Gajar Ka Halwa [Carrot Dessert]

My fondest memories of winters from past is of "gajar ka halwa". Winter would bring those juicy carrots in the market and at home, it would be a perfect division of labor. My dad usually bought the finest of carrots, never less than 2 kilos and of course, a good bargain. My job was to grate the carrots (whenever, I wanted to give up, I faked bruising my hands with the grating board and my Dad usually took over). And my Mom used to stand for 30 minutes or so next to the wok, stirring the milk and the carrots to make the delicious "Gajar ka Halwa".

This is also one of those dishes that Mom used to make "just to bring that sparkle in my eyes". And that makes it so special ...

Today, when carrots are available all through the year, the "all so special" feel about it is kinda gone - but, it still remains my favorite sweet dish. Let us start cooking now ... or what?
Ingredients
1. Carrots [1 lb]
2. Ghee [1/4 cup]
3. Milk [2 cups]
4. Sugar [1 cup]
5. Blanched cashews, raisins, almonds [1/4 cup] - optional

Preparation
1. Wash and peel the outer skin of the carrots
2. Grate the Carrots. [I use food processor these days]
3. In a bottomed saucepan, heat the ghee and fold in the grated carrots
4. Stir the carrots for about 3-4 minutes or until the ghee and carrots have nicely mixed
5. Pour the milk and stir occasionally till the milk starts thickening (on a medium heat)
6. Keep an eye because as the milk starts thickening, you will need to stir continuously
7. Add the sugar and stir some more
8. You may want to add some more ghee at this point of time depending on your appetite for ghee.
9. Once all the milk is condensed and the ghee starts oozing out, the halwa is complete. It will be of thick consistency
Serve hot, garnished with dry-fruits. You may preserve the halwa in refrigerator until consumed in a day or two. But serve hot each time - it tastes best when hot.
Additional tips
1. The more the ghee, the tastier is your halwa - but remember the fat quotient!
2. You may add some Khoya to add to the richer taste. If you have some sweets in your refrigerator like Kaju Katli, Milk Barfee - add 2-3 pieces of the same to the halwa - This will add to the thickening of the milk and replace the khoya.

Enjoy the delicious treat !