Satyanarayan Pooja Sooji Halwa (Semolina Halwa)

A pooja that was enjoyed and liked by not only the humans around but by the heavenly gods too. A pooja which was in the complete sense a symbol of love, peace and compassion. Nobody was harmed and noone was tortured to bring positivity and blessings in the house.
So how was the traditional sweet (prasad) and the panchamrut (food for gods) made without the traditional ingredients like milk, ghee, honey, yogurt and sugar. Very simple- just veganised them!
And were the Gods pleased…..I am sure they were!!!
I never really enjoyed the traditional prasad it always had the feeling of having something very unhealthy and though everyone used to go ga-ga over the taste I never really understood the fuss,
But today while making the vegan version of the same prasad I was truly surprised the aroma, the taste were just the same and best of all it was completely guilt free. Since turning vegan I had become a little averse to all the rituals and festivals because of the amount of torture involved. Now since I have started experimenting and exploring various ingredients I feel the joy and positivity in all these rituals have increased manifold.
Traditionally the prasad is made with wheat semolina, ghee and sugar in equal proportions. (1.25 cups each). But today while making the prasad I felt it would be too rich hence stuck to the quantities mentioned below. Coconut butter is an excellent ghee replacer and gives the exact same flavour and aroma to the dish.
Sharing my joy with you too….

  • 1.25 cups sooji/coarse semolina/millet rawa
  • 1/2 cup coconut butter
  • 1 cup organic jaggery
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 cup mashed banana
  • 1/2 cup coarsely ground nuts
  • 2 cups water (2.5 cups water if using millet rawa) (Substitute with almond milk or any other non dairy milk)
  1. In a bowl, mix the semolina and coconut butter thoroughly. Roast this mixture in a thick bottom pan on medium heat. DO NOT MOVE AWAY AND KEEP STIRRING. The coconut butter can burn easily.
  2. Add the cardamom powder and mix well.
  3. Boil water (non dairy milk if using) in a separate vessel. Add the water to the semolina and mix well to prevent forming lumps. Add the mashed banana and jaggery. Mix well. Cover and cook till the semolina is cooked.
  4. Once cooked, turn the heat off and garnish with the chopped nuts.
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