Apple Halwa

Ingredients

• 2 fresh kashmiri apples
• 1 cup semolina
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom seeds
• 10-15 strands saffron
• to garnish
• 10 blanched and halved almonds
• 10 pistachios slivered
• silver foil (optional)
• 5-6 neatly cut slices of apple

Method

• Rub saffron in a tsp. of water, keep aside. Crush cardamom seeds coarsely, keep aside.
• Melt ghee in a heavy pan. Add semolina, stir and cook on low flame.
• Boil 3 cups water, side by side. Grate peeled apples, just before adding.
• Semolina should give out an aroma and become light pink in colour.
• Add half the boiling water and apples to semolina. Take care not to allow water to scald you hand.
• Big bubbles will form soon as water is pour. Stir using a long handled spatula. When well mixed, gradually add some more water. Mix, and allow water to be absorbed.
• Now add sugar, cardamom, saffron, mix. Stir gently and cook till sugar dissolves completely.
• It is ready once ghee starts separating on sides. Pour into serving dish, garnish with silver foil,apple slices.
• Sprinkle pistas, almonds, serve hot and soft.