I am addicted to Helva, so I try to avoid buying when I see it as I have no control. Now you show us how to make it and I have a jar of tahini in the cupboard. This could be my undoing Refika. Thank so much to you and crew for this.
Oooh, I have had it before. It's so good... it's highly addictive. Unfortunately, it is high in calories. And because it is so yummy, you might set to and eat a lot of it... and then feel a bit queasy. Guess how I know. ;-) Consider yourself warned. :-) :-D
Refika to stop the sugar crystallising in the pan while boiling it, put a lid on the pan. The steam created will automatically clean the sides of the pan for you. A glass lid is best so you can see what is happening in the pan without needing to lift the lid to check on the sugar.
I only just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it. I love your energy, passion, sense of fun while explaining the science and history behind each step. I’m also enjoying learning how to make the food, learning Turkish and things about Turkish culture at the same time. What I love most is how you are trying to bring everyone around the world together. 🙂
This reminds me a lot of my childhood back in Romania. We have a similar version called halva made from sunflower seeds inspired by the Turkish one. Before Christmas and Easter people fast for a few weeks. This fast means they don't eat anything animal related (no eggs, milk, meat) but halva is fast friendly for us so my mum and my grandmother would always buy a lot of halva during that time because it is sweet but at the same time it helps you to stay full for longer with this sudden plant based diet. In those weeks I would eat enough halva to last me until the next fasting period. Now after this video I really want to try the tahini version.
Ooooh! I need that recipe! What is. Romanian sunflower seed Halvah called? How do I find a recipe??? Thank you for sharing with us! I love how with youtube we can make the world just a little bit smaller place, bringing us closer together. What better way to do that than with sharing food?
@mimi buckles There are a lot of recipes available online. You may find them as Romanian halva (halva de floarea soarelui) or Russian halva (semechki halva, hope I wrote that right).
Güzel yorumları görünce ve insanların “Türk mutfağına aşık olmamı sağladın Refika.” demesi beni gururlandırıyor. Anne gururu var şu an içimde Refika 🥺💛
Here in Argentina, we have a very popular candy called Mantecol. It's the same recipe, but we use peanut instead of tahini. A greek family (Georgalos) arrived to Argentina in the 40's, and they started to produce Helva, until they decided to change the main ingredient with peanut ( sesame was an expensive and imported ítem, and peanut was produced localy)
I mean, no way! This morning I woke up with the thought: “I want some halva, but I wanna find a recipe.” I literally forgot about it until I saw your video pop up in my RU-vid. Definitely making this today!!!! 😍
Yummmm .... I want to go to Istanbul .... and die of a Helva overdose! I have always liked Turkish food and culture, but looking at Refika's videos, and watching her and Bahar and Borek clown around while they make these amazing Turkish dishes ... makes me wish I was there with them. Keep up the good work. You are amazing Ambassadors of Turkey, bringing a little piece of modern Ottoman Empire into my home!
I haven’t had helva since I was a kid, we had a neighbour lady who used to make it once a year and give lots to her neighbours before taking the rest for sale at the holiday bazaar. Thank you so much for showing us this Refika, and for the memory. I can’t wait to make it and - especially eat it! ❤️
I had sunflower helva in Russia. It turned out to be delicious, but at first I didn't even know that it was something to eat, because of the color -- an unappealing, dark, brownish grey!
I love the variety of Turkish Cuisine.Some people just think that it is all about kebab.It makes me sad.But Refika thanks to you for helping people to discover this variation.
I had some halva/helva once. It wasn't homemade, though. I got it through Universal Yums earlier this month. My aunt subscribed me to it, and each month, they send you a box of snacks from a different country. This month's box was from Turkey and it included halva. I bit into it and it was one of the best things I ever ate. Now I want to make it myself, ideally the chocolate halva.
@@gabbyb9418 I made some halva last month. Used dark chocolate for it. The tahini didn't get mixed in all the way so from a certain angle, it looked like gold leaf. I took some to my hormone doctor's office and offered it to her, but she turned it down. That's okay, more for me.
The first time I tasted helva was in a tiny Lebanese take away in Paris, I was maybe 8 years old. I still remember the revelation it had been. Many years later, as a parisian student, I found a great shawarma place, which became my pistacchio helva dealer. I don't eat very often helva, but each time I have a bite into it, I am overwhelmed by rememberance and emotion.
