Badam aur Sooji ka Halwa (Almond and Semolina pudding)

Ingredients :

3 tbsp ghee(clarified butter)

1 cup Semolina (sooji /cream of wheat)

1/4th cup coarse ground almonds

(Run 20-25 almonds through a food processor for 30 seconds)

1 1/2  cups milk

1 cup water.

3 tbsp sugar or as per taste

seeds of 3 green cardamoms

pinch of saffron



Heat the ghee in a non stick pot .Add the semolina to it and dry roast on a medium flame till the semolina is  light brown and gives off a nutty aroma.Add the almond powder and sugar and mix well for 30 seconds.

Soak the saffron in 1/2 cup milk and microwave for 30 secs to release color and flavor .Add 1 cup milk,1 cup water and 1/2 cup saffron soaked milk .Add the liquids slowly 1 cup at a time and stir quickly to prevent lumps. Keep stirring till the mixture leaves the sides and bottom of the pan and comes together in a big lump.

Garnish with slivered almonds and crushed cardamom seeds.Serve warm.



Note : Add the almond powder only after roasting the semolina as nuts tend to burn quickly and on the contraryy roast the semolina well or it won't absord the milk properly.

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