Making super delicious 'Gajar ka Halva' [Carrot Pudding]!!

Hello I'blers! 

This is my first Instructable in the food section, and I am happy to begin with 'Gajar ka Halva'. I wouldn't be bragging if I say it is the most favorite dessert in India!!  And as a student living abroad, making home delicacies is a great way to celebrate festivals, cherish home memories and invite friends home for some fun.. 
I just made the halva last week and it turned out to be as good as Mom's recipe! 

Also, for those who would want to try making some Indian dessert, there is nothing more easy and equally delicious than this! So read on and gear up for making some!

Just as we begin, for all those wondering what the name 'Gajar ka Halva' means, Gajar = Carrot (in Hindi) and Halva = common name given to a lotta Asian desserts.  And since there are many many different kinds of them, I may fail to characterize them compared to other desserts, but there's a Wiki Page for all those curious about the  Semantics ! 

Basically, 

• As most Indian desserts are, this one is a pure Vegetarian dessert. 
• It requires super simple and few ingredients [Carrots, Milk, Sugar, Creme, Butter.. yes thats it!]
• Needless to say, it is super delicious!
• All it needs is a lil lil patience.. but believe me, it is all worth the wait!! 

So lets begin. 

Step 1: What you need

As mentioned in the previous step, the ingredients are too few and very common to find at home. 

You need : 
1) Carrots                        [I had 1 kilo, which prepares enough halwa for 6 people]
2) Sugar                           [1 cup : about 250 gms]
3) Milk                               [about 3.5 cups : about 600ml]
4) Creme                         [1 cup ]
5) Butter                           [2 spoons]
6) Dry fruits for garnishing(almonds,Cashew nuts)   [optional]

* Magic Ingredient:     Ghee

The quantities are proportional to each other. [ I am an intuitive cook [haha ;)], I dont measure things in exact proportions. The approximations add the magic to the taste! :D 
But when trying a new recipe, ofcourse it is good to have an idea of the proportions of the items required until you are good at making the dish of your own taste! ]

And now lets talk about The Magic Ingredient Ghee (there are replacements to it, so dont freak! :) )

Ghee is highly reverent ingredient of the Indian household! It is the final product after many proceedings done on Milk! It is made at home and is similar to Butter, but not exactly the same. It is used in many culinary preparations (and has many other uses too). Fore more info, here's the link to a nice article on Wiki. (Someday, I may write an I'ble on preparing Ghee, if it ain't available yet)

If you do not live in India, use Butter  instead. Should work equally well. 

No more stories, lets begin. 

Comments

[shantinath1000]

Just mom used to make- really! One thing you might want to do- what ever nuts you use- toast them in some ghee before adding them to the halva. It will take it up a notch with only a tiny bit more work. Some times a pinch of cardamom is a nice addition too.

[Nirzaree]

Do try making it sometime.. :)

[Penolopy Bulnick]

I've never had anything like carrot pudding! Sounds good :)