Guymag | Wheat & Butter Halva

Do you know what one of the best parts about winter is? It’s that special fragrance that comes from generous amounts of ghee or butter. It’s the heady aroma of paratha being roasted in ghee, the sizzle of the spices when they touch the hot makkhan (homemade butter), the hiss as a rainbow of vegetables slide into the butter for a winter-special stir fry.

A mention of halva that has been painstakingly slow cooked for that perfect balance of flavours is a must. After all, winters are synonymous with halva! Gaajar ka halva, moong dal ka halva, badam halva, doodhi halva, matar halva…  (types of Indian puddings made of carrots, green mung beans, almond, bottle gourd, green peas)

Amid this list of lavish desserts is the humble Guymag, a wheat and butter halva (or pudding) that is an essential part of Azerbaijan’s cuisine. Similar to the aate ka halva (whole wheat flour pudding) made in kitchens across India, Guymag is a simple, rich winter breakfast option in Azeri households.

Guymag – nutritious, tasty, easy

High in calories owing to the butter, the use of whole wheat flour rather than all-purpose flour makes Guymag a healthy option for pregnant women, elders and the young ones – especially during the winters when one needs extra strength to battle the cold.

A note for the calorie conscious – a few spoonsful of this whole wheat flour pudding is enough to last you till lunchtime.

The winning part of this Azeri recipe is the four basic ingredients required in this dish are kitchen staples. “Flour, fat, water and jaggery have been part of every kitchen since ages, as was the case with your grandmother’s. Probably why she would whip up a version of this for us when we were kids,” said Maa as she sampled the final product.

To learn more about Azerbaijan’s cuisine, read Chai, Halva & Azeri Hospitality, A Newbie’s Guide to Azeri Cuisine #Chapter1 and A Newbie’s Guide to Azeri Cuisine #Chapter2

There are a few basic things that one needs to remember when cooking the Guymag. Measure out the ingredients before you begin cooking. Be careful when mixing the hot ingredients – there are chances the water may splutter and splash you.

I’ve deliberately chosen not to cook the halva with sugar – different types of sweeteners add different flavours to the halva!

I tried the Guymag in a few different ways

• With a generous dollop of jhola gud (liquid date palm jaggery)
• With a sprinkle of organic brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon powder
• A drizzle of honey and/or maple syrup
• Chopped dates and a pinch of sumac powder

The jhola gud was a clear winner with the brown sugared halva and date topping came in a close second. You could try this halva with other syrups or sweeteners.

Do let me know if you try this recipe. Follow From The Corner Table on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for regular updates. You could also subscribe to be part of the mailing list.