Gajar Ka Halwa/Carrot Halwa

Halwa is the south asian version of pudding. It is a dessert, typically made with certain vegetables cooked down in some milk, sugar and cardamom. Gajar ka halwa is fairly common and is available in all pakistani/indian restaurants. Its easy to whip up at home since most of the ingredients are usually staples.

Ingredients:
2 tbsp butter
5 cups grated carrot (I used the food processor)
1.5 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
5 cardamoms, crushed to a powder
1 cup ricotta cheese (optional) - This makes the halwa creamier
1/2 cup raisins

Method:
Melt butter in a pan and stir fry carrot for 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar and cardamom and bring to a boil. We will want to cook the mixture until all the milk has evaporated and the carrots are creamy. Once the liquids are reduced by half, stir in the ricotta and raisins and keep cooking until the mixture is mostly dry.

This can be enjoyed warm or cold (I prefer warm).