Zhent (Kazakh Dessert)

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recipe by Kenwood https://kenwoodworld.com/

  • Time icon
    Total Time
    1hr 40mins
  • Serves icon
    Serves
    8
  • Calories icon
    Calories
    276

Zhent (jent) is a sweet dish made from roasted ground millet, butter and sugar. This authentic Kazakh halva is usually cooked on holidays and special occasions - traditionally it was a nutritious food that could be stored for a long time by nomadic peoples. This version finishes the Zhent by shaping it in silicone moulds and decorating with melted chocolate and nuts, this is optional, instead you can simply press the mixture into a lined tin, refrigerate until solid, then cut into pieces to serve.

recipe updated Sep 30, 2025

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter icon
    Unsalted butter
    100 g
  • Chocolate icon
    Chocolate
    150 g
  • Walnuts icon
    Walnuts
    as needed
  • Caster sugar icon
    Caster sugar
    100 g
  • Millet icon
    Millet
    300 g

Tools

  • kCook icon Stove
  • kCook icon Cooking Chef XL
  • kCook icon Food processor attachment
  • kCook icon Silicone mold
  • kCook icon Frying pan

Step preview

  1. Add millet into a frying pan
  2. Heat, stirring frequently, until toasted - medium-high heat
  3. Remove from the heat and let cool completely
  4. Fit the Knife blade to the Food Processor attachment
  5. Add the toasted millet and sugar into the attachment
  6. Chop until smooth consistency is achieved - 30-40 seconds, speed Max
  7. Remove the attachment from the machine
  8. Fit the K-Beater
  9. Add butter into the appliance bowl, fit the splashguard
  10. Heat until melted - 3 minutes, 60ºC, speed Stir 1
  11. Then add the toasted millet mixture
  12. Mix until combined - 1 minute, speed 2
  13. Divide the mixture evenly between the silicone moulds and press firmly with the back of a spoon
  14. Chill in the fridge - 1 hour
  15. Clean the appliance bowl and fit the Creaming Beater
  16. Add chocolate into the appliance bowl, fit the splashguard
  17. Heat until melted - 10 minutes, 60ºC, speed Stir 1
  18. Remove the Zhent from the mould
  19. Use a cocktail stick or skewer to dip the pieces of Zhent in the melted chocolate or alternatively, use a spoon to drizzle chocolate over the top
  20. Decorate with walnut halves or chopped nuts and let set
  21. Serve
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