Atta Halwa (Whole Wheat Fudge)

Prasadam (offering to Gods) used to be an incentive which kept us hooked to religious poojas as kids. Mom would make mouth-watering sweets full of goodness for almost all main poojas.
Halwa with lots of nuts makes a great sweet dish at festivities be it the more popular carrot, semolina and Doodhi(bottle gourd) halwa or the simple whole wheat halwa .
I adore the simplicity of atta halwa and that is what I prepared last week for naivedyam.

3/4 cup Coarse ground whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar (I like it mildly sweet, hence I use only 1/2 cup sugar)
2.5 cups water(warm)
3-4 tbsp ghee
1/2 cup chopped cashew and almonds
1/4 cup golden raisins
1/2 tspn cardamom powder

Roast wheat flour in ghee till light brownish on a slow to medium flame stirring constantly. The unmistakable aroma of roasted wheat flour is hard to miss. I usually add 1 whole cashew in the beginning and when the cashew turns brown I know the roasting is done.
Now add all cashew and almond pieces and raisins. Roast for another 2 minutes.
Add the sugar while stirring constantly.
Add the warm water till it gets incorporated in the flour. The water will quickly disappear and the volume of the halwa would be doubled.
Add the cardamom powder and give a final stir. The rich appetizing aroma fills the kitchen.
Cover for a minute. Switch off the flame.
Indulge your sweet tooth in the goodness of atta halwa. A simple way to please the Gods !

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