Gaajar (Carrot) Halwa

Ingredients:
1 kg carrots, grated
1 kg milk, preferably whole milk
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 cup sugar

Optional Ingredients:
1 tsp powdered cardamom
1 cup cashews, raisins and chopped almonds fried in ghee (Clarified
butter)
A few flakes of saffron (Available a lot cheaper than you think, at ethnic
grocery stores)
Silver foil

Method:

1) Place the carrots in a pan or vessel with the milk on HIGH HEAT for
about 25 minutes or until carrots are soft.
2) Add condensed milk, sugar and cardamom powder, simmer for about an hour
- until almost all the milk evaporates and the halwa achieves an almost
solid consistency.
3) Turn off the stove, add the cashews, raisins and chopped almonds.
4) Decorate with silver foil and saffron.
5) Serve hot with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Author: Sundar
Author's comments:
Mom's recipe, she suggests using a pressure cooker if possible for the first step, which will reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.