#709 ... Indian Delights

Last night my work team had one of those warming experiences that brings "smiles to the mind" ... and to the heart. Kalpana, a fellow (f) relationship manager invited us all to her home to share an authetic Indian meal ... wow what a feast .. however the coup de grace was "Gajar Halwa" what I would crudely call "cooked grated carrot" .. YEAH RIGHT.

This dish to us Pakehas would appear quite unusual, and maybe off putting ... HOWEVER if you are ever presented with such a dish ... YOU MUST TRY IT ... this is devine. The thought of carrots combined with the heavanly taste may do your head in ... but the dish is worth a second and maybe a third helping.

We had lots of laughs with great company ... a superb delightful interlude amongst the current chaos and drama of the world we live in ... THANK YOU KALPANA

RECIPE Gajar Halwa
carrots 6 (grated finely)
milk 3 cups
sugar 1 cup
mawa 1/2 cup (powdered milk)
khoya 3 tsp (ricotta cheese)
almonds 1/8 cup (chopped)
cardamoms 5 (skinned and crushed fine)
pistachios 2-3 (powdered)
ghee 1/4 cup (clarified butter)
raisins 1 tsp

Cook the carrots in the milk in an open pan on a low flame with constant stirring.
When the carrots are done, take them out and drain any excess milk.
Add the milk powder(mava), the ricotta cheese and the sugar to the carrots.
Heat the ghee in a frying pan, add the carrot mixture and keep on high flame until the carrot paste loses the milky texture and becomes golden brown and the sugar is totally dissolved.
Add the raisins, cardamoms, powdered pistas and the almonds.
Heat through and serve either hot or cold with cream on the side.