Gajar Halva (Carrot Pudding - an Indian Dessert)

- Carla -'s Note:

This is my favorite dessert to make when cooking Indian food. The sweet & creamy taste is a delicious end to a hot & spicy meal. I posted this recipe in 2004 and can't believe that here it is 2007 and no one has yet ventured trying it! Go Ahead, it's really delicious!!! :)

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 6 medium carrots , shredded
• 2 cups half-and-half
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup golden raisin
• ¼ cup butter or ¼ cup margarine
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted pistachios or ¼ cup slivered almond

Directions:

1. Heat carrots and half-and-half to boiling in saucepan; reduce heat.
2. Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until all the half & half is absorbed, about 45 minutes.
3. Stir in the brown sugar, raisins, butter, cardamom and salt.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until all of the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is of your desired consistency, (pudding-like) about 15 minutes.
5. Garnish with pistachios or slivered almonds.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

Reviews

[ohyoucook]

This is almost like the dessert served in my local Indian restaurant. Very easy to make. I substituted evaporated milk for the half-and-half. It took less time for me than the recipe indicates -- only 30 minutes to absorb the evaporated milk, then only another 10 minutes until it was ready to serve. Yum!

[Chef #1085827]

This recipe had such good reviews that I thought to try it since I had loads of carrots in my fridge. So delicious!!! I used less butter than the recipe and added a bit of cinnamon at the end. It has to be the best carrot halwa I have ever had! In fact I am making it right now for a potluck with my friends. Thanks for posting this awesome dessert!!

[SuzTheQ]

Made this with dinner tonight and it was yummy! I didn't realize I didn't have the raisins until I needed them, so I had to leave them out. I will definitely be making this again, and won't forget to get the raisins! Also, I used fat free half and half and it was great. Thanks for a wonderful Indian dessert!