Bahraini Halwa (sweet gelatinous dessert)

Recipe No.: G-38

Gulf110 minServes 16

Bahraini halwa is a symbol of hospitality in Bahrain, cooked from sugar, starch and ghee with saffron, rose water, cardamom and nuts. It is served with Arabic coffee at Eid and weddings, and stirred for about an hour in the pot until it sets.

Ingredients for Bahraini Halwa

• 2 cupssugar (400 g)
• 2 cupswater
• ¼ cupcornstarch (35 g), dissolved in ½ cup cold water
• ½ cupghee (115 g)
• 1 tspground cardamom
• A pinch ofsaffron steeped in ¼ cup rose water
• ½ cupchopped almonds and pistachios
• Ghee to grease the tray

Method

1. Melt half the sugar in a heavy pot over low heat, stirring, until it turns a light caramel (no burning).
2. Carefully add the hot water (it spits) and stir until the caramel dissolves, then add the remaining sugar.
3. Add the starch mixture gradually, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
4. Keep stirring on low heat 30 to 40 minutes until thick and glossy, adding the ghee in batches.
5. Add the rose water saffron mix and cardamom and stir 20 more minutes until it leaves the sides of the pot, then fold in the nuts.
6. Pour into a greased tray, level the top, cool and cut into squares.

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