Greek halva
Greek Halva: a simple and delicious traditional dessert
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8-10
Looking for a quick and simple dessert recipe, perfect for fasting periods? Greek Halva is the perfect choice! This delicacy has deep roots in Greek culinary tradition and is easy to prepare, offering an explosion of flavors and textures.
Essential ingredients:
- 2 cups of semolina (make sure to use fine semolina for a smoother texture)
- 2 cups of sugar (you can adjust the amount of sugar according to your preferences)
- 1 cup of honey (high-quality honey will add a deep and aromatic flavor)
- 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil (or sunflower oil if you prefer a more neutral taste)
- 4 cups of water
- 1/2 cup of walnut and almond kernels (toasted nuts will add a crunchy texture)
- Zest of 1 lemon (avoid the white part as it is bitter)
- Zest of 1 orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks (intense flavor)
- Ground cinnamon (for decoration)
Preparing Greek Halva – Step by step:
1. Boiling the syrup: In a medium saucepan, add the 4 cups of water, sugar, honey, cinnamon sticks, and lemon and orange zests. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
2. Preparing the semolina: In a separate saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the semolina along with the walnut and almond kernels. Stir constantly to prevent burning until the semolina turns golden and has a pleasant aroma, about 10-15 minutes. This step is crucial, as browning the semolina will add a deep flavor to the halva.
3. Combining the ingredients: Once the semolina is browned, remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully pour the hot syrup over it. Wait for it to sizzle; don’t worry, this is a sign that everything is mixing perfectly. Stir well to absorb all the ingredients.
4. Fluffing the halva: Cover the saucepan with a lid and let the halva fluff for 15-20 minutes. It will achieve a dense consistency, similar to soft snow, perfect for molding.
5. Molding and cooling: After it cools slightly, take a portion of the mixture and place it in small molds, bowls, or cups, pressing well to achieve a compact shape. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to set.
6. Serving: Remove the halva from the molds and decorate with chopped nuts or almonds. Sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on top for an attractive look and added flavor.
Helpful tips:
- You can replace the walnut and almond kernels with other types of nuts, such as pistachios or hazelnuts, to experiment with new flavors.
- If you prefer a less sweet halva, reduce the amount of sugar or use more honey.
- This halva can be served as a simple dessert but also as a healthy snack between meals.
Enjoy this delicious Greek halva, a dessert that will not only remind you of Greek traditions but will also bring a touch of originality to your menu!
Ingredients: 2 cups of gray flour, 2 cups of sugar, 1 cup of honey, 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil (or sunflower oil), 4 cups of water, 1/2 cup of walnut and almond pieces, zest of 1 lemon, zest of 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon.
