Traditional Tahini Halva Al'Fez from www.alfez.com
Introduction
Halva is a sweet and delicious dessert that originated in the Middle East. It is made from sesame seeds or tahini, sugar, and sometimes nuts or spices. Halva has a unique texture that is soft and crumbly, and it has a rich, nutty flavor that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. Making halva at home is easy and fun, and it allows you to customize the flavor to your liking. In this article, we will show you how to make delicious halva at home, step by step.
Ingredients
To make halva, you will need the following ingredients:
1 cup tahini
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 tsp salt
Tahini
The most important ingredient in halva is tahini, which is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. You can buy tahini at most grocery stores or health food stores, or you can make your own by blending sesame seeds in a food processor until they form a smooth paste.
Sugar
Sugar is used to sweeten the halva and give it a nice texture. You can use white sugar or brown sugar, depending on your preference.
Water
Water is used to dissolve the sugar and create a syrup that binds the halva together.
Nuts
Nuts are optional, but they add a nice crunch and flavor to the halva. You can use any nuts you like, such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract is optional, but it adds a nice flavor to the halva.
Salt
Salt helps to balance the sweetness of the halva and enhance the flavors.
Instructions
Now that you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to make the halva. Follow these simple steps:
In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and add the tahini, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. This should take about 10 minutes.
Add the chopped nuts, vanilla extract, and salt, and stir until well combined.
Remove the pan from the heat and let the halva cool for a few minutes.
Spoon the halva into a mold or a lined loaf pan, and smooth the top with a spatula.
Let the halva cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.
Cut the halva into slices and serve.
Nutrition
Halva is a high-calorie dessert that is best enjoyed in moderation. One serving of halva (about 1/16 of the recipe) contains approximately:
Calories: 220
Protein: 4g
Fat: 16g
Carbohydrates: 17g
Sugar: 14g
Fiber: 2g
Conclusion
Halva is a delicious and easy dessert that is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own halva at home and customize the flavor to your liking. Whether you prefer plain halva or halva with nuts and spices, this recipe is sure to please. Give it a try and enjoy the rich, nutty flavor of homemade halva.
