Potato Halwa

The past week had been one crazy ride as well as woeful ! Crazy because a four-legged beauty whom I christened as Spunky entered our lives and turned it topsy-turvy. Woeful because due to various reasons, we had to let him go :(  I have never been a dog-lover but tried to bring a happy atmosphere for the canine. However, things did not work out between me and the pup and the pup had to find a new home. It's funny how an invisible bond is surged and a week of togetherness can invoke feelings of pangs & angst. Hopefully he is having a whale of a time with his new family. As for us, we are re-living the moments of sunshine the animal brought and hope to enjoy the joys of a pet in the future !!!


On a sweeter note, look which vegetable had a glossy makeover in my hearth ???? Yup, the humble potato goes all hip n hop n sweet. Never thought of it as a candidate for halwa; of-course it's in great company :P 

Sugar + Khoya (Milk Solids) + Condensed milk does wonders when they meet the starchy tuber. 

Do you know the first vegetable that was grown on space was potatoes ?

The recipe is based on a similar dish created  by the chef of SRM Hotel, Trichy and the honours of bringing it to my kitchen by giving his very own twist goes to hubby dearest.

Potato is 80 % water and is packed with nutrients ; of-course it is not healthy when all you love is the fried version of this versatile tuber.  Go for baked or boiled potato and enjoy the health benefits. 

Also that they are one of the easiest crops to grow and does not bite in to your time and  water

Samyu n  me shared some quality time bonding over the sweet & the book!

What's in it :-(Serves : 8 ; Preparation Time : 20 min, Cooking Time : 20-25 min)

• Potato - 3 - large (app 400 gms) - scrubbed, peeled and grated
• Milk - 300 ml
• Water - as required for blanching and a little to add to the milk initially
• Khoya (Milk Solids) - 200 gram (approximate)
• Sugar - 250 to 300 grams - to taste
• Condensed Milk - 200 grams - approx
• Ghee (Clarified Butter) - 15 to 20 ml.
• Cardamom Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon Powder - 1/4 tsp

For Garnish :-

• Ghee - 1 tbsp
• Nuts - Cashews, Pistachios, raisins - as required

How :-

Wash the grated potatoes a few times and keep them immersed in water to avoid discoloration till cooking. In a vessel, bring adequate water to a simmering boil and drop the grated potatoes. Let it cook for a good 3 to 4 minutes before you drain it off and keep it aside. This not only helps in avoiding a raw taste of the potatoes but removes any chance of the milk curdling while making the sweet.

In a heavy-bottomed pan add a little water and then the milk and bring it to a boil. Pep it up with cinnamon & cardamom and tip in the khoya. Let it mix well and then add the sugar.Let the sugar dissolve and thicken for a few minutes before tipping in the blanched potatoes.Let the mix simmer for 5-10 minutes on a low-medium flame till it thickens considerably. Keep stirring it regularly so that the contents don't stick to the bottom and start to blacken. Add the condensed milk and let it cook further for a few minutes till it  gets the required thick consistecy of a Halwa.


In a separate skillet, warm the ghee and roast the nuts till the cashews sizzle and gets browned in a rich hue while the raisins plump up. Dunk the nut mix in to the halwa and serve hot or cold.

It can stay fresh refrigerated for a week. 

Verdict :-  Delightfully sweet and rich; a sure party- rocker ! Tasted divine after refrigeration!