Vinku's Badam Halwa 

Ingredients

I usually make it with 1 cup badam but maybe you should use 2 cups. 2 cups badam (peeled or unpeeled) 1 3/4 cups sugar 

3/4 tsp saffron 

1/2 tsp cardamom 

1. If badam is already peeled, soak in hot water for an hour or more. 

2. If badam is not peeled, then in a stainless steel vessel, add the badam and enough water to cover it. Heat until the water boils and let it boil for 2 minutes. When it has cooled down, peel off the skin. There are two ways to do this. Rub the badam together and most of the skin will come off. The second way - hold each badam by the pointy end and squeeze lightly. the whole skin will come off. 

3. Grind the badam to a smooth paste using enough water. 

 4. Place the badam paste in a pan and add the sugar. Keep the heat on low to medium and keep stirring occasionally to make sure it doesn't burn. After about 15 minutes, add saffron - crush it with your hand as you are adding it. 

 5. The mixture will slowly start turning translucent - it will take a good 30 to 30 minutes Make sure the heat is low. 

6. When it is semi-solid and translucent, turn off the heat and add the cardamom. The above tastes really good even without any ghee. You could even mix it in milk and drink it like badam kheer.