Carrot and Dates Halwa

Ingredients:



8-10 medium sized Carrots (grated)

¾ cup Dates (khajur, seeded and chopped)

½ cup Sugar

2 cups Skimmed milk

8-10 Cashewnuts (roughly chopped)

1/2 tsp Green Cardamom Powder

2 tbsps Desi ghee



Method



Heat a kadai. Add grated carrots and sugar and cook for about five minutes.Add milk and continue to cook.Add dates, cashewnuts, green cardamom powder and mix. Cook for ten to fifteen minutes. When dry and cooked add ghee. Mix well.Serve hot.



Serves 4

Ragda Patties

For Ragda:



1 1/2 cup dehydrated white peas, soaked overnight

3 cup water (saved from the boiled peas)

1 tbsp. oil

3 green chillies

1 tbsp. chopped coriander

1 tbsp. chopped mint

1/4 tsp. blacksalt

1/2 tsp. each pepper powder, turmeric, cumin powder and garam masala.



For Patties:



4 potatoes boiled, peeled, mashed

1/4 cup semolina (rawa)

1/2 cup bread crumbs

8-10 green chillies crushed fine

1 tsp. ginger grated

1 tbsp. oil

1/4 tsp. turmeric powder.

Salt to taste

Oil to shallow fry patties.



METHOD:



Method for Ragda:

1-Wash and pressure cook peas in water till well done.

2-Cool 3 tbsp. peas for blend.

3-Blend together cooled peas, green chillies, mint, coriander

4-Heat oil, add paste. Fry for a minute.

5-Add dry masalas, fry further 2-3 minutes.

6-Add peas, water and bring to boil.

7-Simmer for 7-8 minutes till gravy thickens.



Method for Patties:

1-Mix all ingredients well with hand.

2-Knead lightly.

3-With the help of greased hands form 12-14 round flat 1/2"thick 2" patties, (use mould if you want any other shapes, eg. hearts, diamonds, etc.)

4-Roast few at a time on a greased hot griddle.

5-Turn once to roast other side, making them crisp and golden brown. Keep aside.



To Serve:



1-Green chutney, Tamarind chutney, chopped onions and coriander, beat curd, crushed fresh cumin, salt.

2-Place 2 warmed patties in individual bowl, pour a tbsp. or so of hot ragda over it.



2-Sprinkle 1 tsp. tamarind chutney, 1/2 tsp green chutney, 1 tsp. curd. 3-Sprinkle cumin, salt to taste. 4-Garnish with coriander and chopped onion. Serve hot.

BESAN LADOO

Ingredients of besan laddoo :

2 cups gram flour (besan)
1 1/2 cup sugar (grinded)
1 cup ghee
1 tsp each almonds, pistachios, cashew nuts (chopped)

Preparation of besan ke ladoo:

1-In a kadhai mix gram flour and ghee over a low heat.
2-Keep constantly stirring to avoid lumps.
3-When it releases an appetizing smell, it is ready.
4-Remove from the heat and allow it to cool.
5-Add sugar and nuts to the gram flour and mix thoroughly.
6-Now form ping-pong size bals of the mixture.
7-Besan Laddoo are ready to be served.