Registration of new members is currently closed. Guestbook opened for now.  Guests who have questions may post at our guestbook.  No lengthy debates please. Kindly note: MV is a place for serious learning through mutual consultation where we have zero tolerance for trouble-makers, narcissists and needless disputants. We simply stand for what is compatible with the Noble Quran regardless of titles such as "traditionalism" or "modernism." We have the right to our opinion just as you have the right to yours. All disagreements must be left at that. Final Judgement belongs to The Almighty.
MUSLIM VILLA - QURAN ONLY
March 28, 2024, 06:34:45 pm
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
 
  Home Help Search Arcade Gallery Links Staff List Calendar Login Register  

Sohan desserts: Candy and halwa-style sweets

+-
Shoutbox
November 01, 2023, 03:44:32 pm Zainab_M: Allahhuma ameen .. ameen.
November 01, 2023, 03:43:43 pm Ruhi_Rose: Yes .. making lots of dua everyday ..... watching those real life video clips, my face feels wet with tears all the time.  May ALLAH grant the best to these wonderful, brave & steadfast martyrs,  Ameen ya Allah.
November 01, 2023, 03:38:26 pm Zainab_M: Keep praying, praying a lot for Gaza. It's worse than a prison .. it's a concentration camp.  Children as young as 10 or 11 are having to care for their younger siblings ages 2, 3 and 4 becoz many have lost both parents.  It's a very, very, very tearful situation there.
October 26, 2023, 03:40:19 pm N. Truth Seeker: Don't forget to look up MV Blog Zainab's Lounge for our Gaza updates.
October 20, 2023, 04:24:44 pm Zainab_M: Right sister Heba.  Gaza hospital bombing has the fingerprints of Israel all over it.  For Israel this is no big crime.  They have done this and much worse many times in the past and intend to do the same and worse many more times in near future.
October 20, 2023, 04:20:20 pm Heba E. Husseyn: Catching Zionist lies isn't hard. Soon after Gaza hospital bombing killing and maiming hundreds, Israel was quick to accuse Islamic Jihad of a misfired rocket.  That didn't sound plausible because IJ does not have such sophisticated bombing devices.  Zionist lie was fully exposed when anglican archbishop of Jerusalem,Hosam Naoum,  said today that 3 or 4 days prior to boming Israel had warned Gaza hospital to evacuate. Yet CIA claims in its flawed analysis that the rocket did not come from Israel.  But conveniently does not explain how Israel could have known 4 days earlier that a "misfired" rocket from IJ was coming.  Yet on the basis of this flawed & bias analysis of CIA, Biden is comforting Israel he believes Israel didn't do that war crimes bombing.
July 29, 2023, 03:02:07 am Zainab_M: Yesterday was Ashura, Muharram 10, 1444 (July 27, 2023).  Read about this very tragic day and details of the world's greatest 7th century revolutionary: WHO WAS HUSSEIN.
June 28, 2023, 09:48:39 am Zainab_M: Walaikum As Salaam.  This was the first Hajj open to all after the pandemic. It was attended by 2.6 million Muslims.
View Shout History
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Send this topic  |  Print  
Author Topic: Sohan desserts: Candy and halwa-style sweets  (Read 698 times)
0 Members and 14 Guests are viewing this topic.
Ruhi_Rose
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA The Avid Reader | Mom of 3 cute rascals
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6287



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« on: June 23, 2019, 08:13:07 am »



BismEm  and  salamem everyone.

First let's prepare the hard sohan candy-style, or Sohan-e-Qom, as it's popularly known.   This is a traditional specialty of the holy city of Qom, south-west of Tehran, Iran.   It is buttery and brittle, studded with pistachios and flavored heavily with saffron strands.


     
This is apparently a professionally made sohan in  retail store, cut into pieces with one of those large candy cutters.  Since most kitchens don't have that, thus spreading sohan on butter paper or parchment paper in small, separate circles is best as shown below.



Ingredients for Sohan-e-Qom:
2 and a half tbsp  all-purpose flour
2 tsp (sprouted) wheat flour
1 cup white sugar
8 tbsp water
10 tbsp  butter (unsalted) .. can be substituted with corn oil but may not taste as great
6 tbsp corn syrup - dark or light doesn't matter (this maybe optional), you can substitute it with 3 tbsp honey
½ tsp green cardamom powder .... also use a few whole ones split open
½ tsp saffron strands
few drops of saffron essence (commonly known as kewra in Pakistan)
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ slivered almonds
½ cup unsalted pistachios, crushed
parchment paper (or butter paper)

Instructions
Remember to be organized ..... mise en place [mi zɑ̃ ˈplas] Cheesy

Put the dry ingredients in the required bowls and cups;  keep the butter and honey ready close by.   Have some parchment paper sheets ready.  You will need them for lining the flat dish or tray while spreading the hot sohan.

