!! Love this halwa but have never dared to make it! Fantastic share 🙂
Unknown says
Absolutely stunning pictures!