There is no running away form the sniffles, colds and coughs that Fall brings along with it. Back home, both my Mum and Mother-in-law relied on natural remedies, and their all time favourite being Sooji ka Halwa or the thinner runnier version they called Seera. This warm buttery halwa not only soothes the throat but also provides that warm fuzzy feeling for a feverish and aching body. Always a treat to have, an aching body was often faked by some of us so the Halwa could be made!! Sooji is also known as Cream of Wheat or Semolina.This fine grain, milled from Durum wheat ,has properties in it that also help lactating mothers. It is said that a tablespoon of dry roasted sooji mixed in with a mug of hot milk and ground almonds provides added nutrients to the breast milk which in turn benefits the baby.
Sooji Ka Halwa
Ingredients
3 1/4 cups water
3/4 cup milk
1 cup sugar
6-8 cardamom (elaichi), coarsely crushed
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 tbsp. all purpose flour
1 cup semolina (sooji)
2 tbsp. golden raisins (optional)
3 tbsp. slivered almonds (toasted)
2 tbsp. pistachios, shelled unsalted, coarsely chopped
1 tbsp. cold water
Directions
§ Make the sugar syrup first and keep it ready:
§ Boil the water, milk, sugar and elaichi in a pan.
§ When this syrup comes to a rolling boil, lower heat and keep warm.
§ Melt the butter in a large pan over medium/low heat.
§ Add the flour and cook stirring constantly for about 1-3 minutes, until pale brown.
§ Add the semolina and cook gently on medium/low heat for about 15-20 minutes OR until the semolina turnsa pinkish colour and you can smell the aroma of cooked semolina. DO NOT over brown.
§ Another test to see if the semolina has been browned and is cooked is to drop a raisin into the semolina and if it puffs up – the semolina is cooked.
§ Very slowly add the syrup, stirring constantly as you do so.
§ Add the raisins and cook the halwa for about 5 minutes OR unitl the butter begins to separate from the semolina.
§ Remove the halwa from the heat, stir and mix well. Sprinkle with cold water and keep covered.
§ Garnish with toasted almonds and chopped pistachios. Serve warm.
Serves 6- 8 people.
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