Apricot and Semolina Sweet Halwa

Ingredients

• 1 cup zero number rava,(fine semolina.)
• 1/2 cup ghee + 2 tsp ghee (clarified butter)
• 3/4 cup sugar (can be reduced or increased according to taste)
• 1 and 1/2 cup milk + 1 cup water
• Pinch of salt, few strands of saffron, 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 cup blanched and ground almond powder
• 1 ripe banana
• 12 to 14 Indian dried apricot (soak them in a bowl of warm water for 4 – 5 hours, cut into small pieces after remove pits)
• For garnishing, sliced or finely cut almonds, pistachios and cashewnuts, some whole raisins

Steps

1. Heat a pan and add ghee over low heat. Fry the banana slices for a few minutes.
2. Add the semolina and roast over low to medium heat until its colour changes; this may take 15 minutes or so.
3. Bring the water and milk mixture to a boil in another pan.
4. Add the saffron to the milk mixture after grinding it with a mortar or pestle.
5. Once the semolina is properly roasted, add the hot water and milk mixture, keeping it stirred to prevent lumps.
6. A pinch of salt, almond powder and the cut apricots go into the mixture at this stage.
7. After the liquid dissolves, add the sugar together with cardamom powder and some whole raisins. Give it a few minutes of heat before turning the stove off. Then add 1 or 2 tsp ghee for good flavour, mixing well.
8. Use sliced almonds, cashews and pistachios to garnish the halwa.
9. For better taste, serve the dessert hot.