Gajar Ka halwa, a famous Indian dessert

GAJAR KA HALWA

(CARROT HALWA DESSERT)

Cooking time: 35-40 minutes                                                                      Serves: 6-8 

INGREDIENTS:

1. Grated Carrot
2. Milk
3. Condensed Milk
4. Sugar
5. Ghee or Clarified Butter
6. Nuts (Cashews and almonds) 
7. Cardamom (elaichi) powder
8. Salt
9. Bread Slices
10. Refined Oil

METHOD:

1. In a pan add 2 tablespoons of ghee. Let it heat up.
2. To the melted ghee add 4 large finely grated carrots. Cook on medium flame uncovered until the carrot reduces in volume by half and becomes dry i,e. all the released water is evaporated. This will take at least 15-20 minutes.
3. Next add about 2 large cups of milk. Keep cooking on medium flame for another 10-15 minutes until all the milk is absorbed and the carrot is well cooked and mushy in texture.
4. Then add broken cashews, almonds, pistachios and raisins. Mix well. 
5. After this add about 5 tablespoons of condensed milk and mix well. Also add sugar at this stage if required. Keep in mind condensed milk contains a lot of sugar. 
6. Now add half teaspoon of cardamom powder and a pinch of salt. Cook on low flame for another 10 minutes until the texture is a like mashed potato. 
7. Gajar ka halwa is ready.
8. In order to add a twist take bread slices and using a cookie cutter cut the bread into desired shapes. Fry the breads in oil until golden brown and crispy.
9. For assembling, take a fried bread piece. Add a spoonful of cold gajar halwa on it. On top of it garnish with some nuts and serve. Bon Appetite. 

NOTES:

1. Grate the carrots finely. 
2. Ghee is very important for making any kind of halwa. However you can replace it with refined vegetable oil.
3. Don't forget to cook the carrots until all the released water is evaporated and then add milk. Don't add milk before that else the halwa will be quite liquid in texture.
4. Remember that condensed milk contains sugar. So keep in mind while adding any additional sugar. Add as per your taste.
5. You can totally skip the condensed milk. Although it adds a great flavor.
6. Add nuts according to your preference. 
7. Cardamom powder is a must. But don't add a lot. It may give a bitter flavor.
8. Add just a pinch of salt. Addition of salt to any dessert enhances the sweetness and adds a perfect balance to the dish. 
9. Fried breads adds a great crunchy texture to the smooth halwa.