Poha Halwa

Poha Halwa is a delicious Indian dessert made from flattened rice (poha), sugar, ghee (clarified butter), and aromatic spices. It's a rich and flavorful sweet treat that can be enjoyed on special occasions or as a festive dessert. Here's a recipe to make Poha Halwa:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup thick poha (flattened rice)
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup mixed nuts (such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios), chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
• 1 cup water
• A few strands of edible silver foil (varak), for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Rinse the poha in water and drain. Set it aside for about 10 minutes to allow it to soften slightly.
2. Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the chopped nuts to the pan and sauté them until they turn golden brown. Remove the nuts from the pan and set them aside.
4. In the same pan, add the soaked poha and roast it in ghee for about 5 minutes until it becomes crispy and lightly golden.
5. In a separate saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add the boiled water to the roasted poha, stirring gently.
6. Cook the poha in water until it absorbs the water and softens. This should take about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Add sugar to the pan and mix well with the poha. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens.
8. Add cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using). Mix well to incorporate the flavors.
9. Cook for a few more minutes until the halwa reaches a desired consistency, where the poha is cooked and the halwa has thickened.
10. Remove the pan from heat and garnish the Poha Halwa with the sautéed nuts and edible silver foil (varak), if desired.

Serve the Poha Halwa warm as a delightful dessert. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence. The combination of flavors and textures in this sweet treat will surely be a hit.