The sesame paste adds a few health benefits because it has a lot of protein, minerals, and vitamins and can boost the immune system. This version is well known for the texture, which is crumbly. Possible added flavors are pistachios, chocolate, or vanilla. It has sesame paste (tahini), sugar, and honey. Halawa with sesame paste or tahini is the version that is popular in the Middle East.

This cooks the Halawa until it is in a hard-crack stage. Nut butter Halawa is made by grinding oily seeds (like sesame seeds or sunflower seeds) until it is a paste, then mixing it with hot sugar syrup.

The nut butter base is what is more popular in the Arab world (and Turkey). Tanzania is known for rice flour Halawa with coconut milk. Rice flour Halawa tends to have a version of dairy in it or coconut milk. People in Greece tend to use cornstarch in this recipe. This variation is popular, especially in India and Pakistan.Īs for cornstarch, the texture is also gelatinous. Popular additions to the semolina Halawa are dried fruits such as raisins and dates and nuts such as almonds or walnuts, although there are other additional toppings. The texture is gelatinous (think of polenta’s texture), but is still rich. If made with semolina flour, the recipe includes butter, ghee, or vegetable oil. This method makes the Halawa more like a pudding but with a thicker texture. It is made by frying the flour in the oil, turning it into a roux, and then adding sugar syrup. In this version, the Halawa uses semolina flour, cornstarch, or rice flour. The first known version of Halawa with sesame paste is from Suleiman the Magnificent, who ruled the Ottoman Empire from 1520-1566, although Halawa’s first written recipe is in Kitaab al-Tabikh (Book of Dishes) from the 13 th century. Both are dense and sweet, but the difference in ingredients causes a different texture. One is made with flour as a base, and the other is made with nut butter as a base. What is Halawa?įirst off, there are two different kinds of Halawa or halva. In fact, the dessert is so popular that it has spread throughout the world and has been adapted in different cultures. Did you know, though, that tahini can be used in Halawa? Also known as halva, Halawa is a popular and special dessert in the Arab world. By: Lindsey Penn/Arab America Contributing WriterĮveryone knows that tahini or sesame paste is used throughout the Arab world, and especially in hummus.

Hawaiian dredging halawa