I was looking for helva recipe two days ago. I crave it so much. Found some weird recipes on RU-vid, but yours is the authentic one. Amazing as always!
I have been addicted to Turkish cuisine lately. Thank you for the tutorial. I appreciate you talking about the history and informing us the history of the dish.
Greetings! Y'all from Texas! You thought I was gone huh? Sick very sick twice! Old bats don't die easily. Lol! Missed both of you, lots of love. Blessings
I made halva for the first time using your instructions (minus the pistaccios) and it turned out GREAT! Thank you! For anyone else trying this, make sure to get the sugar up to "hard ball" stage.
Спасибо! Обожаю эту кунжутную халву с какао, и с грецким орехом. Еще всю жизнь я ем халву из семян подсолнечника, у нас в России и Молдавии это очень распространено, даже в виде конфет в глазури есть 'Халва глазированная, Рот Фронт'
I loved it, Helva or Halawa (as pronounced in Arabic) is very popular in Egypt, but we have a different recipe that literally takes zero time, you only add 1 cup of powder milk, 1 cup of powdery suger, and finally 1 cup of tahini then mix it well, add any kind of nuts in a bowl, add the mixture in the bowl, press it well, refrigerate it for couple of hours and it's done ❤️ but since it contains milk, this makes it less presistent than the turkish version, but both are just lovely ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is happiness in a pan. Looks soooooo delicious. Refika, you are a delight to watch, so talented and knowledgeable. Refika + your team = Magic You are loved.❤️
Refika chickie… I just made the Helva with pistachios just now. Oh.My.God!!! It tastes so fabulous and it hasn’t even set. It was easy to do even if the sugar part was a bit worrying. I can’t wait to taste it after it sets. Thanks a million. Cheers
I had halva as a child when my grandparents came home from traveling to Turkey. I'm going to try this! Food and memories go together!! Love you too Rafika!
As a child we lived on a farm in the Canadian prairies and my grandmother, who lived in the city, used to send us halvah a couple of times a year. I loved getting those packages! and halvah is still one of my favourites. I salivated through your entire vlog 😄
As a child who grew up in Brooklyn, we would buy a brand of Halva called Joyva and it was heavenly…they had vanilla, pistachio, chocolate and chocolate coated. The way it melted in my mouth was heavenly. I remember it clear as day. I now live in the suburbs and cannot find my beloved Halva but a family member of mine did one time. When my husband and kids saw the Halva for the first time, they were skeptical but they nearly ate all my Halva had I not stopped them! I haven’t found it since. Thank you for showing me how to make Halva at home. I’m so excited to make my own! Maybe next time I’ll climb a tree and eat it that way so I can have it all for myself.😁
I have tried a decent variety of halves (semolina, carrot, bottle gourd etc) but never tasted tahini halva. I will try it for sure, thanks for bringing in so many new recipes!!
authentically it is made with honey syrup. you can make it with any sweetener that can be turned into syrup. It must dissolve in water and become consistent after boiling it a bit. I think maple syrup can be used.
I've sadly never been to Turkey but I have been to Egypt and my friend introduced me to this gorgeous sweet treat. I love it. I'm lucky as where I live we've a uropian store that sells Halva & baklava. I adore it. I'll definitely try the recipe out. To make it myself would taste amazing and a skill I would share with my friend's
I made this night and ate almost The whole thing. I love your channel so much. You are so pretty. Thank you for your work making these videos. I would know nothing about Turkish food or people. It’s really beautiful❤️
Sounds amazing! In India too you have slightly similar desserts and they are also called 'halwa'. I am always amazed at the similarities in our cultures. 😀😀❤️
Helva recipes go before the Suleiman the Magnificent times... Sugar couldn't be found easily those days. Turkish desserts authentically sweetened with honey syrup or pekmez (kind of molasses made from grapes, carob, melons, beetroot etc... )
Thank you so much for your wonderful channel. Your timing is perfect. I made tahini last night and the scent reminded me of helva. I'll make it tonight!
