Quick Gajar Halwa (Carrot Pudding)

As mentioned in my Fat-free & Sugar-free Gajar Halwa post, I made two batches of gajar halwa to experiment/ compare. Half of the grated carrots were used to make the diet version and the second half to make the rich, creamy gourmet version. This sure is a party winner. Serve this hot halwa with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream or gulab jamun (deep fried dumplings in sugar syrup)!

It's a quick recipe if you have khoya (khoa) or mava ready. See my note below to make quick khoya in microwave.

You need: (serves 2)

Carrots – 7-8 nos. (preferably the red variety, grated - use the thick grater in your food processor or hand grater)

Sugar- 4 Tbsp

Cardamom powder – ¼ tsp

Ghee/ Clarified butter – 3 Tbsp

Khoya/ Mawa – 1 Cup

Dry fruits- ¼ Cup (Almonds, Pistachios, Raisins, Cashew nuts, roasted in a little ghee)

1. In a pressure cooker add the grated carrot, sugar and about 2 tablespoons of water. Give a pressure on high flame. Switch off as soon as the second whistle goes off. Immediately ease off the pressure by either lifting the weight or running under cold water. Be careful if you using a big pressure cooker and the carrots are very few, they may burn by the time the second whistle happens. So depending on the kind of cooker you may have to adjust the timing.The idea is to quickly get the moisture out of the carrots and not cook them too much. That is how you will get a juicy halwa but with a good texture. 
2. Add ghee, khoya and cardamom powder. Mix well.
3. Now cook till you get gajar halwa with consistency of your choice.
4. Add the dry fruits once its ready.
5. Serve hot or chilled.

*Remember the halwa will thicken a little once it cools down. So if you plan to eat chilled then stop cooking a little before the consistency you would like to eat your halwa. But if you plan to eat hot, then dry it till the consistency you would want.

**To make instant khoya take a cup of full cream milk powder and add whipping cream enough to get a thick batter kind of consistency. Heat in microwave oven for approx 3 min. Depending on you microwave oven time may vary. When the mixture becomes a little thick and has khoya consistency, it is ready.

***Another way to make khoya - Take full cream milk in a deep bowl. Cook in a microwave oven for 30 min, giving it a stir every 6-7 min.

****Finally one more option – Reduce whole milk on a low flame, stirring intermittently till it reduces to khoya consistency.