Moong Dal Halwa
 Moong dal halwa garnished with dry fruits | |
| Course | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  India |
| Region or state | Rajasthan [1] |
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Moong Dal, Ghee, Milk, Sugar, Cardamom Powder, Dry Fruits |
Moong Dal Halwa is a traditional Indian dessert made from yellow moong dal (split mung beans), ghee (clarified butter), sugar, and milk or water and is garnished with dry fruits.[2] Originating from the Rajasthan,[3] it is particularly popular in the northern indian states. It is typically prepared during winter months and festive occasions such as Diwali, Holi, and weddings.[4] The halwa is slow-cooked to enhance its nutty and caramelized taste, often garnished with cardamom, saffron, and an assortment of dry fruits. Due to its labor-intensive preparation and decadent use of ghee, moong dal halwa is considered a delicacy and is often reserved for special celebrations.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, carried moong dal halwa with him aboard the International Space Station as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4), making it one of the special Indian dishes he brought to orbit.[5][6]
Preparation
[edit]To prepare Moong Dal Halwa, yellow moong dal is soaked for a few hours and ground into a coarse paste. The paste is then slowly roasted in ghee until golden brown and aromatic. A hot mixture of sugar and milk or water is added, and the halwa is cooked until thick and smooth. Cardamom powder is added for flavor, and the dish is garnished with chopped dry fruits. The process is time-consuming and requires constant stirring to avoid burning.[7][8]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "moong dal halwa recipe". Tarla Dalal. 2020-03-11.
- ^ Alaana (2025-04-09). The Indian Foodie Vol. 1. Blue Rose Publishers.
- ^ bikaneri_bites (2023-10-30). "Dessert: Moong Dal Halwa for Celebrations - A Taste of Festivity". Bikaner Bites. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Stone, Martha (2015-01-08). Indian Slow Cooker: Getting to Know the Basics of Slow Cooked Indian Kitchen Delicacies. Martha Stone.
- ^ "Gajar ka halwa, moong dal halwa, aam ras' What Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla took to International Space Station". Hindustan Times. June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Shukla in Space: Shared Gajar ka Halwa, Aam Ras with Astronauts, Tells PM Modi". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2025-06-28.
- ^ Dalal, Tarla (1999-10-01). Mithai. Sanjay & Co. ISBN 978-81-86469-38-5.
- ^ Aggarwal, Juhi (1997). A Text Book Of Supw Vol I. Pitambar Publishing. ISBN 978-81-209-0853-6.