Serves: 4
Total Calories: 1,851

1 to 2 tablespoon Dessert Masala
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/3 to 1/2 cup Indian Clarified Butter (ghee)
1/2 cup , fine semolina
1 cup , shelled ground raw almonds
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground green cardamom seeds
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped shelled raw pistachio nuts
3 cups boiling water
4 (4-inch) silver leaves (optional)

1. Prepare the dessert masala. Then, in a small bowl soak the saffron threads in the milk about 30 minutes.

2. In a large wok or saucepan, mix the ghee and semolina and cook, stirring, over medium-low heat until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Mix in the ground almonds and cook, stirring, until the nuts turn golden, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Add the sugar, cardamom seeds, pistachios, and saffron-infused milk (reserving the saffron threads) and continue to roast, stirring, about 5 minutes. This process roasts the pistachios and lightly caramelizes the sugar.

4. Standing far from the pan, carefully, add the boiling water. (Use caution when adding the water, because as soon as it touches the hot wok, it will steam and splatter for 5 to 10 seconds.) Cover the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until all the water is absorbed, 5 to 7 minutes.

5. Uncover the pan and cook, stirring, until the halva pulls away from the sides of the pan and a shiny glaze appears on top, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with the silver leaves (if using), reserved saffron threads, and the dessert masala, and serve hot.

From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 4
Total Calories: 1,851
Calories from Fat: 1,518

More Recipes from the 1000 Indian Recipes Cookbook:
* Desserts
Almond and Saffron Halva
Almond and Saffron Kheer Pudding
Authentic Curdled Milk Fudge
Banana Dumplings
Basic White Milk Fudge
Basic White Milk Fudge with Cream
Basic White Milk Fudge with Pistachio Bits
Basmati Rice Custard
Bengali Rice Pudding
Bharti's Milk Cake
Caramelized Milk Balls in Thick Syrup
Caramelized Yogurt
Cellophane Noodles in Cardamom-Saffron Syrup
Corn Custard
Creamy Milk Pudding with Almonds and Saffron
Creamy Milk Pudding with Summer Fruits
Creamy Semolina Pancakes with Thickened Milk
Decadent Carrot Halva with Evaporated Milk and Jaggery
French Roll Bread Pudding
Fresh Fruit in Rose-Flavored Cream
Himachali Nuts
Indian Ice Cream with Almonds
Indian Ice Cream with Mangoes
Indian Ice Cream with Pistachios
Indian Ice Cream with Saffron
Indian Vermicelli Pudding
Layered White and Brown Chocolate Milk Fudge
Lychee Ice Cream Dessert
Mango Ice Cream Dessert
Marzipan Delights
Microwave Milk Pudding
Miniature Multi-Hued Paneer Cheese Balls
Paneer Cheese Kheer Pudding
Paneer Cheese Patties in Creamy Thickened Milk
Parsi Pressed Rice Flakes Pudding
Parsi Semolina Pudding
Pistachio and Cardamom Ice Cream Dessert
Plantain Halva
Pressure-Cooked Caramel Custard
Punjabi Rice Pudding
Punjabi Semolina Pudding
Pure Cashew Milk Fudge
Pure Pistachio Fudge
Quick and Easy Indian Ice Cream
Ricotta Cheese Cake
Saffron Curdled Milk Patties
Saffron Milk Fudge
Saffron Milk Patties
Saffron Panner Cheese Triangles
Saffron and Almond Ice Cream Dessert
Simple Carrot Halva
South Indian Rice Pudding
Stuffed Paneer Cheese Rolls in Fragrant Syrup
Sweet Pastries with Dates and Nuts
Sweet Pretzel-Shaped Desserts
Sweet Roasted Whole-Wheat Flour
Tapioca Pudding
Traditional Bread Pudding Bites
Traditional Dark Brown Milk Rolls in Saffron Syrup
Traditional Semolina Halva
Traditional Semolina Halva with Chickpea Flour and Raisins
Traditional Thickened Milk Pudding
White Paneer Cheese Balls in Fragrant Syrup
White and Pink Coconut Milk Fudge
Whole-Wheat Flour Halva
Yellow Mung Bean Halva
Yellow Split Chickpea Pudding
Yogurt Mousse with Saffron