Navaratri Special Almond Halwa or Badam ka Halwa

I have to admit that as a kid I never relished almond halwa or badam ka halwa , somehow the thought of eating an almond made me feel uneasy. But now almonds are a part of my daily routine. From eating soaked almonds in the morning to drinking almond milk – it’s my favorite. But just like me my kids too hate almonds therefore every morning I add 2 teaspoon of powdered almonds to their milk along with their cocoa mix and later strain it. This way they drink a healthy and nutritious milk without a huge fuss. Coming on to the recipe its a simple and sinfully delicious sweet made with badam/almonds, mawa and sugar.

RECIPE DETAIL – Begin by soaking the almonds first. Best would be to soak them overnight but if you are short on time, soak them in warm water for 2-3 hours and that will work just fine. Almond skin is great for health but for this recipe I have removed the skin off the almonds and discarded it. Removing skin is optional, feel free to keep them on and grind almonds to a fine and smooth paste.

From here on the recipe is all about sauteing and cooking the almond paste. Cook until all the moisture dries up – add mawa, sugar and saffron mixed with milk. Saffron will add an aromatic flavor and rich golden color to this halwa. Sugar and saffron- milk mix will make the halwa watery and runny, no worries. Keep stirring to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, soon the mixture will become thick – smooth and silky badam halwa is ready. Garnish with nuts and enjoy!!

Simple and sinfully delicious sweet made with badam/almonds, mawa and sugar.

SERVES PREP TIME 1CUP 3-4HOURS

COOK TIME 20- 25MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Badam/ Almonds
• 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/4 cup Mawa
• 2.5 tablespoon Ghee
• 1 teaspoon Cardamom Powder
• 1/4 cup Milk to grind Almonds
• 3 tablespoon Milk
• Few strands of Saffron

METHOD

1. Soak almonds for 3-4 hours or overnight.
2. Drain water from the almonds, pat them dry and remove their skin.
3. Almonds all ready. 
4. Combine 1/4 cup of milk along with almonds in a mixer. 
5. Grind them to a fine paste.
6. Check almond paste by taking some in your finger - it should be very fine and not grainy.
7. Meanwhile soak saffron in 3 tablespoon of warm milk.
8. Assemble rest of the ingredients.
9. Heat ghee in a kadai or pan.
10. Add almond paste and cook on a medium low flame stirring continuously.
11. After 10 minutes almond paste will become thick.
12. Add mawa...
13. Add cardamom powder...
14. Add sugar..
15. Add saffron infused milk..
16. And mix until well blended. Cook for another 10 minutes on low flame until halwa becomes thick.
17. Garnish with nuts and enjoy!!