Halwa Puri - A Festive Breakfast

                          

There are breakfasts that are routine, and then there are breakfasts that feel like a festival. For me, a halwa puri breakfast has always been a special occasion.
I remember Sunday mornings at my uncle's house. The streets outside would be unusually lively, with shopkeepers calling out, "Garm garm puri!" The kitchen would smell of roasted semolina, ghee and cardamom. My father and uncle would return with a large paper bag filled with hot puri, chana masala and soft halwa.
I would sit cross-legged on the floor, my plate in front of me, as the puris were placed one after the other. They would puff up like balloons, crisp and golden, and I would tear them open, scoop out the spicy chana and add the sweet halwa pieces.
Last weekend, I recreated this breakfast at home for my kids. As the semolina turned golden in the ghee, the whole house was filled with the same festive aroma. We sat together at the dining table, tearing up the puris, laughing and sharing pieces of the halwa. No rush, no phone calls — just a family reviving an old tradition in a new setting.

Ingredients:
Sooji (semolina): 1 cup
Sugar: ¾ cup
Ghee: ½ cup
Cardamom: 3 pcs
Chickpeas: 1 cup (boiled)
Onion: 1 medium, chopped
Tomato: 1, chopped
Spices: Red chilli, turmeric, coriander powder
Salt: to taste
Puri Atta: Whole wheat flour + water + salt, knead

Instructions:
Step 1 - Prepare the halwa:
Fry the semolina in ghee until golden and fragrant. Gradually add the sugar and hot water, stirring constantly until thick and glossy. Sprinkle with ground cardamom.

Step 2 - Prepare the Chana Masala:
Fry the onion in oil, add tomatoes, spices and salt. Cook until the spices release their oil, then add the boiled chickpeas. Simmer until thickened.

Step 3 - Fry the puris:
Roll small balls of the dough into thin circles and deep fry until puffed and golden.

Step 4 - Serve together:
Serve the puris hot with spicy chickpeas and sweet halwa on the side.

This breakfast is not just a meal. It is a memory, a celebration, and a reminder that Sunday mornings can still bring the whole family together at one table.