Starting this new year on a sweet
note , Season’s special Carrot/Gajar ka Halwa sounded like a perfect idea! Carrot
halwa is a delicious dessert prepared from carrot , milk, dry fruits and nuts. .
The ghee and cardamom powder gives it an unparalleled aroma and rich texture. Traditionally,
carrots are slowly cooked in lots of milk and sugar. Milk has to reduce about
one-third of it's original quantity. This gives a delicious light fudgey texture.Every
bite just melts in mouth.It is a versatile recipe that can be prepared in a
number of ways. Season’s special Gajar Halwa is loved by my family!
Ingredients:
Carrots – 1/2 kg
Sugar – 1 cup ( as
per sweetness can less or add)
Milk –2 cups
Ghee - 2tbsp
Cardamom powder -
1/4 tsp
Condensed milk -
3/4 cup
Almonds/ pistachio
to garnish
Method:
1.Wash the carrots and trim their edges. Scrape the skin
lightly and grate all the carrots using a grater and keep aside. I used my food
chopper.
2.Soak the almonds in some warm water for 15 – 20 mins. Peel
the skin off and chop them into slivers and keep aside.
3.Heat ghee in non-stick pan or heavy based pan over medium
flame. Add grated carrots and roast them for 3-4 minutes while mixing
continuously till the raw smell must not be there at all
4.Pour milk over ghee roasted carrots and stir to mix well.
Bring it to boil over medium flame.
5.When it starts to boil, reduce flame to low and cook until
almost milk is absorbed and mixture
6.The color of the carrots would have completely changed and
it would have gotten cooked completely.
7. After 15-20 minutes, when all the milk is evaporated, add
condensed milk and Stir it well and add very less sugar as condensed milk is
very sweet in itself. . Stir occasionally in between to prevent sticking.
8. Stir and cook
until sugar is dissolved and condensed milk also is absorbed and mixture thick.
9.Then Add cardamom powder, garnish with almonds and
pistachio mix properly and turn off the flame.
7. Transfer it to a serving bowl and either serve it hot or
cold
