Wishing all my dear friends a very Happy Tamil New Year .Tamil new year or Tamil puthandu is celebrated on April 14 th by the Tamilians all over the world. Yet another reason for my happiness is its my 100 th post today.More than sharing and learning new recipes I have made lot of good friends here in this blogger community on WordPress.
As a part of my celebration for the 100th post and for the Tamil new year I wanted to post something really sweet.So I have made this bright coloured Carrot halwa today.
Carrot Halwa is a popular sweet dessert made from grated carrots ,milk,sugar and ghee and then garnished with some rich nuts and raisins.The grated carrots are cooked in a heavy bottomed vessel on low flame with milk and sugar until a thick consistency is obtained.It is prepared specially during festive seasons.
I always love trying halwas with fruits and vegetables like beetroot,pumpkin,banana,apples etc more than with flour like maida,wheat,corn flour especially for the nutrition,natural colour,flavour and texture.
This bright ,orange coloured carrot halwa is so easy to prepare at home but the only boring part is grating them.Use a hand held grater or a food processor to grate the carrots.

Do check my Beetroot halwa recipe also.

PREPARATION TIME : 15 MINS

COOKING TIME : 45 -60 MINS

SERVES : 4

INGREDIENTS

3 cups grated carrots

2 cups milk

3/4 – 1 cup sugar

3 cardamoms

8-10 cashews

6-8 raisins

4 tbsp ghee

METHOD

Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a heavy bottomed vessel,add the grated carrots and saute for 5 mins on medium flame.

Add the milk,bring it to boil and pressure cook for 3 whistles.Switch off the flame now.

Open the lid when the pressure is completely released.Now switch on the flame to low and add the sugar.

The sugar will leave some water on heating.Just cook the carrots with sugar on low falme until it reaches a thick consistency stirring continously so that they don’t get burnt.

In another pan heat 2 tbsp of ghee,add the cardamom,raisins,nuts and roast until the nuts turn golden brown.Add it to the thickened carrot halwa and mix them well.

Serve the Carrot halwa warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

TAKE CARE TIPS:

Use sweet,tender and juicy carrots only.

For a richer,creamier version substitute half a cup of milk with half a cup of condensed milk.