Carrot/Gajar Halwa

Ingredients used by www.facebook.com/kitcheneindia

(1) Carrot : 1/2 kg ( 6-7 medium sized in number)
(2) Ghee : 2 tea spoons
(3) Almonds (chopped) : 1/2 cup
(4) Raisins : 1/2 cup
(5) Cashew (chopped) : 1/2 cup
(6) Milk : 1 liter
(7) Sugar : 1/2 cup
(8) Saffron : 5-6 strands
(9) Green Cardamon powder : 1/2 tea spoon


Kitchenware and cookwares used by www.facebook.com/kitcheneindia

(1) Grater : 1
(2) Pan/Wok/Kadahi with a lid : 1
(3) Spatula : 1
(4) Small Bowl : 1
(5) Large Bowl : 1


Preparation Method used by www.facebook.com/kitcheneindia

(1) Grate all the carrots with the help of grater and keep them in the big bowl.
(2) Heat the pan/wok and add 1 tea spoon of ghee.
(3) when the ghee gets heated then add almonds and cashew and stir for a minute ( or until the cashew and almonds will become light pink) with the help of spatula and then remove the content in the small bowl.
(4) In the same Pan/wok, add another tea spoon of ghee and add the grated carrots and keep stirring for few minutes ( 5-7 mins ) on medium flame until the moisture content of grated carrots becomes somewhat less.
(5) Add sugar and stir for a minute on medium flame and then cover the Pan/Wok with its lid and turn the flame to low.
(6) Leave the wok/Pan covered on low flame for 3-5 minutes and thereafter remove the lid and add milk and keep stirring on medium flame for 30 - 45 minutes ( until the milk solidifies ).
(7) Add almonds and cashews prepared in step (3), raisins, cardamom powder, saffron strands and keep stirring for a minutes pn medium flame and then cover with lid for 2 minutes after turning the flame to low.
(8) When the 2 miutes for which the Pan/wok was covered ( this was done so that carrots absorb the flavor of cardamom and saffron) is over, remove the lid and stir for a minute and turnoff the flame knob.
(9) Carrot/Gajar halwa is ready and you can enjoy eating it hot or chilled as you wish.
If put in refrigerator the carrot halwa will be good for 3-4 days after which the taste may deteriorate.

Tips by www.facebook.com/kitcheneindia

(1) Instead of adding 1 liter of milk and stirring for 30-45 minutes, to save time you can also add 1 cup milk with 1 cup of khoa/mawa or just 1 cup of condensed milk. Please note, the halwa made with khoa/mawa or condensed milk is more fatty ( heavier) compared the one directly made with milk. Also the tastes differ a bit.

(2) To reduce the sugar content, you can add half cup of chopped dates with 1/4 cup( or less) of sugar. This will give halwa slight sweet taste from dates.

Note: Do not just enjoy the Carrot Halwa alone, do share with your friends at www.facebook.com/kitcheneindia and invite them to like the page :)