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Halva (A Greek Sweet Using Semolina)

Halva (A Greek Sweet Using Semolina) Recipe

This is a type of pudding, very popular here in Greece. Economical to make and tasty.
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Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine Greek
Calories 382.5 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup best quality olive oil (or you can use a combo of 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup corn oil or butter, anything totalling 1 cup)
  • 2 cups fine ground semolina
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk

Garnish

  • coarsely ground walnuts or pine nuts, toasted
  • sesame seeds, toasted (optional)
  • cinnamon

Instructions
 

  • Dissolve the sugar in the water and milk and bring it to a bare simmer.
  • Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
  • At the same time, brown the semolina in the oil on medium-high heat, stirring continuously.
  • This should take 4-5 minutes. Add the nutmeats for the last 2-3 minutes to toast them slightly.
  • When the semolina has taken a golden brown colour, add the syrup to it (taking care not to burn your hands, as this bubbles and steams up excessively- be prepared!), turn down the heat and keep stirring until you get a kind of thick porridge. Continue cooking until the mixture is very thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan as you stir.
  • Spoon into a buttered or oiled bundt pan and pack down with the back of a spoon. Let it cool. (I use a silicone bundt pan for this - eliminates the need to grease, and my halvah comes out in a pretty pattern).
  • Unmold onto a platter and sprinkle with more walnuts, toasted sesame (optional) and cinnamon.
  • You should not put this dessert in the refrigerator.
  • It can keep for a few days outside the refrigerator, assuming you can gather enough will power not to eat it all at once.
  • Some oil may start to drain off after a day or so, but this is to be expected, just dab it away with some kitchen paper.

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 119gCalories: 382.5kcalCarbohydrates: 45.5gProtein: 5.1gFat: 20.9gSaturated Fat: 3.2gCholesterol: 4.5mgSodium: 17.2mgFiber: 1.4gSugar: 26.9g
Keyword < 30 Mins, Dessert, European, For Large Groups, Greek, Kid-Friendly
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