MACEDONIAN DARK HALVA WITH ALMONDS

As I've written in my previous halva recipe, halva is a sweet treat served in parts of Asia, Africa, Balkan, parts of Europe and in the Jewish world. There are many types of halva and here in Macedonia it is usually prepared as in the following recipe.

Ingredients:
  • 150 g butter
  • 1 cup semolina
  • chopped almonds
  • 2-3 cups water
  • 2 tbs cocoa
  • 1 cup sugar
Preparation:  
  1. Heat butter in a pan, add semolina and nuts, cook and stir for about 5-7 minutes or until semolina is browned.  
  2. Combine sugar, cocoa and water and stir over heat (do not boil the mixture). Simmer for 5 minutes. Gradually add hot syrup to semolina mixture and stir on a low heat until smooth. 
  3. Let it cool down for 15 minutes covered, then place it in a greased cake pan or in molds. Halva is ready for serving in a couple of minutes. 
Enjoy!