Greek Semolina Halva (Halvas Simigdalenios)
A warm spiced semolina pudding toasted in olive oil, then set in a mould and turned out. Vegan, simple and surprisingly impressive.
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.31 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the sugar, water, cinnamon stick, cloves and orange peel in a pan. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 5 minutes. Keep hot over a low heat.
5 min - 2
In a wide, heavy pan heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the semolina and stir constantly for 10 to 12 minutes, until it smells nutty and turns a deep golden brown.
11 min - 3
Stir in the raisins. Step back and pour the hot syrup in gradually, through a sieve, as it will spit and steam.
- 4
Stir hard for 2 to 3 minutes over a low heat, until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
- 5
Take off the heat, cover the pan with a clean tea towel and leave for 10 minutes.
- 6
Pack firmly into an oiled 1 litre mould or ring tin. Leave for 10 minutes more, then turn out and dust with cinnamon. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
