Choco-Banana Halwa Barfi

This is an adaptation of the banana halwa that is made during Navratris in North India, to break fasts(vrats). The recipe is fairly simple and several variations can be made depending on ingredients you have in the pantry. Skip the cocoa powder and you have a traditional banana halwa. This can be had hot as well like a regular halwa. Nuts to be used depending on availability, though I find that walnuts and cashew nuts go particularly well in this recipe. This recipe makes about 250 gms of the sweet.

Ingredients

1 Cup Chopped Ripe Bananas
1 Cup Grated Khoya(200 gms)
1/2 Cup Coarsely ground nuts(Walnuts, Cashews)
1/4 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Cocoa Powder
Ghee for greasing

Step 1: Grease a small 6 x 8 straight edged pan with ghee, to be used for setting the barfi. Skip this if you want to have it hot.

Step 2: Heat a tbsp of ghee in a thick bottomed non-stick vessel. Add in the entire quantity of Banana and Khoya and cook on low-medium heat, till ghee oozes out from the mixture. Stir constantly to prevent scorching of the bottom layer. This should take around 5-7 minutes apprx.

Step 3: Add Sugar and coarsely-ground nuts and mix well. Continue to cook and stir for another 10-12 minutes, till the mixture turns brown.

Step 4: Add the milk and cocoa powder and cook till it starts leaving the side of the pan.

Step 5: Transfer the contents into the greased pan from Step 1, level it and allow it to cool. Cut into desired shapes and serve. The consistency will be slightly gooey/fudgy when hot.