Halva A Greek Sweet Using Semolina Recipes

GREEK HALVA

Steps:

• In a pot, add the 4 cups of water, 8 cups sugar, 8 cinnamon stick, 8 cloves, and bring to boil for 5 minutes, turn off the heat and add the honey.
• In a deep pot, on medium to high heat add the extra virgin olive oil and 2 cups of semolina. Constantly stir with a wooden spatula until the color changes from a golden blonde to a golden brown.
• Once the color changes add the 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon. Stir.
• Very carefully, slowly add small amounts of the simple syrup to the semolina (the hot syrup will steam and splatter so be careful).
• On a medium-low heat, continually stir until the mixture thickens. Add the almonds and stir.
• Transfer to a cake pan and let it cool. Turn over onto a cake platter and dust with cinnamon.

HALVA (A GREEK SWEET USING SEMOLINA)

Steps:

• 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.

HALVA

Steps:

• Heat the oil and cook the semolina in the oil until golden.
• Place the almonds to brown with the semolina.
• In the meantime, warm the water, but do not boil, and dissolve the sugar in it and throw in the lemon and the cinnamon stick.
• Pour the water into the semolina mix and stir well while pouring.
• Keep heating until the mixture becomes thick.
• Pour the mix into a Bundt pan and garnish with sesame seeds and cinnamon.
• Let stand and serve at room temperature.

SWEET SEMOLINA: HALVA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium pot on medium-high heat. Add the semolinas and almonds and stir constantly until the semolina is cooked and golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
• In a small pot, mix the water, sugar, lemon half, cloves, and cinnamon. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Turn heat to medium-high heat and simmer until sugar has dissolved, about 6 minutes. Pass through a sieve and discard lemon and spices.
• Carefully, pour the syrup over the semolina and stir until well blended. Cover the pot and let sit to absorb, about 10 minutes.
• Spoon the mixture into 3 1/2 to 4-ounce ramekins and let cool. Unmold onto a plate and sprinkle with cinnamon.