Suji Halwa / Semolina pudding recipe
Suji Halwa (semolina pudding)- Suji ka halwa or Sheera recipe is a rich Indian dessert made using ghee and semolina, sweetened using sugar.
One of the most famous Indian sweet delights/ desserts is the “Halwa”. Be it Aata halwa (kadha prasad), Suji halwa (Semolina halwa), Moong daal halwa (Split yellow lentils),gajar halwa ( Gajrela /carrot pudding),and many more, the list goes on.
The halwa options in India are innumerable.
Every region has its own special halwa, as per its special occasions or maybe no occasion,just the craving for this sweet delicacy.
What is Halwa?
Halwa is a winter dessert / pudding in Indian homes, as it is considered to keep the body warm and provides energy . Though for its delicious taste, it is as much a favourite of the families, in summers as well.But yes, every Indian naani or dadi is famous amongst the family ,for her one special variety of halwa, and the kids and the grandkids and the grand dads just love it!
Origin of ‘ Halwa ‘
According to various studies Halwa is said to be originated from ‘Persia’, however it has cultural references to Middle East, and South Asia as well. All the places have their own versions of halwa .
In the 7th century in Arabia, the word “halva” referred to a mixture of dates and milk. During 9th century, it took on a new meaning influenced by the Persian sweetmeat where it was made from wheat flour or semolina, cooked by frying or roasting. It was sweetened with a sweetening agent like sugar syrup, date syrup, grape syrup, or honey. Usually it was flavored with nuts or rosewater. The finished sweet treat could be cut into bars or shaped into creative forms . Halva became popular both in the east and the west, leading to various versions made with different ingredients, methods, and flavors.
It has found a lasting presence in India, where it even gave its name to a group of confectioners known as the ‘halvais’. Source ‘ The Oxford Companion to Food’ by Alan Davidson
Read out more about the origins of Halwa here.
Varieties and variations of halwa in India
Halwa can be made using a variety of bases- flours/vegetables/ fruits/nuts.
The base is thickened and sweetened, purely in ghee, using sugar or Jaggery along with water or milk.
It is then garnished using variety of rich ingredients like kesar (Saffron)/rose water/ gold or silver edible leaf (Vark)/ nuts/ resins etc.
And if all these things are making you think that this does look like some royal offering , then take note. it can also be cooked ,using just the ghee, flour, sugar and water, and it still tastes heavenly!
Suji halwa
Why I love Suji Halwa?
It is one delicious sweet alternative, which I never feel guilty to feed my family.
My kids are happy that they got something sweet to eat, and I’m happy that they are relishing something healthy. My husband loves Suji halwa too.
If i’m ever in a fix as to what dessert to cook, Suji ka halwa always comes to my rescue.
It is a family favourite, and it is a really simple healthy dessert that cooks in no time, and requires very few ingredients to cook.
Suji halwa variations
This Suji ka halwa recipe is a simple one, but still tastes delicious.You have to cook it to taste it.
I usually do not make the rich versions of halwa with lots of dried fruits,nuts , milk or saffron, because my family prefers the plain Suji halwa.
I make this recipe versions using either sugar, or a mix of jaggery and sugar.
The Jaggery Suji ka halwa version (gud halwa), is another favourite at our home.
Amritsar, my hometown is famous for its lovely food, and jaggery or gud ka halwa is one of the specialities of Amritsar .One of the best gud ka halwa is from kanha sweets Amritsar .
This recipe is made using sugar.And yes, it needs to have a good amount of ghee (clarified butter).
Ratio of Suji, Sugar , ghee and water to make Suji halwa
The ratio that we normally use for making Suji ka halwa is Suji/semolina, sugar, water,ghee is 1:1:4:1/2. But you will need to alter it depending on the kind of Suji you have.
When I first cooked halwa here in UK, using the regular ratio, my halwa turned out to be a little too runny. Then I realised that there are three varieties of Suji available here- coarse, fine and very fine.
If you are using the coarse variety, use the above ratio 1 cup Suji/ 1 cup sugar/4 cups water and 1/2 cup ghee.
If you are using the finer variety of Suji, then reduce the water, so the ratio will be 1 cup Suji/ 1 cup sugar/3 cups water and 1/2 cup ghee.
For further clarity, and easier reference, 1cup semolina would be app. 200gms , and 1 cup granulated sugar is app. 230gms. Half cup ghee is approximately 100gms of ghee. If you are using a cup to measure, make are you use the same cup to measure all ingredients.
Also if you need the perfect measurements, you can use the standard measuring cups and spoons for all ingredient.These are easily available at any superstore or you can order these at amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Measuring-Spoons-Apicallife-Stainless-Ingredients
Tips to cook the best Suji halwa as per your tastes and preferences
Make sure to roast the sooji in ghee properly before adding the water.It is a bit of arm work and takes some time. It turns from off white to light brown. You need to keep stirring to ensure it doesnt burn.
Depending on your choice, you can add dried fruits, nuts like soaked, peeled and chopped almonds (or even whole almonds taste good), chopped cashews, and raisins.
To make this more rich, you can add chopped pistachios and cardamom powder as well.
You can also fry all these nuts separately and garnish the halwa with nuts while serving.I sometimes do not add all the nuts, but just add melon seeds.They really blend in well with the taste of Suji halwa.
Some people make the sugar syrup, by boiling the sugar in water, and then adding the sugar syrup in the roasted Suji/ semolina, but I add the hot water before, and add sugar at the last stage.
I have tried using both the methods, but have realised, the latter option- adding sugar in the last tastes much yummier than adding sugar syrup.
These are just a few things that I have learnt from my experience making this halwa. Hope these tips help you guys.
Suji Halwa for Ashtami / Kanjak
This halwa is the favourite part of the ashtami prasad for our family. Who doesn’t love a good combo of Poori chana halwa prasad for Ashtami.
Check the most simple but most delicious recipe for sukhe kale chane made for Ashtami (Kanjak ) here on the blog. It is one of the most loved recipe on my blog.
More halwa recipes on the blog
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Let’s now check out the recipe for the Suji ka halwa below
Recipe card
Suji halwa/ Semolina pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup Suji/ Semolina Coarse or fine whichever you prefer
- 1 cup Sugar granulated
- 3 cups hot water use 4 cups if you are using coarse semolina variety
- 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) to add once the halwa is cooked
- 1/2 cup nuts (mix of blanched and peeled almonds, cashews and raisins)
- 1 tbsp melon seeds
Instructions
- Take a thick bottomed pan, heat ghee .
- Add suji /semolina. Stir the mixture and roast suji till it starts turning golden brown .Keep stirring and ensure the sooji doesn't stick to the bottom or else it might start burning.
- If using nuts, add all the nuts and melon seeds, and stir well.
- Add water and stir. The mixture will start to thicken. Stir to ensure there are no lumps, and mixture has blended well.
- Add sugar and mix well.
- Turn off the heat, and add 1 tbsp of ghee and mix.
- Serve it warm with your evening tea.
Notes
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Superb
Many thanks for the clarification on the cup measurements!
It will be well worth me buying some measuring cups to wade through all of these delicious recipes! 🙂
Nothing short of godly…my family loves this, especially our 5yr old boy!
I am so glad that you and your family liked my recipe 🙂 Happy to hear that your lil boy loves this too.
Firsr time making this and it came out delicious! Can this be made with milk too ?
Hi Lejla
So glad you tried the recipe and liked it. It can ofcourse be made using 100% milk , or Milk and water, but that turns out much like a thick pudding , more creamier and whiter. It is your personal choice though.