I am sure many of you know how to make carrot halwa. It is a very popular festival recipe made during Diwali, Holi and family celebrations. Every family has its carrot halwa recipe. Some use condensed milk, others use whole milk. If you have a special recipe, please share in comments. I would love to hear.
I am sure you have noticed by now; I am not a sweet person: wink:. What I mean is I do not like to make sweet dishes very often. But once a month I make a dessert at home. Last month it was my husband’s birthday cake. This month I thought of making some Indian desserts for Passover.
At first I thought about making Bengali Sandesh, but there were two bags of carrots in my freezer staring at me every time I opened the door. So I decided to use them to make halwa and bring it to my in-laws for Passover. If we can make it for Indian festivals why not for Jewish ones. And since passover is a holiday of indulgence I did not skimp on the clarified butter.
If you are not Jewish, you must be wondering what Passover is. To paraphrase wik
“The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in ancient Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. The Passover begins on the 15th day of the month of Nisan, which typically falls in March or April of the Gregorian calendar. Passover is a spring festival, so the 15th day of Nisan begins on the night of a full moon after the northern vernal equinox. It is traditional for Jewish families to gather on the first night of Passover (first two nights in communities outside the land of Israel) for a special dinner called a seder. During this meal, the story of the Exodus from Egypt is retold using a special text called the Haggadah. Four cups of wine are consumed at various stages in the narrative. The Haggadah divides the night’s procedure into 15 parts.”
My mom-in-law throws the seder every year. Previously our Grammy used to host one night in her place in Manhattan and mom used to host the other. When Grammy died, mom hosted both nights until our cousin started hosting. This year, mom is hosting the first night, and cousin J is hosting the second.
First, juicy shredded carrots get slow cooked with clarified butter and then gets simmered with thick milk. We add sugar at the very end like rice pudding. If you are in the mood for Indian dessert and do not have time to go to the store, give it a try. This melts in the mouth. Soft carrot halwa will calm your cravings.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Add milk to a soup pot. Bring to a boil, lower the heat. Over medium heat, boil it for 38 to 40 minutes by stirring continuously, or until it reduces by half.
2. Meanwhile, in a non-stick pan, over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon clarified butter. Add shredded carrots and cook for 10 to 12 minutes stirring often, or until there is a little water left.
3. Add reduced milk and cook over medium heat for 28-30 minutes stirring often, or until it starts to become slightly thick.
4. Add sugar and stir well. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes.
4. In another non-stick pan, over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon clarified butter. Add cashew pieces and fry them for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden brown around the edges.
5. Add fried cashews, raisins, crushed cardamom, 1 tablespoon clarified butter and mix well. Cook over low flame for another 5 to 7 minutes untll the halwa comes together without sticking to the sides. Garnish with slivered almonds and serve.
Wonderful pictures and a great recipe too . Feel like eating it right now . Did you keep the Milk motion blur intentionally ? Great post .
Yes Anindya 🙂 Thank you for liking