Pistachio Helva with Ice Cream

Pistachio Helva

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of semolina (farina)
• 1 stick of unsalted butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons ground unsalted pistachio nuts meat (I use my coffee grinder)
• Vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions:
In a pot, bring water and sugar to a boil, stirring occasionally. When it comes to a boil, remove from the
heat, set aside.

In a large pot, combine butter and semolina. Sauté the semolina over medium heat stirring slowly for about 5-6 minutes (should NOT turn brown). Lower the heat, slowly add the syrup, stirring constantly. It will thicken. Add 1/2 cup ground pistachio, stir until well blended. Remove from the heat. Cover the pot. Wait 10-15 minutes. Using an ice cream spoon or a melon baller, shape them into balls, place on a serving dish. Sprinkle remaining ground pistachios over them as garnish. Serve warm helva with vanilla ice-cream (optional).

Ground pistachios

Cooked helva

Melon baller used to shape this helva

Ice-cream scoop is used to shape this helva