Diwali Treat – Gajar ka Halwa

Happy Diwali!

This year for Diwali I made gajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) {except it isn’t REALLY pudding, it is just the best way to describe it in English}.

It is pretty simple to make, the hard part would be the shredding of the carrots and stirring and stirring and stirring some more!

Preparation:
(serves 4)

• 4-6 medium sized carrots
• 1 1/2 cup of milk
• 2 tbsp of butter (or ghee)
• 1 tbsp of cardamom powder
• handful of cashews 

1. Roast the cashews and set aside.
2. Shred the carrots. {This is where I took the easy way out.. I used my food processor rather than do it by hand. However, in hindsight the texture is better when manually shred.}

   

3. If you don’t have cardamom powder, crush some cardamom seeds in a mortar pestle in to the powder.
    
   

********************************************************************************* 

Cooking:

1. In a large pan, melt the butter and then add the shredded carrots. Cook for about 10 minutes.

    

2. Add the milk and cook until the milk reduces. (About 10 minutes)

   
   This is what it should look like when reduced.

    

3. Add the cardamom powder and stir.
4. Add the sugar and cook until the carrot pieces are soft. (This is a good time to taste the halwa to see if there is enough sugar.)

    

5. Optional (the halwa can also be served hot) spread on a tray to cool and top with the cashews. {I lined my trays with wax paper so it is easy to remove the squares when cooled.}

    

6. Cut in squares and serve.
7. Enjoy yourself and share with family!

I’d like to know: How are you celebrating Diwali? 

- ASH

[Rangoli photos from here]