Carrot Halwa

Gajar Ka Halwa

---

Carrot Halwa is a simple and easy to cook dish. The basic dish can be done with just four major ingredients. You can add the spices and garnishing to enhance taste and look.

Ingredients:	Quantity
Carrot Grated	1 cup
Sugar	1 cup*
Milk	1 cup
Ghee	1-2 tbsp
Cardamom Powder	1/4 tsp
Saffron (Optional)	2-4 strands
Nutmeg (Optional)	a pinch
Raisins roasted	5-6 nos
Cashews roasted	5-6 nos
Almonds/Pista Silvered (Optional)	2-3 nos

Preparation:
1) Heat the ghee in a pan and add the grated carrot and sauté for few(10-12) min's until the raw smell disappears.
2) Add the sugar and sauté for another 1-2 min's and add the milk into it and let it cook until the carrots are cooked and tender.
3) Meanwhile soak the saffron in 2-3 tbsp of warm water or milk.
4) Mix the soaked saffron, cardamom powder and nutmeg into the Halwa.
5) Garnish with the raisins, cashews and other nuts if using them.
6) It can be served hot and tastes yummy when served with cold vanilla ice cream.

Carrot Halwa with Condensed Milk

Note:* You can adjust sugar according to your taste. You can also substitute or add half quantity of condensed milk to make it more rich. Khoya is mostly used in this dish. I do not prefer to use it.

Pumpkin Halwa

Pumpkin Halwa

---

Ingredients:	Quantity
Yellow/Orange sweet Pumpkin Grated	1 LB
Sugar	3/4 cup*
Ghee	1/4 cup
Milk	1/2 cup
Saffron	2-3 strands
Cardamom Powder	1/4 tsp
Nutmeg Powder	A Pinch
Cashews Roasted	8-10 pieces
Raisins Roasted	1-2 tsp
Rose Water (optional)	2-3 drops
Chopped Nuts (Almond, Pista...)	1-2 tsp To Garnish

Preparation:
1) Heat half the ghee in a pan and add the grated pumpkin and sauté for couple of min's (for about 5-6 min's) or until the raw smell disappears.
2) Once the raw smell disappears add the milk and let it cook until the liquid evaporates. Stir often.
3) Soak the saffron in 1 tbsp warm water/milk and add it to the Halwa. Stir in the remaining ghee, cardamom powder, nutmeg, roasted raisins & cashews and rose water. Let the flavors blend for 1-2 min's.
4) Garnish with the chopped nuts and serve.**

Note:* Adjust sugar according to your taste.
** You can pour the Halwa into a sheet and let it cool and cut into cubes and serve.

Ricotta Cheesecake

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake

---

Baked Ricotta Cheesecake with a almond meal base. I have substituted the usual biscuit/cracker base with almond meal.

Ingredients:	Quantity
For Base*:
Almond Meal**	1/2 cup***
All purpose Flour	1/2 cup***
Sugar	4 tbsp
Unsalted Butter	6 tbsp
Salt	1/4 tsp
For Filling:
Ricotta Cheese	15 oz
Cream Cheese	4 oz
Sour Cream	1/2 cup
Caster Sugar	3/4 cup
Eggs	3 nos
All purpose Flour	4 tbsp
Vanilla Extract	1 tsp
Orange/Lemon Juice	2 tbsp
Orange/Lemon Zest	1/2 tsp
Berries (optional)	To Garnish

Preparation:
1) Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease a 8" round baking tin with butter.
2) Mix all the ingredients for the base and fill it in the baking tin and press it evenly. Bake it for 12-15 Min's in the preheated oven.
3) Beat the eggs and sugar and vanilla extract. Then add the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, flour, orange juice and orange zest and blend them with an electric blender. Pour it into the cake tin over the base. Tap lightly to remove any trapped air to avoid air bubbles.
4) Bake it in the preheated oven for 50-60 Min's. Let it cool and then refrigerate it until it is cold and sets well.
5) Serve slices topped with berries.

Note: *You get a nice thin base with the recipe above. If you prefer a thicker base, then you can add a little more of the ingredients in the same proportion. ** You can use store bought almond meal or just make a fine powder of unblanched almonds. *** You can crumble digestive biscuits or plain biscuits substituting the almond meal and all purpose flour.

Mango Milkshake

Mango Milkshake

---

Ingredients:	Quantity
Medium sized Mangoes	4 nos
Milk	2 cups
Sugar	1-2 tbsp
Rose Water Essence	1 tsp
Saffron soaked in warm water	2-3 strands
Cardamom Powder	A Pinch
Crushed Ice (Optional)	1/2 cup

Preparation:
1) Peel and cut the mangoes. Reserve a few tiny pieces for garnishing.
2) Puree the mangoes in a blender/juicer and then add the milk, crushed ice (if using) and rest of the ingredients and pulse it for few seconds.
3) Garnish with the reserved mango pieces and serve chilled.

Note: Do not add crushed ice and mango pieces if it is for little ones. You can use berries, banana or any other fruit of your choice or a combination.