Halwa In A Hurry

You've planned this lavish dinner for your guests and every thing's ready and then it hits you. You totally forgot about dessert. Instead of rushing to the super market for a cake or pie, try something new. I know what you're thinking. I can read minds, you know! How will you manage to make something in such a short time. Well, don't you fret...we have the perfect dessert for you.

Mouth-watering Carrot Halwa

I know you're dying to learn how to make it. It's so easy and I bet, you already have the ingredients at home:

1 lb Grated Carrots
½ cup of Condensed Milk
5-6 Sliced Cashews or Almonds
5-6 Raisins
1-2 Cardamom/Elaichi seeds (powdered)
3 tbsp Butter

The best part about making this dessert is that it can be done all in the MICROWAVE. How awesome is that? Now that we have your attention, here are the directions:
1) Melt butter in a large microwaveable container/bowl (for 30-40 seconds).
2) Add grated carrots, mix well and microwave for 8-10 minutes mixing after 5 minutes of cooking. (Hint: Use a lid to cover the container.)
3) Add condensed milk and cook for another 5-8 minutes until the mixture is cooked well and it all comes together. Add the powdered cardamom and mix well. Then transfer into a serving dish.
4) In a small pan, heat ½ tsp of butter and toast the nuts. Then add the raisins and remove from stove. Garnish the halwa with the toasted nuts and raisins.


***Quick Tip: Our procedure was done with an 1100 watt powered microwave. (Please adjust the timing per your microwave wattage)

Yumm Aam Rasmalai!

I have this friend who is crazy about Indian sweets. Ever since that day, we were inseparable. For her last birthday, I was pondering about the idea of buying her a box of assorted sweets, but her sister beat me to it. During one of our many conversations, she told me that her favorite sweet was Rasmalai. She told me how she used to buy the frozen trays at the Indian stores and take it home for herself.  When she didn't feel like buying the sweets, she attempted to make them at home. After several unsuccessful efforts, she gave up. 

Now my friend can try her luck again at making her favorite sweet with this recipe submitted by one of our Bengali friends.

Ingredients (8 servings - 2 per person):

Illustration includes finished recipe with ingredients

- 2 cans of Rasmalai patties (we used Ghasitrams brand)
- 1 quart carton Half & Half
- 4 tbsp of Mango pulp
- 5-6 pods of Cardamom, seeded and powdered
- 2-3 leaves of Bay leaves
- 1 tbsp of Rose water
- 5-6 Pistachios (unsalted), chopped finely

So let's start assembling this scrumptious dessert:
1) Open the Rasmalai cans and drain all the sugar syrup by transferring the contents into a fine

mesh colander and discard the sugar syrup.

2) Transfer the half & half into a container and place it on the stove with low to medium heat. Add

bay leaves and cardamom powder. Next, heat until the milk ‘ras’(liquid) is somewhat thick.

3) Now add the mango pulp, 1 tbsp at a time and mix well between each spoon addition. Remove

from stove and slowly add the drained patties. Allow the rasmalai to cool down, add rose water and

chill before serving.

4) Garnish the rasmalai with chopped pista before serving and indulge the divinity!!!!!!