Beetroot Halwa

(prasaadam recipe)

Beetroot halwa recipe is the easiest sweet dish you can make for Indian festivals .The vibrant and humble beetroot merges well with ghee (clarified butter), milk, sugar and cardamom to transform into an extravagant mithai. It is prepared in the same manner as gajar halwa and tastes good too. People normally avoid beetroot coz of its deep red color,but because of its health benefits this sweet can or should i say should be made for people who avoid eating beetroot but have sweet tooth. Then we can say "health bhi aur taste bhi:-)."If you have difficulty in serving beets to your kids, beetroot halwa is the best way to entice them. :)
This beautiful magenta hued dessert with warm and indulgent flavors makes for a perfecthalwa recipe to offer God as prasad on festival days.

Ingredients :
* Beetroot - 2, medium sized, grate to make 2 cups
* Milk - 1 cup
* Sugar - 1/2 cup
* Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
* Ghee - 2 tbsps
* Cashew nuts - 5/6
* pistachios 5/6 
* Raisins - 9-10 (kishmish)

Method :
* Heat a heavy bottomed vessel and add the ghee. Once the ghee is hot, add the cashew nuts and raisins and saute on low flame till the nuts turn golden brown and raisins are swollen. Remove the nuts and raisins and set aside.
* To the ghee, add the grated beetroots and saute on low to medium flame for 8 to 9 mts or till the rawness reduces. The aroma which comes out will tell you if beets are cooked or not.
* Add the milk and cook the beetroot on low medium flame. Stir once in a while so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Slowly the milk to be absorbed. Wait till the milk is completely absorbed and then..
* Add the sugar and cardamom powder and mix well. The mixture will be become liquid-y again. Continue to cook on low medium flame and keep stirring as the sugar melts and the beetroot mixture begins to thicken and glisten (shine). The mixture will leave the sides of the pan. This could take approx 15-18 mts. Turn off flame.
* Garnish with roasted cashew nuts, raisins,and thinly sliced pistachios and offer as neivedhyam (prasadam).
* For a better presentation cover the garnished Beetroot halwa with a silver foil,the color combination will make it much more mouthwatering.Serve it warm for beast taste. Happy Cooking

--Pushpa