How To Make Bread Halwa In English

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How To Make Bread Halwa

Bread halwa is a popular Indian dessert, particularly enjoyed with biryani, made with bread soaked in milk until soft, then cooked with ghee, sugar, and other ingredients like cardamom and saffron. The resulting dish is a velvety, smooth, and flavorful pudding-like texture. It’s a sweet treat that combines savoury and sweet elements, making it a unique and enjoyable dessert

History of bread halwa

Bread halwa, a popular Indian sweet, is believed to have originated in refugee camps during the Partition of Punjab in 1947. Families, receiving rationed ingredients like bread, milk, and sugar, created this sweet dish to celebrate auspicious occasions. The dish is a reminder of the difficult times and how communities found ways to create joy even with limited resources. 

Here’s a more detailed look at its history:
  • Refugee Camp Origins:

    The recipe is said to have been passed down through generations within refugee families who had crossed the border from Pakistan’s Dera Ismail Khan into the newly formed Punjab.

  • Rationed Ingredients:

    In the refugee camps, families received rationed groceries, including bread, which became a staple ingredient in their cooking.

  • Celebration Despite Adversity:

    Bread halwa was made to celebrate auspicious occasions like Diwali, Gururaj, and New Year, demonstrating how communities found ways to celebrate even during challenging times.

  • A Reminder of Hardship:
    Today, the dish serves as a reminder of the tough times and the ingenuity of those who created a sweet dish from limited ingredients.

process of bread halwa

Ingredients:

  • Bread slices – 6 to 8

  • Ghee (clarified butter) – 4 to 5 tablespoons

  • Sugar – ½ cup (adjust to taste)

  • Milk – 1½ cups

  • Water – ½ cup (optional, if needed)

  • Cashews – 8 to 10

  • Raisins – 8 to 10

  • Cardamom powder – ½ teaspoon

Method:

  1. Prepare the bread:

    • Cut the bread slices into small pieces (remove edges if you like).

    • You can either deep-fry the bread pieces in ghee or lightly toast them in ghee until golden brown.

  2. Fry the dry fruits:

    • In a pan, heat 1 tablespoon ghee.

    • Fry cashews and raisins until golden and puffed. Remove and set aside.

  3. Make the halwa base:

    • In the same pan, add a little more ghee if needed.

    • Add the fried/toasted bread pieces.

    • Pour in the milk and cook on low-medium heat, stirring gently. The bread will soak the milk and become soft.

  4. Add sugar and flavors:

    • Add sugar to the softened bread mixture.

    • Stir continuously; the sugar will melt and the mixture will thicken.

    • Add cardamom powder and mix well.

  5. Finish the halwa:

    • Add remaining ghee little by little while stirring.

    • Cook until the halwa leaves the sides of the pan and becomes glossy.

    • Add the fried cashews and raisins.

  6. Serve:

    • Serve hot or warm. It tastes rich and delicious!

ENJOY YOUR DELICIOUS BREAD HA

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