ASHOKA HALWA(Thanjavur special)

     

                   

            




    In this we going to prepare ASHOKA HALWA.Ashoka Halwa is very popular in Thiruvaiyar in Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu.

INGREDIENT:

• Moong dal-1/2 cup
• Wheat flour-1/4 cup
• Sugar-1 1/2 cup
• cardamom powder-1/4 tsp
• Ghee
• Cashew nuts/almonds

PREPARATION:

1. Dry roast moong dal until you get a light aroma of roasted dal. Do not over roast it. You do not have to brown the dal.
2. Add 1 1/2 cup of water and pressure cook until soft and mushy. Mash it well. 

METHOD:

1. Heat 1 1/2 tbsp of ghee and roast cashew nuts until golden brown. Remove from pan.
2. In the same pan, fry the wheat flour on low heat until it turns light brown and you get the aroma of roasted wheat flour.
3. Once the raw smell of the wheat flour goes, add the cooked and mashed  moong dal.
4. Add sugar, mash everything well and cook on medium low heat. Once you add sugar, the mixture will become watery.
5. Add a tbsp of ghee and continue to cook, stirring continuously.  Add another tbsp of ghee after a few minutes of cooking.
6. Add food color or kesari powder and mix well.(if required)
7. Once it starts thickening, add the rest of the ghee, cardamom powder and cashew nuts.
8. Cook stirring continuously until the halwa starts to leave the sides of the pan.

 Tips -The halwa should not stick to your hands once it is done.

Ashoka halwa is ready.

Enjoy making this easy and delicious Ashoka halwa for Diwali.