Asoka ( Indian sweet)

Asoka halwa is a type of South Indian sweet made with moong dal ( split and dehusked green gram ). It is usually served at weddings . It is typically easier to make than traditional South Indian halwa which is made with wheat milk! 

Ingredients 

Moong dal ( dehusked split green gram) - 1/2 cup

Sugar - 1 cup 

Wheat flour - 3/4 tbsp 

Saffron - a few sprigs soaked in water ( 1 tbsp  water)

Cashews - 10

Raisins- 10

Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp

Ghee- 1/2 cup 

Oil- 1/4 cup

Noted here are the moong dal paste - the paste is darker brown since we used whole moong dal ( non dehusked and green hence it is darker in color) 

Instructions 

1. Dry roast the moong dal in a pan on medium heat for a few minutes taking care not to brown it 

2. Place the moong dal and 2.5 cups of water to it in a instant pot and pressure cook it for 30 minutes 

3. Once you vent the pressure cooker then take the cooked moong dal and grind into a fine paste ( typically the paste is light yellow)

4. Place a sauce pan on medium heat and add 2 tbsp of ghee to it and let it melt 

5. Roast cashews until golden brown and then roast raisins for a few seconds and set aside 

6. Add 1/4 cup ghee and 1/4 cup oil and let it melt. Keep the pan on medium low heat and add the wheat flour to this ghee and roast it until it turns light brown.

7. Then add the moong dal paste to it and continue to cook and the mixture will start sticking to the pan ( takes about 5-7 min)

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8. Now add the sugar and cook for a few more minutes on medium heat.When sugar is added, the mixture becomes watery. Cook until the mixture is thick again- takes about 10 to 15 min. It turns into a thick consistency like halwa ( for people not aware of this, it is an almost gelatinous consistency and starts coming off the pan and doesn’t stick)

9. Now reduce to low flame , add the saffron water and the remaining ghee ( a little at a time ) and cook the mixture ,until the mixture gives off the ghee on top and starts coming off the side.

10. Add cardamom powder and  then the roasted cashews and raisins 

11. Asoka halwa is ready to serve