Gajar ka halwa, suji ka halwa, badam halwa, rawa halwa and countless more variations of halwa have made even the strictest dieters weak in the knees over the years. This versatile dessert has been a staple in Indian households and is one dessert everyone can love. However, did you know that the halwa is not actually of Indian origin? Yes, the word halwa originates from the Arabic term ‘hulw,’ which means sweet and was first consumed in the Ottoman empire from 1520 to 1566. This adaptable sweet dish and its multiple variations made its way over to India and have now solidified themselves as one of our staple desserts. Today we bring to you a quick to prepare halwa recipe that definitely originated in India: The atte ka halwa or the flour halwa.

Ingredients required:

• 500 gm whole wheat flour
• 300 gm ghee
• 300 gm sugar
• 100 ml water
• 50 gm raisins
• 5 gm cardamom
• 10 gm almonds
• 5 gm pistachios

To prepare atte ka halwa, mix the sugar with water and place it on the stove to let it boil. Allow the water to boil until the sugar has dissolved completely. Once the sugar has mixed with the water, take the utensil off the stove and put it to the side, allowing it to cool. Heat butter in a pan. Once the butter has melted, add flour to the butter and mix it well. Keep stirring until the mixture turns light brown in colour. Add the sugar syrup you created earlier, stirring the mixture constantly to ensure that no lumps are formed. Add the raisins, cardamom, almonds and pistachios and cook till the halwa gains a thick consistency. Once you reach the desired consistency remove the halwa from the flame and serve while still hot. You can serve your halwa along with tea and khari biscuit for full effect.

The magic of halwa lies in the fact that you can prepare it the way you like every time. How thick or runny do you want it? Do you like to eat it with salty potato chips or healthy whole grain chips? It is completely your choice. An important tip to remember is to avoid the formation of lumps in your halwa. To ensure that this does not happen, remember to consistently stir the halwa while preparing it. For more snacks that are easy to prepare, a treat for the taste buds and even healthier than the alternatives, check out the healthy snacks section on the DIP Foods website.