Ingredients:
1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas)
1 cup ghee (clarified butter)
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) for garnish
Raisins (optional)
Instructions:
1. Soak and Cook Chana Dal:
Wash the chana dal thoroughly and soak it in enough water for 4-5 hours or overnight.
Drain the soaked dal and pressure cook it with enough water until it becomes soft and mushy. It usually takes 3-4 whistles on medium heat. If you don't have a pressure cooker, you can cook it in a regular pot until it's very soft and can be easily mashed between your fingers.
2. Make Sugar Syrup:
In a separate pan, heat the ghee over medium-low heat.
Add the cooked and mashed chana dal to the pan.
Fry the dal in ghee for about 10-15 minutes, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and aromatic.
3. Prepare Sugar Syrup:
In a separate saucepan, combine the sugar and milk.
Heat this mixture over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
Once the sugar is dissolved, add this milk-sugar mixture to the fried chana dal.
4. Cook and Flavor:
Continue cooking the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Add cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using) for flavor and aroma.
The mixture will thicken and start leaving the sides of the pan. This can take around 20-30 minutes.
5. Garnish:
Once the halwa reaches the desired consistency (where it doesn't stick to the pan), remove it from the heat.
Garnish with chopped nuts and raisins, and give it a final stir.
6. Serve:
Chana dal halwa is traditionally served warm.
Enjoy your delicious chana dal halwa!
Chana dal halwa is a rich and indulgent dessert, perfect for special occasions or festivals. Remember to exercise caution while working with hot sugar syrup to avoid burns, and keep stirring continuously to prevent lumps.
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