on Jan 10, 2024, Updated Oct 08, 2024 I make a variety of kheer for festivals and special occasions. Here are some of my favorites – Makhana Kheer, Seviyan Kheer, Sabudana Kheer, Rice Kheer, and Lauki Ki Kheer. Winters in North India is a vibe. The vegetable markets are at their best, loaded with fresh winter produce. The entire population makes it their life purpose to enjoy the bounty while it lasts. Red carrot is one of the vegetables available only during the winter months. They are much sweeter and juicier than the orange variety and I make some recipes only using this red variety. So when I see them in the market, I make sure to buy a few kilos and use them to make my favorite winter desserts like Gajar ka Halwa, Carrot Milk, or this delicious Carrot Kheer.
About Carrot Kheer
Carrot Kheer (Gajar Ki Kheer, Indian Carrot Pudding) is a North Indian dessert which is popularly made in winter when red carrots are in season. It is made by cooking grated carrots with milk until the two combine to make a delightful sweet. Most people just cook the carrot and milk together, then add sugar and some flavoring. But my recipe to make gajar kheer is slightly different and if I can say so myself, it is much more delicious than most people’s version. I cook carrots with ghee and some sugar. This step caramelizes the carrot, giving the kheer a delicious taste. I like to serve it chilled, but you can also serve it piping hot. Garnish the kheer with slivered almonds and pistachios before serving. You can also use dried rose petals or edible silver or gold leaf to make it look extra special. This kheer can be served on Vrat days (Hindu fasting) as well. Ghee is used to cook the carrots. Carrot – Try using Indian red carrots to make carrot kheer. They are available only during the winter months. Check out any Indian grocery store; they will have them stocked from Dec until Feb. Although this dessert tastes the best when made using red carrots, you can still make it using regular orange carrots. The taste will be slightly different, but it will still be good. Sugar – I like my kheer mildly sweet and the quantity of sugar mentioned in the recipe is according to my taste. You can adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste. You can also replace sugar with powdered jaggery or date puree. Cardamom Powder and Saffron (Kesar) are used to flavor the kheer. Dried Nuts and Fruits give a nice crunch to the kheer. I have used cashews, almonds, and raisins, but you can also use pistachios. Note – You can also puree them for a smooth texture in the Kheer. Chop the nuts using a knife or roughly crush them using a mortar and pestle. Then gather the remaining ingredients.
10-12 cashew nuts, chopped 10-12 almonds, chopped 10-12 raisins
Add carrot mixture to the milk and cook for 10-12 minutes.
Gulgule (Pue)
Sweet Lassi (Indian Yogurt Drink)
Besan Halwa
Rice Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
