GAJAR HALWA /CARROT PUDDING

Gajar halwa, gajrela or carrot pudding is a carrot based sweet from the Indian sub continent. Gajar halwa is popular winter sweet. In Punjabi ,it is known as Gajrela.
Traditionally carrot halwa is prepared with carrot,milk, sugar and ghee by slow cooking. But for quick and creamier texture, it is also prepared using khoya, condensed milk etc. But I always make it in traditional way. Now a days, people also make Gajar Halwa in pressure cooker, without grating.
Gajar halwa can be served warm or cold. It tastes good with scoop of vanilla ice cream too.

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cook time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4 persons

Ingredients:

750 grams carrots
500 ml full cream milk
1/2 cup sugar
4 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cardamom powder
2 tbsp almond flakes
2 tbsp chopped cashew nuts

Method:

1. Wash, peel and grate carrots.
2. Heat ghee in a thick bottom pan and add grated carrots and saute for a while.
3. Then add milk, mix and let it cook on medium to high flame. Stir occasionally.
4. After few minutes,carrot is cooked properly and milk is also reduced. Add sugar.
5. Cook until sugar dissolves and halwa thickens and leaves sides of the pan.
6. Add cardamom powder, cashew and almonds, mix well and turn off the heat.
7. Serve hot.

Note:
1. Can increase or drcrease quantity of sugar as per taste.
2. Before turning off the heat,can add more ghee.