Ashoka halwa is the luscious sweet served in most of the weddings, especially in thanjavur district. This is one of the most favorite sweet for my sister. We all in our home love this halwa very much. From my PARENTS Marriage to MY-MARRIAGE this sweet took place. It just melts in your mouth. Whenever we pass the thrivarur area, we stopped at one local iyer hotel, that hotel is named for this halwa. So much of craving for this halwa, finally in my own hand.
Ingredients:
- Moong dhal/pasiparuppu – 1cup
- Wheat flour – ½ cup
- Granulated sugar – 1 cup/ depends on your taste
- Clarified butter/ ghee – ½ cup
- Cardamom powder – a generous pinch
- Red-orange Food color – 2-3 drops
- Water – as req
- Salt – a pinch
- Cashews – 5-8 nos
Procedure:
Step 1:
Dry roast the moong dhal in medium-low flame until you get the aroma. Pressure cook the roasted dhal with required amount of water.
Step 2:
In a wide pan add some ghee, once the ghee get enough hot add the chopped cashews along with wheat flour. Roast the flour until you get the nice aroma, then add the cooked-mushy- moong dhal to the mixture.
Step 3:
Blend the moong dhal and wheat flour well, add the required amount of sugar and mix well, the mixture not turns runny. By this time add pinch of food color and a pinch of salt.
Stir constantly to avoid scorching. In between add some ghee to the sides of the pan and scrap the edges often. Finally add the cardamom/elaichi powder and ends with a tsp of ghee.
How to know the halwa consistency:
Take a pinch of halwa in between your fingers and if you can make a ball out of it, then your halwa is ready.