Wow, Refika! You never disappoint us, this is such an another amazing recipe, not to mention healthy as well! Thank you so much 🙏 Love your team! Bahar and Burak🥰❤️ and all the others who make your show to be so amazing 🤩
I just discovered you and I can't stop watching your videos. Love, love, love you and your crew. Wonderful enthusiasm and such great energy. You make me smile.
we live in the west...once a yr or so my inlaws would travel back to North Dakota....they would bring back huge bricks of Halva......I thought it was a North Dakota thing with the Germans but it turns out that the Halva was actually made in NYC, from a Jewish company....I have a real admiration for Middle Eastern cuisine and I have made halva twice in the past...will make it again this Christmas....thx for the wonderful video......
small I had to write more just the word "small". I discovered Helva a few years ago by pure accident. I was floored by how good it was and wanted more! Now I can! You make it look so easy and simple! Thank you!!!
I notice that the recipes that look the most appetizing to me are always the ones that Bahar seems to love the most as well. It is like we are twins separated at birth or something.
one of my favorite sweets,I cant get enough of it! it is a pitty us Brazilians are not acquainted with this marvelous dessert.Maybe you could come to Brazil to spread your talent here!
Please do the more difficult version. It’s sooooo much better. Love you and your channel. I hope you can show us the halva version that you can find everywhere in Istanbul xoxo.
I am Thai but I am more and more into arabic cuisine. I found this snack on online supermarket but I don't know what it is. Thank you for your video, this looks amazing. I WILL BUY AND TRY IT.
Ingilizce bölüm okumak istiyorum. Hem de mutfağa çok meraklıyım. Kaç yıl oldu saymadım ama kendimi bildim bileli senin tariflerini denerim Refika. İyi ki varsın. İngilizcem de gelişiyor seni izledikçe. Türklerden ilk yapan sensin. Başarıların daim olsun güzel yürekli kadın. ❤😊
I just came across your channel and I absolutely loved your way of talking, your passion and your ethic of inclusiveness. I loved your 3 beautiful recipes and I subscribed to your channel. My lawyer is from Istanbul. 💕
I made it this weekend😍😍😍It was soooo tasty and easy to make. Thank you so much for the great recipe that will be surely repeated many many more times!😊
I tried it too but it didn't come out solid enough to cut it. I wish i knew what i did wrong. :( It tasted great but it was like a thick pudding. Did you follow these directions exactly?
@Choose Freedom Hi :) Yes I followed the recepy step by step... In fact it turned out not as dry as the helva that you buy in the shop, but more like a brownie consistency - to eat with a fork and knife
@@MyForbiddenFragrance I have to try again, did you use a candy thermometer for temp? I used organic sugar I thought maybe that was why. Thanks for your reply!
@Choose Freedom No I didn't use the thermometer, I heated it as in the video (I don't remember how many minutes but she said in video how long it takes, 8 minutes if I am not mistaken). Regarding the sugar, I took white fine suger (the one that is really very fine).
I'm just going to give up on trying to shed these extra covid pounds. This looks absolutely delicious. Superficially, it makes me think of fudge. Perhaps it isn't quite as sweet. Regardless, it's on the must make list.
Thank you, Refika and team, for such easy authentic recipes that will allow me to expand my culinary horizons - and any of my family and friends willing to share in the experience(s)!
I have tried your falafels: great! Your chicken with pasta, nuts,halloumi and dried mint: delicious. So I will now try the halva… thanks Refika . As I live in Melbourne Australia, I do not have problems finding the ingredients.
i love your channel and totally love turkish people :) love your videos..and how you allow people in your home as well into the video as compared to other youtubers.love the small bits hearing burack and your friend/relative ,she also comments..very relaxed friendly easy going recipes..Totally love how you make it soo effortless .Your sweet smiling face and the light commentary, love from an indian :):)
I just discovered your channel and I absolutely love it❤️ I can see myself binge watching for hours. I’m from the US and I’m definitely going to try this. I’m two months now plant based and looking for ideas with tahini. God bless you!!
Yummy, Thanks for sharing the Turkish recipe. I do like Helva, Halva or Halawa "it depends where are you from :)" BTW, you still can use tahini, icing sugar and milk powder without water. Cold mixing to all ingredients.
