Persian Halva pudding is full of saffron and rose water flavor. It's easy to make and very delicious. It's a taste of the Middle East!
This is a halva pudding that my maman used to make a lot and the taste is very similar to classic Persian halva. As always, this brings back many memories - and that's why I love Persian Saturdays.
Don't you just love family memories? I know I do. Some memories are sweet and some are bittersweet. But what matters the most is that you know that through all those memories, you had your family by your side, protecting you and making you feel good.
Childhood memories are mostly happy. I saw a couple of my lovely readers commenting on the last post, that the dish brought back childhood memories. How sweet and precious is that? This is what I love about food. Where ever you are in this world, you can always remember your good old days with just a spoonful of a special dish!
Living in another country thousands of miles away from your family makes you seek out the smallest things to bring memories back. Take this very simple halva pudding called Kachi that my maman used to make often. When I made it the other day, all my good memories with my maman came back to me as the house was full of the aroma of saffron and rosewater.
The ingredients used in making halva pudding, are very basic. What makes this pudding very special is the method of combining the ingredients and the process of making it. As halva pudding includes flour, sugar and butter, it's very good for people who feel weak or tired and need more energy. Many families in Iran make this for mothers who have recently given birth because it's strong, tasty, sweet and easy to eat.
"halva pudding is as sweet as my memories!"
My maman, on the other hand, always uses less butter and sugar to make halva pudding lighter. And, as my Persian recipes are supposed to be food the way my maman makes, I am going to write the same recipe that we have been making for years.
Saffron is a must in this dessert and as I told you before, I personally like Mehr Saffron the best in the US. The flavor, aroma and color is just on point and how I like saffron to be. You also need rose water as it compliments saffron really well. I'm quite sure you can find rose water in Turkish and middle eastern shops as well as online. Having one bottle of rose water in the pantry won't hurt since it doesn't go bad and can be used both in sweet and savory dishes.
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Enjoy this family recipe and if you make it, let me know how you like it!
Step-by-Step Recipe
Kachi - Persian Halva Pudding
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoon bloomed saffron see notes
- ¼ cup rose water
- 3 tablespoon all purpose flour For GF option, use rice flour
- 3 tablespoon unsalted butter or 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Pistachio and sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Heat sugar and water in a small sauce pan over medium heat until it starts boiling. then boil for about 3 minutes. The color doesn't have to change.
- Add Saffron and rose water to the syrup. Set aside.
- In another sauce pan over medium heat, stir flour constantly until light brown. Be very careful as flour burns fast.
- Add butter and keep stirring for about a minute until it turns brown.
- Turn the heat off, add the syrup slowly to the flour mixture, stirring continuously using a whisk.
- Once all the syrup is poured, turn the heat on again to medium and keep stirring until it thickens, about 15 minutes.
- Pour into serving bowls and top with pistachio and sesame seeds.
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
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Dana
This halva pudding was a delicious treat. We love trying new foods like this.
Taryn
Very similar to the one from a favorite local restaurant. Thanks for the recipe! 5 stars
Taryn
Very similar to the one from a favorite local restaurant. Thanks for the recipe!
Nahid
Amazing ! Will definitely try your recipe ! Great job Shadi & thank you for sharing ❤️
Maria Gain
Amazing article really happy to see that please keep posting
Willow
I love to try new things, and this sounds amazing!
unicornsinthekitchen@gmail.com
Thank you Willow! I'm happy you like it!
Tamara
Shadi, this just looks lovely! I love stories about food. I do happen to have saffron and rose water in my pantry, and I'm pinning the recipe! Thanks 🙂
unicornsinthekitchen@gmail.com
Make me so happy to know you like it Tamara! If you make this recipe, please let me know how you like it! 🙂
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto
Family memories are the best : )) I have had halva before but never halva pudding! Interesting. Also do you know what the difference is between Perisan and Spanish saffron/?
unicornsinthekitchen@gmail.com
Halva pudding is quite close to Halva you know, it's just like smoother 😀 The difference between Persian and Spanish saffron is in the scent and color. Persian saffron has more scent and way more color for the same quantity as Spanish saffron. 🙂
Daniela Apostol
It looks lovely! Great photos too!
unicornsinthekitchen@gmail.com
Thanks!
Noel
You're so right about the connection between food, family and memories. Thank you for sharing your mother's recipe with us!
unicornsinthekitchen@gmail.com
Hi Noel! I love sharing family recipes and I hope you like this pudding if you make it! <3