Put both kinds of flour and sugar into a saucepan (preferably non-stick) and cook over medium heat for couple of minutes, stirring constantly.   Next, add water and stir till sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture begins to boil.   Then, add butter until it melts.  Flavor with kewra.  Finally add honey or corn syrup (whichever you choose), pinch of salt, saffron and cardamoms. Keep stirring.  The longer you stir and the hotter it gets, the harder will be the sohan (hard candy type).   Even a few minutes of extra cooking can make a difference in the consistency of the sohan.   When you see it getting quite hot, shut the cooker, quickly but carefully add the almonds, stir and spread the sohan mixture on the parchment in little circles.  Don't circle them too close to each other as they will need room to spread.   Last step, sprinkle the pistachios on the sohan circles and press them gently on the sohan with the back of a spoon. 

That's it.  You're done!  Smiley    Let it cool.
 
Enjoy with tea, coffee or just a plain glass of cool water.   Alhumdulilah.



That was sohan candy which is different from sohan halwa of Pakistan.  The Multani sohan halwa, a specialty of the Pakistani city of Multan is a sticky and nutty dessert.

Whole milk 1 liter
White flour and whole wheat flour mixed half cup 
Citric acid half tsp or little more if necessary
1 cup sugar
Green cardamom powder 1 tsp level and a few whole ones split
Unsalted butter half cup
Slivered almonds
Chopped Pistachios
Walnut pieces  half cup
Kewra essence 1 tsp and few strands of saffron
(remember to soak the saffron in 2 tbsp water)
Brown food color one-quarter tsp or little more if required

Boil milk.  Add citric acid.  Stir until milk cuddles.  Shut the cooker and leave it for a few minutes.  Then put the cooker on and stir.  Let the whey from the cuddled milk reduce sufficiently.  This would take 20 minutes on medium to low temperature. 

Next, gradually add flour.  Keep stirring to prevent lumping though some smaller bits of lumps will remain which is okay.  Continue stirring and try to crush as many lumps as possible with the back of a wooden kitchen spoon. 

When it gets thicker, add sugar, cardamom, kewra and saffron.  Keep stirring.  Add chopped walnuts. 

Last, add butter gradually.  Keep stirring.  If you wish you may also use Mazola corn oil instead of butter though it mightn't taste as nice.  Nonetheless, it would surely be healthier.  Cook for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.  By now the consistency of the halwa should look quite thick.  Stir for another 5 minutes. 

Spread on a square shaped flat dish.   Sprinkle the rest of the nuts on the halwa.  Smoothen it patting with the back of a spatula.  Allow to cool for at least an hour.  Then cut into squares with a knife.  It's a sticky halwa so the squared won't cut clean.  Leave to cool for a while longer before enjoying the results of your hard work   Smiley

Please note, use of brown color is a must.  Otherwise the halwa won't get its traditional color.  That talk about the color coming on its own as the milk cooks is a myth.  That really doesn't happen.   Some folks suggest to use cocoa powder for the brown color.  Not advisable.  We don't want a chocolaty taste is in a halwa like sohan.   You can buy brown coloring online from Amazon.  Or, you would find Wilton brown gel color at Bulk Barn.  For a brighter brown color mix a wee bit of Wilton yellow gel color with the brown.



This is how it should look, a single square piece from the spread-out halwa on a flat dish.  The rough grainy look is because of the cuddled milk.

Report Spam   Logged

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Zainab_M
TEAM MV Founder
Admin
Hero Member
*
Posts: 6318



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2019, 08:28:20 am »



Both desserts absolutely mouth-watering!  But does look like too much work  Undecided
Report Spam   Logged

Ruhi_Rose
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA The Avid Reader | Mom of 3 cute rascals
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6287



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2019, 08:32:41 am »



   Cheesy   Couldn't agree more sis.  It does involve quite some work.  You can make with smaller quantities of ingredients ... half of the measurements mentioned here.  That would be simpler and quicker, Insh'Allah.   

Allah willing, some day I will make it and send it to you  Smiley


Report Spam   Logged

Zainab_M
TEAM MV Founder
Admin
Hero Member
*
Posts: 6318



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2019, 08:34:16 am »



Aw!  thank ye dear sis.  How thoughtful  Smiley

Yes, using smaller quantities is a good idea ......
Report Spam   Logged

Heba E. Husseyn
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA Villa Artisan
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4974



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #4 on: June 24, 2019, 08:23:14 am »


Yums folkies   Shocked    Looks great!  Smiley   I've tasted sohan candy several times in the past (purchased from store, not homemade  Undecided Smiley ) but never knew about that halwa.  Hope to try it soon enough in my kitchen, Insh'Allah.  It looks simpler to make than the candy.    Btw, where to find citric acid?   How about putting lemon juice?  Isn't that best for cuddling milk?

