Season's Eatings - Khajur Halwa
Since Vee has continued her tradition of hosting JFI Diwali (and breaking all the rules!), I decided to continue mine; posting an easy, hassle free Diwali dish. Last year it was Moong Dal Ladoo, this year it's Khajur Halwa.
Okay so it's not originally hassle free. The authentic, mom version is quite labor intensive - cooking the dates in milk until it solidifies into a mass. But the (lazy) daughter version considerably cuts down on the slogging behind the stove by using khoya.
No matter which method you use, you will love this creamy, subtly sweet (no sugar yay!) halwa redolent with the goodness of dates. If you still aren't convinced let me add it uses only a tablespoon of ghee.
(serves 3-4)
3/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup khoya (mawa)*, crumbled or grated
1-2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp ghee, melted
a pinch of cardamom powder
a pinch of nutmeg powder (optional)
chopped cashews and pistachios, for garnish
(If you find it difficult to chop the dates pop them in the fridge for a while. Mind your fingers!)
Soak chopped dates in a little water for 5 minutes. Drain and grind into a paste.
Heat a non stick pan, add date paste and stir on moderate heat. When the mixture starts to bubble a bit, add grated khoya, honey and cardamom & nutmeg powders. Spoon ghee along the edges, increase heat slightly and stir until everything is combined into a homogenous mass. Time for some elbow grease - keep stirring like crazy!
Okay so it's not originally hassle free. The authentic, mom version is quite labor intensive - cooking the dates in milk until it solidifies into a mass. But the (lazy) daughter version considerably cuts down on the slogging behind the stove by using khoya.
No matter which method you use, you will love this creamy, subtly sweet (no sugar yay!) halwa redolent with the goodness of dates. If you still aren't convinced let me add it uses only a tablespoon of ghee.
(serves 3-4)
3/4 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup khoya (mawa)*, crumbled or grated
1-2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp ghee, melted
a pinch of cardamom powder
a pinch of nutmeg powder (optional)
chopped cashews and pistachios, for garnish
(If you find it difficult to chop the dates pop them in the fridge for a while. Mind your fingers!)
Soak chopped dates in a little water for 5 minutes. Drain and grind into a paste.
Heat a non stick pan, add date paste and stir on moderate heat. When the mixture starts to bubble a bit, add grated khoya, honey and cardamom & nutmeg powders. Spoon ghee along the edges, increase heat slightly and stir until everything is combined into a homogenous mass. Time for some elbow grease - keep stirring like crazy!
Make sure the halwa doesn't brown or stick to the bottom of the pan. When the halwa can be collected into a ball, it's ready. Fry nuts in a little ghee. Sprinkle over halwa and serve hot or cold.
* You can either buy readymade khoya or make it at home using condensed milk, ricotta cheese or milk powder.
* You can make date ladoos or burfis by cooking the halwa longer. Garnish with dessicated, unsweetened coconut for texture.
* You can either buy readymade khoya or make it at home using condensed milk, ricotta cheese or milk powder.
* You can make date ladoos or burfis by cooking the halwa longer. Garnish with dessicated, unsweetened coconut for texture.
WISHING ALL OF YOU A VERY HAPPY DIWALI
Entry for JFI - Festive Edition & AFAM - Dates
Labels: JFI diwali faral mithai khajoor halva khajur dates barfi ladoo
Posted By Ashwini | Permalink |
13 Comments:
d-lish! love everything khajur :)
i've posted a date/pista puranpoli and it was hard resisiting the stuffing :)
btw, did u use the regular dates from the desi store or is it the mejdool etc? tx
Wow, I have to check the puran poli. It must taste a little like sheermal?
I used medjool only because I had them. My mom used regular ones in India.
Ashwini that look so good delicious. Very nice entry, you and give it to AFAM-dates too.
Deepavali wishes to you too.
That platter is very pretty, Ashwini. Wishing you a Happy Diwali.
I can think of another way to cut down on the time required ;)
Instead of chopping, soaking and then grinding, I would just soak them whole and grind. Lazy me!
I have lots of dates left after Ramadan and this would be a perfect recipe to use them up. Thanks!
lovely pic and recipe ashwini. i too had planned to make this halwa but don't think i have enough time or patience ;)
wishing u and ur loved ones a very happy diwali:)
Slurp!! Looks delicious! Happy Diwali!:))
hey:) Khajur Halwa looks yum but what s more tempting to me is that beautiful and lovely fabric in there...:P A saree or a salwar or a even a dupatta will look pretty in that color and fabric :)
Happy Diwali!
Shn
NICE!
I love the idea of Khajur Halwa, need to try this pronto! Excellent photo, as always.
A very Happy Diwali to you and yours! Thanks for particpating!
Madhu - thanks. AFAM is for dates? Great - two birds with one stone!
Suganya - thanks
Nabeela - Possible if you have a powerful blender. Else the dates will just collect into a lump and the blades will refuse to move.
Sia - this version is quite quick. Suited for impatient people like us :-)
Asha - thanks
Mishmash - really? you liked the fabric more than the halwa?!! Its a place mat. It looks very Indian but isnt actually.
Vee - thanks. Loved participating. And thanks for hosting.
Wish you a very happy Diwali Ashwini. What a nice dish for the occasion. Loved the picture...
Wow! This looks awesome!
I'm a serious date freak, can't wait to try this out.
wowwwwwwwwww halwa looks deleciousssss
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