Gajar ka Halwa/ Carrot Halwa (Low Calorie)

As the winters come, I wait for the bright red carrots to hit the supermarkets, so that I can cook my winter-special dessert i.e. gajar ka halwa.

Besides its awesome taste, it gives us many health benefits. Carrot halwa is a rich source of vitamin A. With healthy eyes, it gives us anti-aging benefits, glowing skin, healthy teeth and gums.

In the recipe mentioned below, I've used toned milk, but for a rich taste and texture you should use full-fat milk and if you want to further enhance the taste of your halwa then you can go on to add a 100gms grated khoya/mawa to it after boiling the milk or you can also add 2 tbsp condensed milk, the same way.

Ingredients : 

Carrots : 1 kg

Milk (toned) : 1 liter

Sugar to taste

Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

Dried Cranberries - 1 tsp

Chopped Cashewnuts - 1 tsp

Chopped Pistachios - 1 tsp

Chopped Almonds - 1 tsp

Raisins - 1 tsp

Ghee - 1 tbsp

Coconut (Shredded) - 2 tbsp for the garnish

Procedure :

1. Wash, peel and grate carrots.
2. Boil milk in a wide bottom pan.
3. Add grated carrots and cardamom powder to the boiling milk, give it a boil again and turn the flame medium.
4. Keep stirring the milk-carrot mixture after regular intervals and make sure it does not stick to the bottom.
5. After 15-20 min, carrots will be cooked and milk evaporated, add sugar. Mix.
6. Cook for 2-3 min more so that all the liquid evaporates.
7. In a seperate pan, heat ghee and saute lightly all the dry fruits except coconut.
8. Add all the dry fruits to the carrot halwa.
9. Mix well.
10. Delicious carrot halwa is ready. Serve warm or cold garnished with shredded coconut.

Tips for the beginners : 

• Use a Non-stick pan to avoid the risk of milk burning at the bottom of pan.
• While stirring the carrot-milk mixture make sure that spoon touches the bottom of the pan.