Badam halwa / Almond pudding

Ingredients:

Almonds (badam) - 1 cup 
Ghee (clarified butter) - 3/4 cup 
Milk - 1 cup 
Saffron threads - 7-8 
Granulated sugar - 3/4 cup
Water - 3/4 cup 

Method:

1) Soak almonds overnight or for at least 6 hrs till the skin pops out of the almonds when you squeeze the almond with your fingers.
2) Remove the skin of almonds and grind in mixer/blender to make a thick paste with milk (adding little by little at a time).
3) Heat sugar and water till it starts boiling. Add saffron threads mixed with one tsp of warm milk to the water and sugar syrup and boil for about 1-2 mins. 
4) Add the badam and milk paste to it.
5) Now add ghee little by little mixing well. Keep mixing till the mixture thickens little and there are wrinkle formations when you move your spatula in the mixture. This will take about 10-12 minutes.
6) Remove from heat and cool. The halwa will thicken more as it cools.  

Note:

1) You can also soak the almonds in hot water for just 30mins and you are ready to peel off the skin.
2) Boil for some more time to  make pieces. that is Almond burfi.
3) Adding a lot of saffron will not only add a rich natural colour but a lovely aroma to the dessert. Use atleast 7-8 threads.
4) Using a non-stick utensil can help to make the process of mixing easy.