Chuqandar, in Urdu, also called as Beetroot in English are one of my favorite veggies. This nitrate rich, gorgeous root vegetable is best eaten as a salad, roasted, boiled or steamed and then seasoned lightly for added flavor. They are high in fibre, calcium, potassium, folate, antioxidants, vitamin A and C, minerals and other micro nutrients and quite low in calories. They are also used to treat hypertension and hence maintain a healthy cardio vascular system.
Beetroot – Chuqandar
Be careful when you are working with these ground vegetables, as its juices tend to stain whatever comes in contact, like your hands, chopping board etc.
Beetroots are also commonly referred to as Sweet Beets, as they are very sweet in taste. They have a unique earthy sweetness in them, and are hence perfect for halwa or a dessert to serve on special occasions.
Serves – 2 to 4
Chuqandar ka Halwa – Beetroot Dessert
Ingredients:
Beetroot – 1, medium sized, washed, peeled and coarsely grated
Fat free Half and Half cream – 1 cup
Sugar – 4 to 5 tbsp or according to taste (the amount of sugar depends on the size and sweetness of the beets)
Ghee – 1 tsp
Finely slivered blanched almonds+pistachios – 1 tsp
Raisins + chopped walnuts – 1 tsp
Beetroot Dessert -Chuqandar Halwa
Method:
-Heat a thick bottomed non-stick saucepan at medium heat and add the grated beetroot.
-Pour in the cream and let simmer uncovered on low until most of the cream has been absorbed by the beetroot. Keep stirring it occasionally.
-During the mean time, heat ghee in a pan at medium heat and throw in the prepared dry fruits and nuts. Roast them until they turn golden brown. Reemove from heat and keep aside.
-Add sugar to the cooking beetroot and let cook for a furthur 5 minutes or until the halwa is thickened.
-Serve warm or cold garnished with the roasted dry fruits and nuts in ghee.
I am sending this royal halwa over to RCI-Lucknow cuisine.
For some more ideas on how to use beets, head over to the healthnut blog.
Luv,
Mona
Tags: Beetroot, Chuqandar, Dessert, Halwa, Red Beets, Sweet Beet
March 11, 2009 at 1:04 am |
Wow…..This is sure a Royal Halwa with much Cream. Thank You Mona for the delicious colourfull entry!
March 11, 2009 at 7:58 am |
lovely color…. 🙂
March 11, 2009 at 8:22 am |
Beets are one of my favorite vegetables and I’ve never seen a dessert made with them. This looks delicious! I am going to have to try it! 🙂
March 12, 2009 at 3:31 am |
Love the color and delicious looking halwa!
March 12, 2009 at 9:10 am |
Wow lovely colour and healthy too
March 12, 2009 at 2:40 pm |
Wah..am loving the color of this Halwa..yummm..!!
First time here Mona..nice space..:)
March 12, 2009 at 5:10 pm |
Totally tempting halwa,nice glossy texture.
Thanks for the nice comments,I’m also thankful to have found you:)
March 13, 2009 at 7:42 am |
OOOOOH! its looks lovely! i’ve never before heard of beetroot ka halwa! will try! 🙂
March 13, 2009 at 11:12 am |
Mona, the halwa looks stunning,n moist… its my hubbys fav 🙂
March 15, 2009 at 8:57 am |
monajee, will u pls take truble to explain me half and half cream? what is that? can we use mava istead of cream ? thanks
Half and Half is half cream and half milk. To prepare 1 cup of half and half, mix half cup cream and half cup milk. Yes, you can definitely use mava or khoa instead~Mona