Report Spam   Logged

Ruhi_Rose
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA The Avid Reader | Mom of 3 cute rascals
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6287



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2019, 08:36:41 am »



Sis, citric acid in available in Bulk Barn.  Maybe you can use lemon juice too ... for 1 liter of milk, one large yellow lemon.  I just hope it doesn't leave too much of lemony or sour flavor.  We don't want that in sohan halwa either.   
Report Spam   Logged

Heba E. Husseyn
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA Villa Artisan
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4974



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2019, 08:39:22 am »



I see ..... so will it be available in regular grocery stores?
Report Spam   Logged

Ruhi_Rose
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA The Avid Reader | Mom of 3 cute rascals
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 6287



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2019, 08:59:20 am »



It should be available in most grocery stores in the canning or spices section.  I know for sure it's there in Bulk Barn and perhaps Lablaws.   Look under the name citric acid.  In Bulk Barn they also have lemon flavored salt which could be simply salt with lemon essence or artificial lemon flavor.  You don't need that.  But if you ask specifically for citric acid there won't be any mixup or confusion.

In case you don't find it (though I'm certain you will Insh'Allah) .... you can also prepare it at home ... as my sister did.  Quite simple.  In one cup lemon juice add 2 tablespoons of salt.  Stir well, pour it into a saucepan and let it come to boil.  You will observe a white crust-like substance forming on top.  Scrape or skim it and collect this white crust in a clean little bowl or plate.  Continue boiling and scraping until lemon juice is finished in the saucepan.  Let the crust dry a bit, drain off any liquid that maybe running along the sides.  It would be a good idea to place it on a double sheet of paper towel for a while.  Then put it in a small airtight jar or ziplock bag and store in some dark, dry and cool spot.  It might remain a bit damp, but that doesn't matter. 
 

Report Spam   Logged

Heba E. Husseyn
TEAM MUSLIM VILLA Villa Artisan
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4974



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #8 on: June 24, 2019, 09:15:55 am »



O, thanks a lot sis.  I'll remember the homemade alternative in case I don't find it.
Report Spam   Logged

N. Truth Seeker
Quiet guy technology nerd | TEAM MUSLIM VILLA
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4347



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #9 on: June 26, 2019, 10:12:26 am »


Sohan-e-Qom is delectable.  Had it many times, my mom is expert in it.   I must also give her the recipe of the second dessert.  She might be able to make that too.   That halwa looks quite like fudge.

I think Sohan candy is also had in Pakistan.  Once a Pakistan friend of our family who lives in U.K. gave my family a present of Sohan brittles made by some sweet manufacturing company of Pakistan.  It was good but no flavor of saffron nor augmented with pistachios.  Just a few bits of blanched almonds as substitute.
Report Spam   Logged

Zainab_M
TEAM MV Founder
Admin
Hero Member
*
Posts: 6318



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2019, 09:34:22 am »



Yes brother, in Pakistan too Sohan is popular, known as Sohan-papri. But you're spot on.  No saffron flavor nor pistachios.  With inflation sky rocketing to astronomical heights - despite never experiencing the challenges of sanctions - use of ingredients like saffron and pistachios would see the price of a single piece of Sohan candy not much less than a 15 carat diamond solitaire!  Even without saffron and pistachios the price is hardly affordable by the majority except on special occasions.

Report Spam   Logged

N. Truth Seeker
Quiet guy technology nerd | TEAM MUSLIM VILLA
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4347



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2019, 09:40:09 am »



hummm ..... in Iran too cost of living including items like these has spiked much but that's entirely because of the sanctions.   I've heard many reports on Pakistan's soaring cost of living almost reaching dollar levels but without dollar level incomes.  And considering that it's never faced sanctions (except probably for a couple of years after nuclear testing in 1998 or 99), there's no reason for such price hikes ... unless the system is going on the wrong path.

Report Spam   Logged

Zainab_M
TEAM MV Founder
Admin
Hero Member
*
Posts: 6318



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #12 on: June 29, 2019, 09:52:09 am »




That's precisely the problem .... the system is moving on a very, very wrong track.   With the feudal system with no agricultural tax in a predominantly agricultural country, Pakistan is losing billions every year in its revenue and is permanently cash strapped.  With costs going up more modestly in other parts of the world as well, in Pakistan with very insufficient internal revenue, costs are climbing at breakneck speed by the week.  The local Pak currency (rupees) is losing, on average, 5 points against the U.S. and Canadian dollars every week.  It's never been like this.   The solution of such a problem by the country's establishment is to devalue the local currency instead of working to abolish the bad system with land reforms etc. 

~ deep sigh ~    Sad


Report Spam   Logged

N. Truth Seeker
Quiet guy technology nerd | TEAM MUSLIM VILLA
Hero Member
*****
Posts: 4347



WWW
Badges: (View All)
« Reply #13 on: June 29, 2019, 09:55:00 am »



Lamentable, honestly ......  Sad
Report Spam   Logged


Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Send this topic  |  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Scammers & spammers will be reported | © If you borrow MV contents you must mention our link with hypertext | MV Team is not responsible for comments by members or guests.
Bookmark this site! | Upgrade This Forum
SMF For Free - Create your own Forum


Powered by SMF | SMF © 2016, Simple Machines
Privacy Policy