Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa) – Instant Pot

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons ghee
• 5 cups carrot (fresh & tender), shredded (about 8 large carrots)
• 1 cup full-fat whole milk (or almond milk)
• ½ cup sugar (adjust as per your taste)
• ½ cup almond flour (or ¼ cup of mawa/khova), optional but recommended
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
• 2-3 tablespoons sliced almonds (or pistachios)

Steps

1. Peel eight large carrots and grate with a grater or food processor. The source used a thick shredder/grater attachment.

Instant Pot Method:

1. Thoroughly sanitize the Instant Pot parts before making the sweet.
2. Press SAUTE on the Instant Pot and put one tablespoon ghee into the pot. Sauté the shredded carrots for 2-3 minutes, until their raw smell is gone.
3. Mix in the milk thoroughly.
4. Close the Instant Pot with its pressure valve at Sealing and cook on High Pressure for 5 minutes.
5. When it beeps, do a QUICK RELEASE. Open the lid and switch back to SAUTE (HIGH).
6. Put in the sugar, almond flour, cardamom powder and remaining ghee. Cook until all the milk has evaporated, approximately another 5-6 minutes.
7. Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios. Offer the gajar ka halwa hot, warm or cold.

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Method:

1. In a stovetop pressure cooker, heat 1 tablespoon ghee. Once hot, sauté the shredded carrots for 2-3 minutes, until their raw smell is gone.
2. Mix in the milk thoroughly, close the lid and place the whistle. Cook for 1 whistle over medium heat.
3. After pressure releases naturally, open and put in the sugar, almond flour, cardamom powder and remaining ghee. Cook until all the milk evaporates, approximately another 5-6 minutes.
4. Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios and serve the carrot halwa hot, warm or cold.