Matar Halwa was actually an achievement for me, more because I have been trying to get this one right since many seasons. I first time had it when i was a teenager and since then never got to eat this anywhere. Infact after I started cooking, did try my hands on it but every time it was waste of food and mood. Each winter I went ahead trying it and fixing the problems from the last recipe or matar halwa but it never got better.
Then finally i came across this recipe of Sanjeev Kapoor (his recipes have been my saviour many a times) and which with some twists to my taste worked perfect for me. Finally this season I was successful in making my family believe that Matar Halwa does exist and it tastes wonderful. My husband who is my biggest critic asked for another helping and finished whatever was left otherwise was enough to make feel that finally it worked. Matar Halwa has to be made only during winters when the peas are sweet and soft. Do try this out and let me know how if turned out to be.
- Peas: 1 cup boiled and coarsely grounded
- Ghee: 1 tbsp
- Besan: 1tbsp
- Khoya: 1/2 cup
- Cardamom: 1 tsp
- Sugar: 1/2cup
- Water :1/2cup
- Cashew: 4-6
- Raisins: 10-15
- Heat ghee and roast besan in it.
- Later add green peas paste and cook it nicely till it gives nice aroma.
- Mix some cardamom powder and cook more.
- Add koya and give it a good mix.
- Prepare sugar syrup with water, sugar and cardamom outer covering.
- Add sugar syrup to matar mixture and cook till it has adsorbed everything.
- Now serve hot with garnish of fried cashew and raisins.