Moong Dal halwa

One best occasion to buy all our favourite things is the birthday.  Yes, last week I celebrated my birthday with lotz of surprise gifts from pravin & wishes all around.  I was totally thrilled & amazed this time.  I made this simple & tasty moong dal halwa for the dessert for the celebration.  It was absolutely divine, very rich & creamy.  Pravin was totally surprised "It's a home made"...  Awesome sweet.

Ingredients :

1. Moong dal - 3/4 cup
2. Sugar - 1 cup
3. Ghee - 1/2 cup
4. Milk - 1/2 cup
5. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Saffron strands - few
7. Milk kova - 2 tbsp (optional)
8. Cashews & raisins (roasted in ghee) for garnishing 

Method :

1.   Dry roast the lentil (moong dal) slightly till light golden brown & soak in the water for 8 hrs preferably overnight.

2.   Grind the soaked dal to a paste. 

3.   Heat 1/4 cup of ghee in the non-stick pan, add the dal paste.  Stir continuously on low flame, not allowing lumps to form.  

4.   When the dal becomes thick add the remaining ghee & keep stirring.

5.   Meanwhile, boil the milk & sugar in a separate pan.  Add cardamom powder & saffron to it.  

6.   When the ghee starts oozing out the dal, add the milk slowly.  Keep stirring, not allowing lumps to form again.

8.   Finally, add the milk kova & cook until the halwa don't stick in the pan (till creamy texture).

8.   Garnish with the roasted nuts.

Serve warm.