गाजर का हलवा - एक स्वादिष्ट भारतीय मिठाई (Gajar Halwa recipe)

Here's a recipe for Gajar Halwa, a delicious Indian dessert made with carrots:

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (about 5 large) carrots, peeled and grated
• 1 liter whole milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup chopped cashews
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the milk over medium heat.¹ Stir occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
2. Add the carrots: Once the milk starts to simmer, add the grated carrots and stir well.
3. Simmer and reduce: Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until the milk is almost completely absorbed and the carrots are soft and tender. This may take about 30-40 minutes.
4. Add sugar and ghee: Add the sugar and ghee to the carrot mixture. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens.
5. Add nuts and cardamom: Add the chopped cashews, almonds, raisins, and cardamom powder to the halwa.² Mix well and cook for a few more minutes until the halwa reaches your desired consistency.
6. Serve: Serve the Gajar Halwa hot or warm. You can garnish it with additional nuts or a dollop of cream.

Tips:

• For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skim milk.
• You can adjust the amount of sugar to your taste.
• If you want a thicker halwa, cook it for a longer time.
• For a quicker version, you can use condensed milk instead of milk and sugar.³

Enjoy this delicious and festive Indian dessert!