Gajar Halwa (Pink Carrot Halwa)

Ingredients:

• Gajar- 1/2 kg
• Sugar- 1 cup
• Milk- 1/4 cup
• Water- 1/4 cup
• Ghee- 3 tbsp (clarified butter)
• Chopped nuts- Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios, Melon seeds, Chironji (the bigger ones roughly chopped)
• Cardamom powder- 3/4 tsp

Method:

1. Wash, peel and finely grate the gajar. 
2. Add 1 1/2 tbsp ghee to a thick bottom pan and add the grated gajar. 
3. Cover with lid and cook for 5-8 minutes in simmer. 
4. Mix regularly to avoid burning. 
5. Add milk first and cook for 3 minutes. 
6. Then add water (or double the quantity of milk). 
7. Increase the heat to medium. 
8. Keep the lid on and cook until the gajar is tender. It will take about 10-12 minutes. 
9. Add cardamom powder and mix well. Keep stirring to prevent the mixture from sticking to the pan. 
10. Once the gajar gets tender, add sugar and mix well. 
11. Remove the lid and let it cook until the sugar dissolves. 
12. Add the chopped nuts (or fry them in ghee and add) to the cooking halwa. Keep some aside for garnish.
13. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tbsp of ghee and mix well. 
14. The halwa will become thicker and comes together. 
15. It will take about 10-12 minutes. 
16. Take into a serving bowl and top with more nuts. 
17. Serve hot or cold. 
18. The halwa stays good for 3 days in the refrigerator.