Semolina Helva

Name: Semolina Helva
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed; 1 cup coarse semolina; 2 tbsp pine nuts; 2 cups whole milk; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

A comforting sweet dish made by slow roasting coarse semolina in butter until golden and steeping it in warm sweet milk.

35 minMediumServes 6340 cal/serving

TurkishDessertStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyEgg-FreeSoy-FreeLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeNightshade-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 cup coarse semolina
2 tbsp pine nuts
2 cups whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

1

Combine 2 cups whole milk and 1 cup granulated sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves, then keep warm.
2

Melt 1/2 cup cubed unsalted butter in a deep wide skillet over medium-low heat.
3

Add 2 tbsp pine nuts and 1 cup coarse semolina to the skillet.
4

Stir continuously for 15 to 20 minutes until the mixture turns golden brown and smells toasted.
5

Carefully pour the warm syrup into the roasted coarse semolina while stirring continuously.
6

Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 5 minutes until liquid absorbs.
7

Remove from heat, let rest covered for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon before serving.

Questions

Can I make Semolina Helva dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed, 2 cups whole milk. Swap the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed; the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Semolina Helva gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 1 cup coarse semolina. Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend (where it only thickens a sauce, half as much cornstarch also works). Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Semolina Helva keep?

Keep it covered in the refrigerator and eat it within three days.

Can I halve or double Semolina Helva?

Yes. As written it serves 6. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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