I shall try in the next few days to write some of my Lenten recipes, which were prepared on Kathara Deftera but have not managed to post them yet. I shall start with one of my favourite Lenten desserts, Halvas Katsarolas, which means Pot halva to distinguish from the one we bake in the oven. I have added my touch to this recipe by adding fruit in it but it you don’t want to add the fruit just go along with the recipe by omitting the fruit as the dosage does not change. Since Kathara Deftera I made a second one as well and again I made a different kind of halva by reducing the amount of sugar and water and adding ready-made syrup from what has remained of my bergamot spoon sweet and that gave it an extra flavour.
Pot Halvas with fruit and almonds
Ingredients:
1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
3 cups Semolina flour
1 cup of blanched almonds, chopped
1 apple
1 pear
A dash of cinnamon and sugar
For the syrup
3 cups sugar
5 ½ cups water
3 -4 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon peel
cinnamon to sprinkle on top
In a sauce pan prepare syrup by adding the water, sugar, lemon peels, a few cloves and a cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil for a few minutes and then set aside removing the cinnamon stick, the cloves and lemon peel.
Peel and cut the fruit into small pieces. Sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon and place into microwave for 3 minutes.
In another large sauce pan, heat oil and add the almonds until they roast (light brown colour). Add the semolina and stir constantly to roast as well but not to brown. Add the fruit and stir.
Remove from the heat and add syrup but be careful to stir constantly as this may overflow. Once the mixture is thick the halva is ready.
Place in a mold and let it cool down before placing in the refrigerator.
Unmold in a platter and sprinkle cinnamon on top.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Ivy, this type of halva is my favourite! I love the almonds especially.
March 28th, 2008 at 1:59 am
Halva is one of my fave Greek desserts too but I’ve never heard of the baked version.
I could eat this summer or winter.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:25 am
That’s the best thing about blogging. We learn from each other. I learned your okra and now you’re learning my halva. I shall make halva fournou, especially for you.
March 28th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
hi ivy, i have no idea why you are having problems. the filo pastry post has a video, but normally i do not put videos on the post.
good luck in the future when reading my posts - i have some funny stories that you should read for a laugh!
sned me your eamil and I will send them personally to you!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hola sweetheart! Never heard of this dessert but must be a delish!!
Have a great weekend!
March 28th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Thanks Maria. Shall do so.
Hola Nuria. Have a great weekend as well.
March 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
looks yummy, ivy, i’m craving lots of sweets today- but, that’s nothing new!
March 29th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Barb Michelen. I am sorry I do not want to follow your link. I tried to see your profile but there’s nothing there. I cannot trust people who do not reveal themselves.