FOOD AND TRAVEL

Monday, May 16, 2011

Khajur ka Halwa - Indian Date Pudding/Halwa

Indian Date Pudding

Whatever be the health benefits of dates, I can vouch for the fact that it energies and revitalizes the body instantly. Its also an instant mood booster.

Well it doesn't seem to do anything instantly on my body or mind but it surely does on M. He is obsessed with dates and from more than a year I don't remember a day he misses his daily dose of dates. On any given day, you can probably find more than three varieties of date in our little apartment. One on the kitchen counter, another type on his study table and yet another which he hides in his closet. You thought I was using the word obsession lightly didn't you?

Indian Date Pudding

A couple of years back he had similar obsession with eating a banana everyday. And whenever he was upset or annoyed, I would ask him "Should I get you a banana?".  Now, with dates being the food that makes him happy my question has got a little more vulgar. Any guesses? I'm sorry, I'm just trying to make my man smile.
(In case you didn't get this paragraph, forget you ever read it!)

 Khajur Halwa - Date Halwa

When I can save some dates from M's daily snacking, I  make this very simple, quick and almost healthy halwa.  Even though we call it halwa, the consistency of this halwa is more like pudding. It relies on  the natural sweetness of dates, and can be eaten as dessert or spread like a jam on toast for breakfast.

This recipe has been featured on Glamour Magazine under Health and Fitness section

Khajur ka Halwa - Indian Date Pudding/Halwa
Serves 4-5
Click here for printable recipe

Ingredients
250 g Khalas dates*
2 cups milk
1 tbsp ghee
2-3 tbsp condensed milk
1 tsp cardamom powder
A generous pinch of saffron
Pistachio (or your choice of nuts) to garnish

Notes

* I used Khalas dates but any dark skinned, soft and sweet variety of dates will be perfectly good to use.

Method

Pit and lightly crush the dates. My mother in law has an obsession with washing everything. Our family needs all kind of help!

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In a deep bottomed saucepan, heat ghee.

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Add the dates  and let them toast in the ghee for about a minute till the mixture slightly darkens further.

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Add the milk, cardamom, saffron and mix well. Once mixture starts to thicken, you can taste it and add condensed milk as per sweetness required.

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Its done when the mixture is still pourable but with a slight bang on spoon.

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It will thicken further as it cools. Let it set in the fridge for about an hour before serving. Garnish with nuts.
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33 comments

  1. Oo, that looks really delicious. Healthy, for dessert.
    I just discovered a guy that sells dates at the market. What a perfect post for me :)

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  2. i love anything with dates..the more ghee the bettah i say :)

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  3. I love anything with dates and this pudding is making me want to reach out and grab it. It looks sooo good!

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  4. the dats halwa looks rollicking !

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  5. Another halwa from your site that I have to try.Havent heard of this one.Looks like a potion when craving desi sweets hig time! :)
    One Q- as far as I know mejdool dates which I get here are very sweet, will condensed milk be required at all? Are khalas any less sweet?

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  6. Thank you everyone!

    @Tanvi Its personal preference, I would go without condensed milk with Khalas dates too but some people (read M) prefers it slightly more sweeter.

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  7. In California we see a lot of Deglet Noor and Medjool and sometimes Barhi which I like because they are soft and sweet. I love dates, but I've got to watch out, b/c it's so easy to eat too many at a time!

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  8. my goodness that looks scrumptious! like a date pudding

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  9. I was eagerly waiting for this recipe after seeing the sneak peak...love this...have got lots of dates sitting in my pantry so would be making this soon.

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  10. This looks decadent and delicious.What a lovely recipe!

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  11. Dates are a wonderful healthy treat. This looks wonderful and really inspires me to get more creative with them.

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  12. I'm wasn't a HUGE fan of dates until recently when I ate a wonderful sticky date pudding. Now I'm hooked on date desserts and I'm sure this will taste just as good.

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  13. This is such a fascinating recipe! I adore dates so I can imagine this would be so delicious!

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  14. Never made halwa at home, this recipe sounds like the one to try! :)

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  15. What a gorgeous recipe, I've never tried halwa before, but it looks delicious!

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  16. that looks sooo delicious!

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  17. My grandfather is that way with bananas. One a day... every day. It's so funny. I haven't had too many dates before, but I'm excited to try this recipe! Looks so wonderful and comforting!

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  18. Hi Kulsum! Thank you for visiting my site. Wow I'm so thankful that you visited me first! I love your beautiful blog Kulsum! I will totally enjoy visiting here. Please to meet you. I'll be following you via facebook. ;-)

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  19. Looks like a treat! I have never eaten Khajur ka halwa, nor cooked it. But for almost 10 years I've had my daily dose of 3 dates stuffed with home made ghee. Loved it! I have made date pudding and that is cakey. I really want to try your version! Thnx for sharing :-)

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  20. Nice cups ;p. I've never tried this but I love almost all things Indian and it looks and sounds fantastic.

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  21. delicious looking date halwa looks wonderful

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  22. I adore dates and this spicy date pudding looks to good to be ture!! So happy you dropped in over a Veggie num num, your site is overflowing with simply amazing recipes!!

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  23. The Husbands and their obsessions! I have few such stories too and may be someday can share LOL . I don't like dates at all .. but this sure does look rich and i like the cup you used :)

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  24. Looks wonderfully rich and creamy. The sweet dates must go great in there, I imagine it must smell amazing!

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  25. how rich and creamy dates are healthiest i know, but i can never get them in to throat coz of my laziness, though i like it!!

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  26. I love this! This is so so different from anything we know. Dates are not eaten regularly here. Look at that Saffron. That is also difficult to find and expensive. The photos are beautiful. Thank you for this article. Loved it.

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  27. I <3 your blog ^_^ everything looks so yummy ! I like cooking

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  28. I am a huge fan of dates and they sound wonderful in this hearty pudding. A great snack indeed :) Congrats on the Glamour feature.

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  29. This is the first time I am hearing of date halwa and it sounds divine. I love sticky date pudding (English version!), this halwa sounds as good.

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  30. I am so happy to have discovered your blog! I have spent the few months in India trying to try as many news things as possible. I have had carrot halva but I am a big date lover and your date halva sounds amazing!

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  31. Wow i like this pudding. i would ask my GF to make this for me asap. I would go without condensed milk. BTW my dates came from Madinah Sharif yesterday.....

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  32. really interesting recipe! I will definetely try it!!
    congratulations on your blog!!

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