Dessert craving in winter:
Imagining the winters, we think of blankets, quilts, sweaters, burning coals, fragrant tea, and cold nights. Winters are especially associated with sweets. Hot desserts feel extraordinarily tasty in winters. Dessert craving is also associated with winters. Most of the sweets made in winter are prepared in fragrant ghee and garnished with dried fruits which add flavor and special taste. Among the desserts, Halwas are the most famous.
Halwas / fudge :
Halwas not only attracts taste buds but is also a source of strength.
Halwa is a traditional word used in Pakistani cuisine known as fudge. Halwa/fudge is known all over the world. It can be of different types like carrot halwa, semolina halwa, walnut halwa, etc.
Chaney ki daal halwa is one of the most popular Pakistani sweets.
How lentils are formed:
Lentils are also used in sweets or desserts
Split gram lentils are formed by removing the outer layer of the gram and then the gram is divided into two parts. We use gram lentils in many recipes including lentil curry, lentil fry, lentil chaat, etc. We also use lentils in curry with vegetables.
Chaney ki daal ka halwa :
Chany ki daal ka halwa is specially made in the winter season with chana daal (split gram). It is very tricky to make this sweet dish. It needs hard work (continuously stirring). But it is very yummy and delicious. Some use khoya/mawa but I substitute it with milk powder.
Ingredients:
Split gram lentils or 250 grams
Chaney ki daal
Sugar. 250 grams
Pure ghee. 500 grams
Milk 500 grams
Milk powder. 2cups
Green cardamom ½ tsp
Powder
Nuts. As required
Instructions/ Method :
1- Soak the split gram lentils or Chaney ki daal for 6 hours.
2- Drain water from the dal/ lentils.
3-Boil the milk and add daal/ lentil and cook on medium heat till the daal/ lentils are soft/tender.
4-There should be little milk in the daal
5-Cool the cooked daal/lentils and blend in the paste form.
6-Add sugar and milk powder and fry until the colors change into light brown and ghee separated.
7- Remove from the stove and put on a greased square or rectangle tray and sprinkle nuts.
8- Cool it before cutting it into a diamond or square shape.
Note:
It can be saved in a jar or container for up to ten days.
