Carrot Halwa - Gajar Ka Halwa

Ingredients:

• Peeled and grated carrots - 2.5 cups
• Milk - 6 cups
• Sugar - 1 cup
• Ghee - 3 tbsp
• Cardamom powder - 1 tsp
• Cashew and nuts - to garnish

Method:

• Bring the milk to boil in heavy bottomed pan and continue to simmer till it reduces to half the quantity. Make sure you keep stirring once in a while, so it doesn't stick to the bottom.
• Meanwhile, in another pan, heat the ghee and add the grated carrots.
• Saute for about 5-8 minutes on a low flame till it loses its raw smell and softens.
• Add the carrot to the reduced milk and continue cooking till the milk is completely absorbed and the carrot is just moist.
• Once the carrot is cooked, add sugar and cook for 5 minutes, till the sugar dissolves.
• Add the cardamom powder and remove from flame.

Important! Serve warm.

Vegetable Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Basmati rice (cooked)
• ½ cup shredded cabbage
• 1 carrot (peeled & diced)
• 1/4th cup frozen peas
• 1/2-1 tsp white pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp ajinomoto (optional)
• 3 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• 3-4 spring onions (finely chopped)

Method:

• Spread the cooked rice on a wide plate. Add a teaspoon of cooking oil, sprinkle couple of pinches of white pepper and salt, mix lightly and let cool completely.
• Heat oil in a thick bottomed pan/ wok, once the oil is smoky hot, add carrots, peas, spring onions and stir fry for 2-3minutes on high heat.
• Add shredded cabbage, ajinomoto and remaining white pepper. Stir fry for 2 more minutes on high heat.
• Add a little of salt to taste. Then add the rice, and mix lightly taking care not to break or crush the rice. Add the spring onion
• leaves and let it cook for 5 more minutes.
• Serve hot with any wet Manchurian.

Notes: Leftover rice works well for this dish. You can add soy sauce for extra flavor. Quick and easy way to get cold rice is, cool down the fresh cooked rice to room temperature and spread it on a plate and keep in fridge for ½ hr (or until done with ur preparation and stir fry).