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Carrot Halwa Oatmeal

This carrot halwa oatmeal is a healthy BUT delicious spin on the classic Indian dessert Gajar(Carrot) Halwa made with juicy red carrots.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American, Indian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 352 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 medium dutch oven or a similar sized pan

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups Steel Cut Oats
  • 1 - 1.5 cups Red Carrots grated and peeled, sub with regular orange carrots
  • 5 cup Plant Based Milk preferably oat milk, you can also do ½ milk + ½ water
  • 2-3 tablespoon Raisins
  • 2-3 tablespoon Cashews or Pecans halved or chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon Powdered Cardamom
  • Additional chopped nuts for topping
  • 1 + 1 tablespoon Vegan Butter or Ghee optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat a deep pan and add a tablespoon of vegan butter. Once melted, add the raisins and cashews. Gently roast it in the butter until golden brown. Remove from the pan and keep aside.
  • Add the remaining butter and once melted, add the oats. Gently toast the oats for a couple of minutes. Add 2-3 cups of milk and mix well. Increase the heat to medium low and let this mixture cook for 5 minutes.
  • Mix in the grated carrots and let the mixture cook for 5 more minutes. Check and stir regularly to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the remaining milk, mix and keep the pot covered. Cook for another 15 -20 minutes or until the oats are fully cooked. Add the cardamom powder and mix well. Then mix in the previously roasted raisins and cashews.
  • Remove the cooked oatmeal from heat and let it cool for 10 minutes before serving hot, topped with chopped nuts, toasted coconut flakes etc.

Notes

  1. Red carrots are typically available in the fall through winter season some speciality grocers and Indian stores. You can just use the orange colored carrots. If you find the carrots are not sweet, then mix in some sugar while cooking for added sweetness.
  2. Carrot Halwa typically has cashews and raisins. However feel free to use any other nuts like pecans, almond slivers or walnuts. 
  3. I have specified oat milk since oats naturally have a sweetness about them which helps add sweetness to the overall dish. It also adds extra creaminess to the dish. You can use any plant based milk of your choice or also substitute half the milk with water. 
  4. Alternate options for cooking
Stove Top: After the first step, add the remaining vegan butter/ghee to the pan. Add the grated carrots and gently roast it for 7-8  minutes. Now add the oats and gently toast in the pan for a couple of minutes. Add 3 cups of milk before proceeding with the remaining steps(minus the adding in of the carrots)
Instant Pot: Follow the steps listed in the recipe card or the alternative steps provided above by using the "Saute" function at 'low' in the Instant pot.
You can also follow the steps until all the ingredients are mixed in and then hit cancel the "saute" function. Close the instant pot and select the "Porridge" option. Select the time as 15 minutes and let the steam naturally release or force release once the oatmeal is done cooking. 
Oil free option: Just omit the vegan butter or ghee to make this completely oil free. Ensure the plant milk you are using does not contain any added oils. 
 
Keyword carrot halwa, carrot oatmeal, carrots, gajar halwa, hot oatmeal, oatmeal