Rich and aromatic Besan halwa is made with gram flour, ghee, sugar, nuts and flavored with cardamom.
This is one of those desserts which is just perfect for any celebration and requires only few ingredients. Besan Halwa (halwa made with gram flour) was not something mom made very often. So, I had it occasionally especially during winters. Sarvesh though grew up eating is pretty regularly.
Even last year when we were in Delhi, my mother-in-law made besan ka halwa for us. It’s supposed to be really good for throat. So it you are down with cold and have sore throat, this halwa can work wonders.
Ingredients1/2 cup ghee 100 grams, in semi-solid state
1/2 cup besan 55 grams, gram flour
3/4 cup milk 6 oz, I used whole milk
1/2 cup water 4 oz
1/3 cup granulated white sugar 75 grams, adjust to taste
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1-2 tablespoons nuts chopped, I used mix of cashews & almonds
Method* Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Once the ghee melts, lower the heat to low and add besan.
* Mix the besan with the ghee using a spatula. Now start stirring and cooking the besan.
* Meanwhile in a pan heat up milk and water. There's no boiling needed here, just warm up the mixture and keep it ready.
* Keep stirring besan on low heat, it will start to change color.
* After around 17 minutes of cooking on low heat, it becomes golden brown in color (see picture). At this point, your kitchen will also be filled with a wonderful nutty aroma of the besan. That's the stage of adding the liquids.
* Add the heated up milk and water mixture to the roasted besan. The mixture will bubble so be careful.
* Stir the liquids with the besan until it all becomes smooth.
* Then add the sugar, mix well and increase the heat to medium and continue to cook for 2 more minutes until halwa starts leaving sides of the pan.
* Add chopped nuts, cardamom powder and mix. Turn off the heat.
* Serve besan halwa warm. You may garnish with more nuts before serving.