Gajar ka Halwa / Carrot Halwa

Ghee - 2 tbsp. + 3 tbsp.

Cashew - 1 tbsp.

Raisin - 1 tbsp.

Carrot - 6, grated

Milk - 2 cups

Sugar - 1 cup

Khoya - 1/2 cup or Condensed Milk

Cardamom powder - 1 tsp

Roast Cashews and Raisins in 2 tbsp. of Ghee and set aside.

In a pressure cooker, add the grated Carrots and Milk, then pressure cook for 2 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally before opening the lid.

Set the heat to medium and cook the Carrot mixture.

Add Sugar and Khoya, and mix thoroughly. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens.

Next, add the remaining Ghee and mix well.

Once the Halwa starts to pull away from the sides of the vessel, turn off the heat and stir in the Cardamom powder.

Transfer the Carrot Halwa to a serving dish and garnish with the roasted Cashews and Raisins.

Tomato Soup

Olive Oil - 1 tablespoon

Butter - 1 tablespoon

Cumin Seeds - 1 teaspoon

Onion - 1, sliced

Carrot - 2, diced

Bell Pepper - 1/2, sliced (optional)

Garlic - 2 cloves, minced

Tomato - 4, diced

Ginger - a small piece, grated

Mint - 5 leaves (optional)

Cayenne Powder / Red Pepper Flakes - 1 teaspoon

Salt & Pepper

Chicken Stock - 1 cup

Heavy Cream

In a stockpot, heat the Olive Oil and Butter over medium heat.

Add the Cumin Seeds to temper.

Mix in the Onion, Carrot, Bell Pepper, Garlic, Tomato, Ginger, Mint, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, and Pepper. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.

Pour in the Chicken Stock and continue cooking, covered, for another 10 minutes. Blend until smooth using a hand blender, then strain through a sieve.

Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with Heavy Cream.

Enjoy warm with grilled Cheese Panini.

Cardamom Lemonade

Cardamom - 5 pods, crushed with a pestle

Lemon - 4, squeezed for juice

Sugar - 1/2 cup

Salt

Combine the crushed cardamom, lemon juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a container. Mix thoroughly and leave at room temperature, stirring often, until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Add 2 cups of cold water and stir well. To serve, pour the prepared lemonade over ice cubes and adjust with more water to suit your taste.