Halva Recipe

Ingredients (17)

• For the Halva: 
• 20 strands saffron
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamom
• 1 cup (160g) semolina, preferably coarse grade
• 2 tablespoons (30g) ghee (see note)
• 3 cups (710ml) boiling water
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon rosewater (optional)
• For the Garnish:
• 2 tablespoons (30g) ghee (see note)
• 6 dried apricots (about 50g total), chopped
• 1/4 cup (40g) raisins 
• 1/4 cup (45g) dried sweet and tart cherries 
• 2 tablespoons (25g) raw shelled blanched chopped pistachios
• 2 tablespoons (20g) raw sliced or slivered almonds
• 2 tablespoons (25g) raw blanched whole cashews