Semolina - Greek Halva

Oh Semolina Halva, gracious old one! Claimed by all cultures around the eastern Mediterranean sea, this recipe is older than the bible, older than Greeks and Egyptians themselves, the first recorded dessert of the world! Simple, easy, tasty and ever so adaptable! It is no wonder it has such a legacy, it has a simple ratio of 1,2,3,4....

Ingredients

1 cup GAEA Sitia Crete
2 cups semolina (1 cup fine, 1 cup coarse)
3 cups fine sugar
4 cups water (or 2 cups water, 2 cups orange juice)

To Flavour

1/2 cup walnuts
2 cinnamon sticks
Ground cinammon to sprinkle

Time Needed

30 mins

Servings

8

Method

In a pot add the sugar, the water, the orange juice and the cinnamon sticks and bring to a simmer.
In a second heavy base pot on medium heat add the Olive Oil and Semolina and blend stiring continuously, the mixture will start to colour and heat will build up gradually.
When you are happy with the colour (slightly tanned to light brown is best) WITH CAUTION add the syrup mix
Once splurting settles pour into a dish or a beautiful mould and allow to set and cool
sprinkle the top with walnuts and ground cinnamon and serve