5.0 from 30 votes
Irmik Helvasi (Turkish Semolina Halva)
This traditional Semolina Halva is a very easy but extremely delicious dessert especially when you have limited ingredients.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 portion
Calories: 474 kcal
Course:
Dessert , Snacks
Cuisine:
Mediterranean , Middle Eastern , Turkish
Ingredients
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 50 g pine nuts
- 200 g semolina (preferably coarse)
- 200 ml semi-skimmed or full-fat milk
- 200 ml water
- 250 g caster or granulated sugar
- cinnamon (optional) (for dusting)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, water, and sugar.
- Place the pan on medium heat and stir it occasionally until the sugar dissolves, then remove it from the heat.
- Place the butter in a wok or non-stick pan and put it on medium-low heat.
- When the butter melts, add the pine nuts and sauté for a few minutes until it starts changing color.
- Lower the heat, add the semolina into the pan, and cook for approximately 15 minutes, until it is golden brown, stirring occasionally to prevent the mixture from burning.
- When you notice the color of the semolina begins to brown, add milk and water and stir. Allow the semolina to brown and get fragrant without burning it, or else the halva will become bitter.
- Cook the halva over low heat until the syrup is absorbed and the helva is thickened, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Let the helva rest until all the liquid is absorbed and it's cool enough to handle.
- When you're ready to serve it, you can shape your helva into quenelles using two spoons. For an easier option, use a small bowl to shape them or simply spoon them into individual bowls.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon and more nuts on top before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You can serve your Irmik Helva warm or cold.
- This recipe will give you 6 to 8 portions (depending on how much of a sweet tooth you have). Each helva portion has 355 kcal., and each piece of quenelle has 105 kcal.
- Ensure the pine nuts and the semolina are cooked for the right amount of time. They should turn golden but not brown. If the semolina burns, your pudding is destroyed, therefore you’ll have to start over.
- Create your version by adding or excluding flavorings such as walnuts, honey, vanilla, coconut milk, lemon or orange zest, and currants.
- Replace the milk with water and butter with olive oil for dairy-free / vegan version.
Nutrition Information
Calories
474kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
69g
(23%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
20g
(31%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
39mg
(13%)
Sodium
20mg
(1%)
Potassium
163mg
(5%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
44g
(88%)
Vitamin A
453IU
(9%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
52mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6portion
Amount Per Serving
Calories 474
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 474kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 69g | 23% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 39mg | 13% |
| Sodium | 20mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 163mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 44g | 88% |
| Vitamin A | 453IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 52mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.