Omaj halva dessert recipe with Iranian saffron

Halva Omaj is one of the most delicious Iranian halva, which is mostly made in religious and mourning ceremonies. The warm nature of halva eliminates the coldness of sadness. This delicious dessert has a different taste and texture, which is different from other pastries. In the local language of Azerbaijan, this halva is called Omaj Halvasi. The word umaj in Turkish means grinding, which means that the flour of this halva should be rubbed between the palms of the hands until it becomes fine sand.

ingredients :

Wheat flour = 2 cups
Milk = 1 cup
Sugar = 1/2 cup
Water = 1 cup
Grape juice = 1/2 cup
Rose water = 3 tablespoons
Cardamom powder = 1/4 teaspoon
Saffron mixed with hot water = 1/3 cup
Powdered walnuts = 1/2 cup
Oil = 3/4 cup
Salt = 1/8 teaspoon

Instruction :

Step 1: Prepare the halva flour
First, pour the flour into a tray and mix the salt with it. Sprinkle the milk gently on the flour by hand or with the help of a sprinkler. Then knead the flour by hand to form small balls of dough or so-called umaj. Place the tray in a corner of the kitchen to dry. It takes about 4 to 5 hours for the umaj to dry.

Step 2: Prepare halva nectar
Mix sugar, water and saffron and put on heat. Add grape juice and let it boil slowly. Add cardamom and rose powder to the nectar and turn off the heat.

Step 3: Crush the flour balls
When the omelets are completely dry, they are poured into a mixer or food processor to make the grains smooth and fine like grains of sand. In the past, this was done by hand with a sieve, which was the most difficult step in preparing halva.

Step 4: Fry the flour
Pour the flour into a pan and put it on the heat and fry. When the flour is well fried, add the oil and fry.

Step 5: Add nectar to omega
When the umajs are fried and reach the desired color, add the syrup to it and stir on the heat until they are completely mixed and the syrup is completely absorbed by the halva. When the nectar is completely mixed with the umaj, put the lid on the dish to brew the halva. This is due to the presence of fine grains of omaj dough that is fully cooked. This will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. In the meantime, be sure to stir the halva several times so that it does not settle.
Finally add the powdered walnuts and mix thoroughly. Your halva is ready to pour into the desired dish and decorate.

Important Notes:
– If the flour does not dry completely after sprinkling the milk, it will be pelleted inside the halva.
– Grape juice can be used in the preparation of Omaj halva syrup.
– One kilo of flour usually gives you 3 to 4 dishes of halva.
– When frying flour, if you want the color of halva to be darker, you should fry the flour more.

Omaj halva dessert recipe with Iranian saffron