Happy Ugadi & Microwave Beetroot - Dates Halwa

Before proceeding to recipe, I would like to wish my friends & readers a happy Ugadi.

ఉగాది శుభాకాంక్షలు.

ಯುಗಾದಿ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು.



I go on stuffing my favorites folder with recipes I find online or keep jotting down in my journal whenever something catches my attention. There are only a few occasions when I again look back  and really use those recipes.
Last week there was such an occasion. I saw Mahima's sugarless beetroot halwa and wanted to give it a try immediately. I didn't have to note down the recipe this time since it appeared familiar. However, it was a sugarless version and natural sweetener, dates played the sweetener part.
I did try and fell in love with it. I prefer microwave to prepare halwas thses days since it can be done in a jiffy, there is less stirring and after clean up is simple as nothing sticks to the cooking bowl.
It was a simple, yummy dessert, which could be prepared under 20 minutes in a MW.

To make about 2 cups halwa, you need:
2 cups - peeled and grated beetroot
1 cup - chopped seedless dates (This quantity gives moderate sweetness which I prefer. If a sweeter version is preferred, use 1/2 cup more.)
1 cup milk (I used whole milk. Half & half, cream, evaporated milk or less fat milk can be substituted)
1/8 tsp cardamom powder
2 Tbsp melted ghee
2 Tbsp cashews (optional)

Method:
Add the ghee and cashews to a microwave safe bowl and put it in the microwave. Toast the cashews till they turn golden brown. Remove the cashews with a slotted spoon and keep aside.
Then fry the beet and dates in the same ghee for about three minutes stirring once in between.
Remove the bowl from MW, add milk and mix well. Again put back the bowl in MW and cook till done. Remember to stir 2 or 3 times in between to avoid burning. At the final stages add cardamom powder and mix well. Add toasted cashews after the cooking part is done.
Serve warm or cold. Leftovers ( :) if any) can be refrigerated.

It took about 10 minutes in my MW to cook the beets after adding milk. I would like to mention to novice cooks that the cooking time might vary depending upon the strength of your MW and keep an eye while using the MW.

This healthy dessert is going to be a part of
1. Kid's Delight - Snacks hosted by Srivalli.
2. MEC - Celebrating bloggers guest hosted by Jayashree and the event creator being Srivalli.

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