Halua is one of Indonesia's traditional snacks made from natural ingredients, such as fruit, nuts, or flour, which are cooked with sugar until they become chewy or sticky. Halua is often found in various events, such as holiday celebrations or traditional events, and usually has a distinctive sweet taste. One of the popular halua variations is Halua Pisang and Halua Kacang. Here's how to make Halua, either from bananas or nuts, that you can try at home.
1. Halua Pisang (Halua Pisang Caramel)
Ingredients:
4 pieces of king bananas (or ripe kepok bananas)
150 grams of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Steps to Make: Slot Raffi Ahmad
Prepare the Bananas:
Peel the bananas and cut them into small slices or you can also cut them lengthwise according to taste. Make sure the bananas used are perfectly ripe so that the sweetness is maximized.
Grilled Banana:
Heat butter in a pan over medium heat. Add the banana slices and saute slowly until the bananas are slightly browned and soft. The goal is to make the bananas more aromatic.
Making Caramel:
Once the bananas start to cook, add granulated sugar to the pan. Stir well until the sugar melts and turns into a golden caramel. Make sure you stir it carefully so that the sugar does not burn.
Adding Flavor:
Once the sugar has caramelized, add lime juice and salt to provide a balance of sweet and sour flavors. Stir well until all ingredients are perfectly mixed.
Finishing:
Once all ingredients are mixed and the bananas look coated in caramel, remove from the pan. Serve the banana halua while warm, or you can also chill it so that the texture becomes chewier.
2. Halua Kacang (Peanut Halua)
Halua kacang is a type of halua that uses peanuts as the main ingredient. It tastes savory and sweet, with a chewy texture. This peanut halua is perfect as a snack on various occasions.
Ingredients:
200 grams of peeled peanuts
100 grams of granulated sugar
1 tablespoon of pandan leaf water (optional, for aroma)
1/4 teaspoon of salt
100 ml of boiled water
Steps to Make:
Preparing Peanuts:
Roast the peanuts in a non-stick pan over low heat until the peanuts are cooked and fragrant. After that, mash or grind the peanuts until smooth but still a little rough. You can use a blender or pestle for this process.
Making Sugar Syrup:
In a pan, combine the granulated sugar and water. Cook over low heat until the sugar dissolves and turns into a thick sugar syrup. If using pandan leaves, add them as well to add a fragrant aroma to the syrup.
Mixing Peanuts and Syrup:
Once the sugar syrup is ready, add the coarsely ground peanuts to the pan containing the sugar syrup. Stir well until the peanuts are evenly coated in syrup. Add a little salt to give the halua a savory taste.
Cooking Until Thick:
Continue to cook the peanut and sugar syrup mixture over low heat while stirring continuously. This process will make the mixture thicker and chewier. Don't forget to stir it so it doesn't burn.
Finishing:
Once the mixture thickens and begins to harden, remove from the pan and pour into a baking pan that has been lined with plastic or baking paper. Let it cool and harden. Once cool, cut the peanut halua into pieces according to taste and serve.
3. Tips for Making Successful Halua:
Choose Quality Ingredients:
To get delicious halua, choose quality ingredients such as sweet ripe bananas, fresh peanuts, and clean granulated sugar.
Patience in Cooking:
Cooking halua requires patience, especially when making caramel or sugar syrup. Make sure you stir it slowly so it doesn't burn and still gets the perfect texture.
Ingredient Variations:
You can experiment with various other types of ingredients such as grated coconut, jackfruit, or even sesame seeds to give different flavors and textures to the halua.
Storage:
The finished halua can be stored in an airtight container to maintain its moisture. If you want chewier halua, store it at room temperature.
4. Conclusion
Halua is a snack that is not only delicious but also easy to make with simple ingredients. Both sweet and soft banana halua, or savory and chewy peanut halua, both offer a unique and appetizing taste. You can try making it at home to enjoy with your family or as a dish at various events. Good luck!