Aloo Ka Halwa ( Potato Halwa)

This is one of the uncommon desserts normally cooked during festivals like Janamashtami or Shivratri.

You can replace ghee with vegetable oil but then it will not have the same flavor and taste as the original dish.

I prepare halwa in vegetable oil but in the last stages of its cooking I add just 1 tbsp of Desi ghee which gives good aroma and flavor to the halwa.

Ingredients:

• 2 Potatoes medium sized
• ¼ cup desi ghee (clarified butter)
• ½ cup Sugar
• Cashew Nuts chopped
• ¼ tsp Green Cardamom crushed
• ½ tsp Rose water
• Pinch of yellow color

Method:

• Boil the potatoes in a saucepan or Microwave them for 5 minutes.
• Once the potatoes cool down, mash or grate them.
• Heat ghee in a non-stick pan on medium heat and add mashed/grated potatoes gradually.
• Stir and cook this till the ghee starts separating from the potatoes mixture.
• Add sugar and yellow color; continue stirring till sugar is completely incorporated in the potato mix.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Add Rose Water and Green Cardamom Powder, mix well.
• Garnish it with dry fruits and serve warm.

Do You Know?

• Ghee increases the medicinal properties of spices when spices are sautéed in ghee.
• According to Ayurveda, ghee is more alkaline than other oils and this results in a smoother skin tone and makes one look younger.
• Ghee is said to promote all three aspects of mental functioning - learning, memory and recall.
• Ghee balances both Vata (the Ayurvedic mind/body operator that controls movement in mind and body) and Pitta (the operator that controls heat and metabolism).
• Like aloe, ghee is said to prevent blisters and scarring if applied quickly to affected skin.
• Eating ghee is also believed to enhance virility and sexual potency.