Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Pudding)

Gajar Halwa is immensely popular in Pakistan & is most often made in the households during winters.

Ingredients

500 grams carrots (tender, young)
1/2 tin condensed milk (1⁄2 cup + 2 tablespoons)
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder or 1 teaspoon rose water
11⁄2 tablespoon clarified butter  (divided – 1⁄2 tablespoon + 1)
1/4 cup chopped nuts (cashews, pistas, almonds)
2 tablespoons raisins

Directions

Step 1

Wash 500 grams carrots (half kg or 1.1 lbs) thoroughly under running water. A little more or less is fine to use, not a lot. Peel and fine grate them. A food processor quickens the process of grating. So if you own one, you can use it.
Make sure you use a heavy bottom large pot or pan for this recipe as it helps to prevent the halwa from sticking to the bottom and burning. However a pressure cooker too works well.
If you do not have cardamom powder, crush 4 green cardamoms in a mortar pestle or a spice jar.

Step 2

On a low heat, roast 10 pistachios, 5 to 6 almonds and 5 cashew nuts until crunchy. Remove them to a chopping board, cool and chop them. OR Alternately chop the nuts first or carefully pulse them in a grinder (only twice or thrice). Fry them in one tablespoon clarified butter until golden and crunchy. Set aside. If you prefer to use raisins, you may fry about 15 raisins in clarified butter until plump. Set aside.

Step 3

Next to the same pan, pour 2 cups milk and begin to heat it.

Step 4

Add grated carrots.

Step 5

Stir and cook on a medium flame. Keep stirring to prevent burning at the bottom. Since I used a heavy bottom pan, I didn't have to stir very often. But I suggest consistently keep checking otherwise the halwa will stick at the bottom.

Step 6

You will have be cautious always towards the end. Especially when the milk has almost evaporated.

Step 7

Cook until the milk completely evaporates.

Step 8

Next add half cup + 2 tablespoons sugar and stir.

Step 9

Sugar melts and carrot halwa turns gooey once again. Stir and cook. When the moisture is half evaporated, add 1 tablespoon clarified butter and stir well.

Step 10

Stir and cook until the halwa thickens. Just before you finish off, add half teaspoon cardamom powder.

Step 11

Finally garnish carrot halwa with nuts & raisins. Serve chilled or warm.