Carrot Kheer(Grated Carrots simmered in milk to a creamy consistency)

This Kheer is versatile,nutritious and goes very well with kids.Carrot is a unique vegetable – goes very well in salads,appetisers,main courses and desserts.Though its termed as a vegetable,it sometimes takes on properties of a fruit.Its sweet and does not require much sugar.This can be made with any variety of carrots – red,orange or purple.Sugar can be adjusted according to taste or even a sugar substitute can be used.Ensure that the carrots are fresh and crisp.
This Carrot Kheer is one of the easiest and most tempting desserts which can be made when there are no options available.It can also be used as an ideal option on fasts or even given to invalid patients.Today on Shivratri I made a very simplistic version of the Kheer.You can add dry fruits and nuts to taste and serve it both warm or chilled – both ways it tastes delicious!

Preparation Time – 45 minutes
Makes – 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 litre whole milk
250 gms carrots(red/orange/purple) – approx 3-4 small or 2-3 big carrots.
4 cardamom pods/2 tsp cardamom powder
Sugar to taste/sugar substitute

METHOD

Wash,scrape and grate the carrots.
Heat the milk in a heavy bottomed pan till it reduces to around 3/4 of the volume(approx 750ml).Add cardamom powder and sugar/sugar substitute.Stir to dissolve.
Add the grated carrots and simmer on very low heat till the milk thickens a little more and the carrots turn soft and are cooked in the milk.
Turn off heat and leave to cool.
Serve warm or chilled.

P.S.

1.If you want to add nuts then fry 2 tbsp mixed chopped nuts(cashewnuts and almonds) and 1 tbsp raisins in 2 tbsp ghee.It adds flavor to the Kheer.

2.On cold days this is a comfort food as it provides warmth and energy along with the goodness of carrots.

3.For added taste 1/2 cup of condensed milk can be added to make the Kheer creamy.