'Hallo' Halwa

My bro' wanted me to put up some special halloween dish and suggested this "Hallo" Halwa or Carrot Pudding. Back in India, this is called 'gazar ka halwa' which is made on special occasions. Doesn't take much time but has a lot of calorific value. So I wouldn't suggest that you eat it daily but a bite or two would surely quench your sweet tooth cravings. Add a scoop of vanilla icecream and it becomes the king of all desserts.

Ingredients:

2 lbs carrots

1 1/2 litre milk (approx 3 full measure cups)

400-500 gm sugar

Elaichi powder (cardamom) - two pinches

Saffron - few flakes or few drops orange colour (optional)

2 tbsp Ghee/Clarified butter

Almonds, pista, raisins for garnishing

Preparation time : 10 mins Cooking time: 30 mins

Peel and grate carrots. Boil milk in a heavy saucepan and add grated carrots to it. Boil till thick, stirring occassionally. Once the milk starts thickening, stir continuously. Add sugar and cook further till thickens. Add ghee, cardamom, saffron and colour and mix well. Continue to stir on low heat till the mixture collects into a soft ball or the ghee starts seperating out. Serve hot, garnished with a chopped almond or pista and raisins. I think this is the only time during the halloween that you can't say 'boo'.