Known as kesari in south India and halwa in north, it is made in every household in India and you never need a special occasion for making it. Halwa can be made using semolina, whole wheat flour, lentils, carrots etc. Out of these the one made with semolina (sooji) is the most popular.
This halwa is basically sooji halwa in which pineapple has been added to give it a tasty twist. I used canned crushed pineapple for this recipe but you can use real pineapple too. If using real pineapple, chop it into small pieces and cook in water for 5 minutes till it becomes soft and then add in the halwa.
Ingredients½ cup semolina sooji
¾ cup sugar
½ cup milk
1.5 cups water
¼ cup ghee clarified butter
1 cup crushed pineapple [ i used crushed pineapple can]
½ tsp cardamom powder
yellow food color a drop
nuts to garnish
Method
* Heat water and milk in a pan.
* Heat ghee or butter in a pan.
* Once the ghee is hot, add semolina (sooji) and roast on medium-low flame till it's roasted and starts giving a nice aroma.
* Add hot water and milk to semolina while stirring continuously.
* Once the water and milk is absorbed, add the crushed pineapple and mix.
* Add sugar and mix. The mixture will again begin to loosen up when you add the sugar, keep stirring making sure there are no lumps.
* Add food color and simmer on medium-low flame for 2 minutes. Add cardamom powder and switch off the flame.
* Garnish with nuts of your choice and serve warm.