Anyone Making Halva?

[minas6907]

Hi everyone! Recently, for some reason, the idea of making halva popped into my head, and after doing some research, I've seen that the agitation is a very important part, inducing crystallization of the candy. I've seen various site give recipes that are pretty much 'boil, mix, pour,' and they dont seem too promising, though I havent tried them, but just by perhaps a picture of the result, I can see that the halva is too soft. I'm looking for more of the crumbly texture halva that I've had since a kid, no particular brand, though around here we have Sadaf. Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had a recipe that they swore by taht they could share. Probably the most promising recipes so far have been from this post:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101209192453AAY9LZA

I'm not thrilled that the recipes came from someone posting on yahoo answers, but the pulling, mixing, and kneading processes seemed to be what I'm looking for, as seen in these videos:

and

Anyways, I also was reading this thread from '09, but havent made any of the recipes mentioned.

All in all, anyone have a recipe that is promising? The tahini paste is not such a cheap product to be wasting, haha. Thanks!

[MelissaH]

Thanks for asking. I can't help with the recipe, but just ate the last of the really good stuff I brought home from Brooklyn and would like to make some of my own.

MelissaH

[cookman]

Have you checked out these previous threads?

Here

and

Here Also

[minas6907]

Thanks for those. I did previously read them. So far, I've made two recipes, and I know they are not going to set up enough, no matter how long I leave them in the fridge, they are too soft. My next attempt will likely be the recipe here: http://tasty-recipes.blogspot.com/2005/12/sesame-halva.html This recipe is basically the same as one I've already tried, and as was my suspision of the the candy setting up firmer if the sugar was cooked longer, this recipe calls for cooking the sugar 20 degrees f higher then all the rest, so that seems like it should do it. But after that, depending on how that turns out, I think I'll try the recipe Kerry did here: http://egullet.org/p1750184

[Lior]

Hi

I made one that I liked a lot, after it had cured in the fridge. IMO it was perfect. I posted it on one of those sites and there is a video of the process, which I think I translated into English. Let me know if you cant find it.

[minas6907]

Hey, thanks for the response. I think I may know which one your talking about, but after two very unsuccessful attempts, and with the cost of tahini, I just havent gotton around to it. I will one of these days. But one thing I was wondering, does it not also crystalize at room temp? All the recipes say to store it in the fridge, but all the halva I have ever had was just stared at room temp. Did you ever store the candy in a cabinet or something and see how that affects the texture? Does it start to sweat?

[Lior]

I always put in fridege as it is usually hot and humid here. I suggest trying in and out and then we can all hear the results! |Should be an interesting experiment. Good luck!