{"id":"recipe_1dc6ab6694","slug":"halva-halawa-tahiniya","title":"Halva (Halawa Tahiniya)","description":"A dense, crumbly, and sweet North African confection made from toasted sesame tahini and powdered milk, often flavored with vanilla and studded with crunchy pistachios.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":255,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"2 cups tahini","name":"Tahini","quantity":480,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"well-stirred","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 cups powdered milk","name":"Milk","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"powder","notes":"full cream preferred","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 cups powdered sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":240,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"cup","form":"powdered","notes":"confectioners sugar","group":"base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 teaspoon vanilla extract","name":"Vanilla Extract","quantity":5,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"flavoring","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1/2 cup roasted pistachios","name":"Pistachio","quantity":65,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"whole or halved","notes":"unsalted","group":"topping","optional":true}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a large mixing bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and powdered milk to ensure there are no lumps.","group":"Mixing","title":"In a large mixing bowl, sift together the powdered sugar and powdered milk","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Add the vanilla extract to the dry mixture, then gradually pour in the tahini.","group":"Mixing","title":"Add the vanilla extract","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Using a sturdy spatula or your hands, mix the ingredients thoroughly until a stiff, slightly crumbly dough forms that holds its shape when pressed.","group":"Mixing","title":"Mix the ingredients thoroughly","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Mixing"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Line a rectangular container with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Scatter the pistachios across the bottom.","group":"Shaping","title":"Line a rectangular container","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Transfer the halva mixture into the container and press down very firmly with the back of a spoon to compact it. Smooth the top.","group":"Shaping","title":"Transfer the halva mixture","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Shaping"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the texture to firm up.","group":"Setting","title":"Cover the container and refrigerate","timerMinutes":240,"sourceTitle":"Setting"}],"notes":"Ensure the tahini is well-stirred before measuring to include the natural oils. For a vegan version, you can substitute the powdered milk with a plant-based alternative or use more tahini and sugar syrup.","cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"cookingMethod":["noCook"],"equipment":["Mixing bowl","Sifter","Rectangular container","Plastic wrap"],"diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"allergens":["milk","tree_nuts","sesame"],"difficulty":"easy","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"block","note":"Approximately 900g of halva"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Halva is best made at least 24 hours in advance to reach its peak crumbly texture."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent the oils from separating.","reheatingNotes":"Serve cold or at room temperature."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_1dc6ab6694%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=76c062ba-1da3-4e03-acdb-8ec5cf85b006","imageAlt":"Halva (Halawa Tahiniya) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["sesame","tahini","sweet","gluten-free","middle-eastern","traditional"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Halva (Halawa Tahiniya)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T22:42:02.193Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T22:42:02.193Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_ff7317ca1a","slug":"basbousa-egyptian-b8fb751d","title":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup","description":"A traditional Middle Eastern and North African semolina cake, soaked in a fragrant simple syrup and topped with almonds. It is moist, dense, and perfectly sweet.","serves":12,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":40,"totalMinutes":55,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Egyptian","North African"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_ff7317ca1a%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f949f5dc-d4a5-4104-96cc-149b15f42f44","imageAlt":"Basbousa with Lemon Syrup — recipe cover","tags":["semolina","sweet","cake","traditional","middle eastern","dessert"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":6},{"id":"bofrot_60aa63f14d","slug":"bofrot","title":"Bofrot","description":"A classic West African deep-fried dough snack, particularly popular in Ghana, known for its golden-brown exterior and soft, spongy interior.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Ghanaian"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["vegetarian","dairy_free","nut_free","egg_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbofrot_60aa63f14d%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=dc35737d-86e3-4bfe-8e36-ea51c85bda98","imageAlt":"Bofrot — recipe cover","tags":["west african","street food","fried dough","spongy","sweet snack"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":7},{"id":"bouye_f6c3b55cf7","slug":"bouye-baobab-fruit-drink","title":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink)","description":"A thick, creamy, and tangy traditional West African drink made from the nutrient-dense fruit of the baobab tree.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":45,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"African","specific":["Senegalese"]},"course":["dessert"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbouye_f6c3b55cf7%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6898e06-d939-4b3d-8e31-692c9553c209","imageAlt":"Bouye (Baobab Fruit Drink) — recipe cover","tags":["baobab","african drink","senegalese","creamy","vitamin c","exotic juice"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4}]}