Moong Dal Halwa - Recipe for Rajasthani Sweet Dish

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup- Moong Dal- (Dry roast the dal slightly before soaking)
1/2 Cup- Sugar
1/2 Cup- Ghee 
1 Tbsp- Ghee for frying Nuts( Additional)
¼ cup Water
A pinch of Saffron
½ tsp- Elaichi(Cardamom) Powder
Slivered Almonds, Cashew+Kismis(Raisins) or dryfruits of your choice

Preparation:

1. Wash and clean the dal, soak it for 5-6 hours. Drain the water and coarsely grind the dal to a thick paste adding enough water to smoothly grind.
2. Heat the Ghee and fry the dry fruits (Raisins and cashew nut ) till golden brown.
3. In the meanwhile, add Sugar and water to make a syrup, Boil the Water and Sugar for not more than 4 minutes over medium flame. Remove from heat add saffron.
4. Heat half of the ghee that is mentioned in the ingredients above in a deep non-stick frying pan, add the dal paste and stir immediately. Cook over medium flame.
5. After frying the paste ( toss the paste over and over again, ensuring no sides stick to the pan) for over 9-10 minutes, add the remaining ghee and fry for another 3-4 minutes. (It would seems as if the ghee is all soaked by the dal). The color of the paste will become light brown, and a mild aroma will arise.
6. Lower the flame to low, add the syrup and immediately start mixing. Cook and cover another 2-3 minutes. Remove the cover, stir and again cook for another minute. Turn off the heat, add the elaichi powder and Garnish with almonds, fried nuts.
7. You can serve it hot or cold.

Psst Psst:- Weight watchers you may want to ditch your diet...

Recipe and Images contributed by Sangeeta Iyer