Badam ka Halwa(Almond sheera)

Introduction:

Almonds are a very rich source of protein.Consumption of almond lowers the cholestrol level, reduces the risk of lifestyle disease and gives overall wellness. Badam ka halwa is an utterly delicious and rich indian sweet dish that will be loved by everyone. It is really a mouthwatering dish to welcome your love ones at your home on every occassion.

Ingredients:

Almonds: 1 cup

Full cream milk: 1 cup

Ghee: 1 cup

Sugar: 1 cup
Water: 1/2 cup
Green cardamon powder: 1 tsp
Saffron:for decoration
Grated mix dryfruits: for decoration

Preparation time: 10 mins
Cooking time : 35 mins
Serves for : 2 persons

Method:

Soak the almond in warm water for at least 4 hours. Peel off the skin of almonds and drain the water. Make a smooth paste of almonds with milk in grinder.

Heat a heavy bottomed pan or kadai. Add ghee to it. Add the almond paste to it and continue to stirr it on low flame. At first, the mixture will stick to the pan but keep stirring it. You should stirr it continuously otherwise the halwa may get burnt.

When the mixture will be perfectly cooked, all the ghee will come on the surface and it won't be sticky. It will turn into a nice brown shade. It will take approximatel 20 mins to get it cooked on low flame.

Meanwhile, Heat the water into another pan and add sugar into it. cook it for 5 mins till the whole sugar gets dissolved. Now mix the sugar syrup into halwa and cook for another 5 mins. Mix the green cardamon powder into it and cook for 2 mins.

Halwa is ready to serve. Decorate it with saffron and grated, chopped dryfruits.

TIPS:

1. Make sure the halwa is cooked properly. You will come to know by seeing that all the ghee will come on the surface and halwa won't remain sticky to the pan. You will be able to stirr it very smoothly.

2. If you don't have much time then add hot boiling water over the almonds and soak in just a minute or so. Then put in into a strainer and run cold water over it.Now take one almond in your hand and press it from the other end. you will see that the skin will come out easily. this is a quick way to blanch the almonds.

3. Don't add sugar directly to any kind of halwa. It's better to add sugar syrup to halwa.

4. Cook the halwa on low flame for proper cooking.

5. I'll suggest to use  a non stick pan for beginners.