Carrot Halwa

Its winter and as we are vegetarian most of the times, so carrot becomes very integral of our diet. Now the things that you can cook with carrots are limited and can get boring. However I like the taste of raw carrots better than its cooked in anyway. And I just remembered about a sweet with carrots - "Carrot Halwa". My husband just loves sweets and particularly Carrot Halwa. He eats it for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Even if I make a big batch I can be rest assured its finished within 3-4 days. Now! to the recipe.................................

Ingredients:

• Grated Carrots - 3 Cups
• Milk - 1 1/2 Cups
• Sugar - 1 3/4 Cups
• Ghee (Clarified Butter) - 1 Cup
• Condensed Milk - 3/4 Cup
• Cashew Nuts - 15-20 nos
• Cardamom powder - 1 Tsp

Method:

For Carrot Halwa I use the bigger hole grater to maintain the texture. Heat a Pressure cooker or any heavy bottom vessel, pour in the ghee(preserve some for frying the Cashew nuts) and melt, now add the grated carrots and saute until the water is evaporated. Now add the milk and let the ingredients simmer for 30-45 mins, remember to keep the heat on medium all through the cooking. You can also pressure cook but that will not help the milk to reduce.

Once the milk is reduced and you can feel the carrots tender, add the sugar and mix well, watch the heat else the sugar can get caramelised. Mix well and add the condensed milk and mix well, by now the mixture will be in a dropping consistency, hence let it on the heat until all the liquids evaporate. Keep stirring else it might catch the bottom. Now heat the remaining ghee in a small pan, fry the cashew nuts and top it over the halwa and add the cardamom powder and turn off the heat.

You can eat it hot or cold, I prefer it slightly warm with some cream or ice cream. When you make a bigger batch refrigerate it and take required portion and warm it in microwave and enjoy it.