Try These Unique Halwa Recipes This Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the love that siblings share, the bond that is the most khatta-meetha-teekha of them all. It is absolutely impossible that the celebration of such a precious bond can ever be complete without sweets that make the festivities a little more special. And what could be more special than a bowl of halwa? This dessert is so popular that till now, confectioners in North India are called halwai! A sweet that is a part of all our prasadams and festivals, Halwa is just perfect for devouring after a delicious Raksha Bandhan lunch. Just like the hatke relationship that you share with your sibling, here are some of the most unique and hatke halwa recipes that you can cook this Rakhi for your dear sibling.

Pethe ka Halwa

Made from ash gourd, pethe ka halwa is a bowl of deliciousness that all but melts in your mouth. Also called kashi halwa, it is a perfect dessert for your Rakhi celebrations. Pethe ka halwa is a quick, easy to make and very delicious dish. Let us look at a recipe to make this halwa. 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups grated ash gourd/ petha
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp cup ghee 
• 1 cup cashew nuts, broken unevenly
• A pinch of saffron

Method

• Put your grated petha in a wok and keep cooking till it gets dry.
• Cook for 20 minutes or till all the water from the petha is absorbed.
• Now, add the sugar and let it cook till it gets dissolved and the sugar syrup thickens.
• Add the ghee and stir till it gets absorbed in the halwa.
• Finally, add saffron to the halwa and top it with cashew nuts.

Hayagreeva 

I am sure everyone has enjoyed a hot bowl of moong dal ka halwa. But this halwa, if you'd like to call it that, is made from chana dal. It is made with jaggery and a lot of ghee roasted cashew nuts. If you want to really surprise your sibling, ditch the regular moong dal ka halwa for Hayagreeva. Follow the simple recipe below to cook it.

• ½ cup chickpea lentils
• 1 cup jaggery
• 2 ½ cups water
• ¼ cup grated coconut
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp cashews
• 2 tbsp raisins
• 2 ½ tbsp ghee

Method

• Cook rinsed chana dal or chickpea lentils in a pressure cooker for up to 3 whistles.
• Simmer and cook for 5 minutes after 3 whistles. Take out the chickpea lentils in a bowl.
• In another pan, put jaggery and add water and cook it on medium flame until the jaggery dissolves completely and the syrup starts boiling.
• Then add the cooked chickpea lentils to the jaggery syrup and stir it well.
• Mash slightly some lentils while stirring.
• Add ghee to the mixture and cook for 10 minutes.
• After the mixture thickens, add grated coconut and cardamom powder and mix well. Turn off the flame.
• In a small pan, heat ghee and add cashews and raisins to it.
• Fry them until cashews change colour slightly.
• Add this tempering to the chickpea and jaggery mixture.

Shakarkand ka halwa

Shakarkand or sweet potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients that go under the radar of even avid foodies. This Raksha Bandhan, let's change that and make a nice bowl of shakarkand ka halwa. A foolproof recipe is right below! 

Ingredients

• 2 boiled sweet potatoes
• ½ cup ghee
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 bowl milk
• ½ tbsp cardamom powder

Method 

• Mash your boiled sweet potatoes properly. 
• Heat the ghee and add the mashed sweet potatoes to it. 
• Saute the potatoes till the raw smell goes away. 
• Meanwhile, add saffron to the bowl of warm milk and keep it aside. 
• Add sugar and cardamom to the sauteed sweet potatoes and cook till it starts leaving the absorbed ghee. 
• Turn off the flame and add the saffron milk. 

Serve hot and enjoy!

Beetroot Halwa

Beetroot, although one of the most nutritious vegetables, is rarely eaten with enthusiasm, especially by kids. But what about cooking it into an irresistibly good looking and tasting halwa? Let us look at a recipe and see how we can transform beetroot into the most sought-after item at the Rakhi brunch.

• 2 beetroots 
• ½ cup milk 
• ½ cup sugar 
• ½ cup khoya 
• ½ cup ghee 
• Handful of cashews, almonds and raisins

Method

• Grate the beetroots. 
• Heat up the ghee and start cooking the beetroot. 
• After it is semi-cooked, add the milk to the pan. 
• When the ghee starts leaving the mixture, add sugar to it. 
• As soon as the sugar syrup dries up, add khoya and cook for a couple of minutes. 
• Remove from flame and garnish with dry fruits. 

These easy but unique halwa recipes will not just make your dessert stand out, it will be a pleasant surprise for your sibling who will feel loved on the special occasion of Raksha Bandhan.