Aate Ka Halwa is one of the most popular Punjabi sweet dishes. Why so? Because it is served across all the Gurudwaras as Kada Prashad. The taste of that simple halwa served at Gurudwara is divine. No fancy sweet dish can match that flavour and texture. Delicious and simple aate ka halwa flavoured with a hint of cardamom is the ideal Punjabi sweet dish. And it is one dessert that never goes out of style. It is always welcomed with equal enthusiasm among the sweet lovers, especially in India. If you have yet not tasted Aate Ka Halwa then give this recipe a try.
The wheat is one of the staple ingredients in an everyday Indian diet. Whether it is our chapati, paratha or any other flatbread, wheat flour is commonly used in Indian cuisine. And when it comes to Indian desserts, aate ka halwa is one of the easiest and simplest wheat flour sweet dish. It requires few basic ingredients that are readily available in an Indian pantry – wheat flour, sugar, and ghee. These days rarely we find recipes that require such fewer ingredients and produces gratifying results.
Surprisingly, in Punjabi households, Aate Ka Halwa is not served as a dessert by the end of the meal. It is often served as a sweet dish which can be enjoyed during any hour of the day. During the winter season, often it is prepared for the breakfast or during the tea time along with a cup of milk tea. And hardly any efforts are made to veil the rusticness of the halwa by the addition of dry-fruits and nuts. Never, ever! But I like it laced with almonds and pistachio for a nice, nutty flavor. The addition of dry-fruits in aata ka halwa is totally discretionary, unlike sooji ka halwa which is generously garnished with chopped nuts and raisins.
There is no secret trick to make a perfect aate ka halwa. One has to follow the old school recipe to make a delicious bowl of goodness. And what is that traditional trick? Be patient while roasting the flour. The flour for the aate ka halwa needs to be roasted on a low heat. Then, slowly the flour changes its color to the shades of brown and releases a pleasant, roasted aroma. But that stage cannot be achieved in a haste. One need to slow roast the flour over the lowest heat possible. Second, be generous while adding ghee in the halwa. I follow a thumb rule of adding the equal amount of flour, sugar, and ghee. One cannot imagine aate ka halwa without ghee dripping out of it. It is in every sense a rich Punjabi dessert.
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How to make Aate Ka Halwa (Kada Prashad):
Aate Ka Halwa
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup whole wheat flour atta
- 1/2 Cup clarified butter ghee
- 1/2 Cup granulated white sugar
- 2 Cup water or as required
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp sliced almonds
- 1 tbsp sliced pistachio
Instructions
- Boil the water and sugar in a pan over medium high heat.
- Bring the syrup to a roaring boil and mix well.
- Make sure that the sugar is nicely dissolved in the water. Turn off the heat. Set aside the syrup.
- In a heavy bottom flat pan heat ghee.
- Add the flour and roast it over low flame.
- Keep stirring the flour while roasting for even coloring.
- The flour will slowly turn into brown color and will release a nice roasted aroma. This usually takes 10 - 15 minutes over low heat.
- Add the sugar syrup slowly to the roasted flour. Keep stirring the mixture continuously.
- Add the cardamom powder, stir and cook the halwa till it absorbs the water.
- Keep the halwa softer than your desired consistency, as it will thicken over time. This should take about 5 - 6 minutes. If required add more water to cook the flour.
- Garnish with almonds, and pistachios.
- Serve Aate Ka Halwa warm.
