Finger Millet Fudge | Ragi Halubai

Halubai – A very authentic sweet delicacy from Karnataka comes in various forms. The basic version of the halubai, which I have always savoured in my childhood during festivities, is made out of rice and is very tasty and healthy.

When I started to cook, I always wanted to try this delicacy with different grains / flour. Each time, the base recipe remains the same while the grains differ, and every time, the outcome has never disappointed the taste buds in us!

Here is a simple, easy yet healthy recipe to Ragi Halubai / Finger millet fudge.

The ‘melt right in the mouth’ texture of this dish is something one cannot resist and makes one keep saying – One more please!!!

You may also like this recipe.

Desserts

You may also like this finger millet recipe.

Soaking Time: 3-4 hours (Overnight)
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours + 45 minutes (Including soaking time)
 Makes: 35 pieces

Ingredients:

Finger millet: 1 cup
Fresh grated coconut: 0.5 cup
Jaggery: 1 cup
Water: 2.5 cup
Ghee: 2 tbsp.
Cardamom: little
Few dry fruits to garnish!

Method:

·        Wash and soak ragi for 3-4 hours or overnight
·        Drain ragi and grind with fresh grated coconut until smooth. Extract the milk using a strainer. Repeat the process for another two times. In the entire process the total water to be used is 2 cups
·        In a pan add jaggery and 0.5 cup of water and let the jaggery melt in it. Strain, if required

·       To the above, add the ragi coconut extract / milk and on low heat keeping stirring

·        Meanwhile, grease a tray and keep ready
·        Continue cooking on medium heat until a thick mass is formed. Add ghee in between
·        Add cardamom to the above and mix well
·        Once it starts leaving the pan, remove from heat and transfer to the greased tray

·        Flatten it and let it sit for some time
·        When it is still warm, mark and cut it
·        Garnish with almonds or cashews

·        Ragi Halubai is ready to relish!

Ragi Halubai Stories:

Halubai is our family favourite. And this one, especially, is my daughter’s favourite. I have tried my hand with a variety of halubais starting with the traditional one with rice, going on with the quick and easier ones using wheat flour or jowar flour and a yummy and tasty one with ragi / finger millet. Each of them have a unique taste yet is so delicious. When the halubai is finally ready, I am always asked – aah! Why is it so little? In the locality where we live, there are a lot of Indian families. Come festivities, there is this tradition of exchange of sweets / delicacies among us. Once when I prepared this dish, the instant question from my daughter was – “Do we need to share this with all? If so, I would hardly get 1 for myself!!! Can you please prepare something else for others so that I can keep this to myself?” And so, I had to prepare a second round, only this time, it was meant to be shared with my friends here – Indians and Germans alike. They all liked it for its soft texture, the coconut and finger millet flavour, and the light sweetness from jaggery!