A Heartwarming Way to Get You Going on a Chilly Day (or any day)
When the frost is on the window, getting going may mean going against your grain. That's the time for an Old Indian surprise halava. Steaming hot and full of fruit, nuts, and buttery, wheaty goodness, halava will fuel you through the morning in good style. So, whether you're going to climb the Himalayas or catch the 8:01, try going with your grain halava.
Here are the makings:
1 cup farina (or Cream of Wheat)
Half cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 cups water,
Third cup strawberries (and/or other fruit or nut bits)
Before you start cooking the grains, put the sugar and water into a one-quart saucepan and let the mixture simmer.
Next, melt the butter in a skillet, add the farina, and cook the grains on a low flame for twenty minutes, or until they turn golden brown. Stir constantly with a wooden spoon (don't burn!). Just as the grains are starting to turn golden brown, add the strawberries (or whatever you come up with).
Then, as soon as the grains are ready, bring the sugar-water mixture to a rapid boil and slowly add it to the grains. Keep the whole combination on a low flame for two minutes, stirring all the while.
Finally, take the pan off the flame and stir for one more minute. Chant Hare Krsna (to bring out the best in any dish) and serve hot. (Makes four portions.)