Gajar Ka Halwa, Chicken Vegetable Pulao, Desi Salad And Raita by Zarnak Sidhwa

Ingredients for Gajar Ka Halwa:

• Carrots  1 kg
• Milk  1 liter
• Cardamom seeds  1 tsp
• Water  3/4 cup
• Ghee 3 tbsp
• Raisins  2 tbsp
• Almonds  2 tbsp
• Pistachio  2 tbsp
• Sugar  450 grams

Method:

1. Wash and grate the carrots.
2. Soak the raisins in water for 30 minutes.
3. Blanch and shred the nuts.
4. Put the water to boil, when it starts boiling add the grated carrots.
5. Cook for 5-7 minutes. Add the milk.
6. Cook on a low flame for 1 hour stirring occasionally.
7. Add sugar, mix well and cook till the sugar has dissolved and all the milk has been absorbed.
8. Add ghee and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
9. Add the slightly crushed cardamoms and the raisins. Mix well.
10. Remove the gajar halwa from heat and arrange in a serving dish.
11. Garnish with almonds and pistachios.
12. Serve cold, hot or at room temperature.

Ingredients for Chicken Vegetable Pulao:

• Rice 2 cups
• Onions sliced 2
• Yogurt 1 cup
• Chicken boneless 2 cup
• Mixed Vegetables  2 cups
• Bay leaves  2
• Cumin seeds  1/2 tsp
• Green chilies  4
• Black pepper 1 tsp
• Red chili powder  1/2 tsp
• Cardamom  2
• Clove 4
• Cinnamon 1 inch piece
• All spice powder 1 tsp
• Ginger paste  1/2 tsp
• Garlic paste  1/2 tsp
• Mint leaves  1 tsp
• Coriander leaves  1 tsp
• Salt  to taste
• Oil  2 tbsp

Method:

1. Fry the vegetables in oil and keep aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan, add onions, yogurt, chicken boneless, red chili powder, cumin seeds, bay leaves, turmeric powder, all spice powder, cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, chopped green chilies.
3. Cook till tender and add vegetables and cook for few minutes.
4. Add salt in water and boil. Add the rice to this hot water.
5. Strain with 3/4 th done.
6. Arrange rice and vegetable and chicken mixture layers.
7. Sprinkle mint leaves and chopped coriander leaves.

Ingredients for Desi Salad:

• Onion  1
• Tomato  1
• Green chili  1
• Lemons 2
• Salt  1/2 tsp
• Black pepper 1/2 tsp
• Vinegar  1 tbsp
• Coriander 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Mix the onions, tomatoes, green chili, coriander and add the salt, pepper, vinegar, chili and serve with lemon wedges.

Ingredients for Raita:

• Yogurt  1 cup
• Cucumber  1 small
• Onion, chopped  1 small
• Salt  a pinch
• Sugar  a pinch
• Cumin powder  a pinch
• Coriander leaves  2 tbsp

Method:

1. Mix curd with cucumber, onion, salt, sugar, cumin powder and coriander leaves and chill and serve.