Carrot Kheer

Carrot halwa is the more popular recipe no doubt but this is equally nice and far lighter too. Another point in its favour? Takes far less time!

Ingredients: 
1 cup grated carrot
4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp green cardamom powder
1 tbsp ghee
8-10 cashew nuts
Nuts and raisins as desired

Method: Peel and grate the carrots. Powder the cashew nuts.  In a heavy bottom pan put the ghee. Add the grated carrot.  Stir till the carrot is well fried and all the water dries up.  Add warm milk to the pan and let it cook on low flame, stirring occasionally. Once the milk has reduced a little add the cashew powder.  Stir till the mixture thickens and it reaches the  right consistency. Add the sugar and cardamom. Garnish with nuts and raisins.

Instead of  powdered cashew nuts you can add a tbsp of custard powder or cornflour dissolved in cold milk. If you want a more rich taste to the kheer add some tbsps of condensed milk to the mixture towards the end of cooking process.  If using condensed milk, reduce the amount of sugar.

Red carrots are preferable but if not available use the orange ones.