The Original Turkish Halva Recipes

IRMIK HELVASI (TURKISH SEMOLINA HALVA)

Steps:

• Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Bring syrup to a boil.
• Melt butter in a separate saucepan over medium-low heat, about 5 minutes. Add semolina and pine nuts. Cook, stirring continuously, until golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Pour syrup carefully over the semolina mixture. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until nicely thickened, about 5 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes. Divide halva over several small dishes.

EASY RECIPE FOR TURKISH FLOUR 'HELVA'

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, milk, and water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. Stir it occasionally until the sugar is dissolved then turn off the heat. If you decide to add optional flavoring like vanilla, rose water or lemon zest, stir it into the hot milk mixture.
• Melt the butter in a large, shallow pan. When the butter is bubbly, add the flour all at once. Work the butter all the way through the flour using a wooden spoon.
• Reduce the heat to low. Stir the flour and butter mixture by turning it over with the wooden spoon. Do this continuously over very low heat for at least 15 minutes. The flour should slowly turn golden brown and take on a toasted aroma. Make sure to turn the mixture over evenly and be care not to let it brown too quickly.
• When the flour is ready, turn off the heat. Add the milk and sugar mixture all at once and let it bubble up. Stir the liquid through the flour as it's bubbling. Continue to stir the mixture as it cools down. The helva will begin to bind together and form a ball. It should be soft but firm and take on a shiny texture.
• While the ball of helva is still hot, you can shape it as you wish. You can use a large spoon to make oval-shaped individual helva, or you can press the helva down in a shallow serving dish. When it's cool, you can cut it into squares.
• Toast the pine nuts by turning them over in a small, nonstick pan over high heat. Press a pine nut on the top of each spoon helva, or press them evenly in a pattern over the top of flat helva.

THE ORIGINAL TURKISH HALVA

Steps:

• Melt the butter over a medium flame.
• Once the butter begins to bubble, pour in the farina and toast to a light golden brown.
• Add the sugar and mix thouroughly. Dont take too long, the more toasted the farina is, the more crumbly it will be.
• Add the water and let it boil out. (Keep an eye on it because it will burn quickly if the water runs out).
• Let it cool and enjoy!