Carrots are a particularly good source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants and offer several health benefits. Carrots are best known for their ability to improve and protect eyesight. I first tasted this yummy carrot badam kheer at my husband’s colleague’s home during the Navaratri (Golu) festival. She served it hot as a welcome drink, and we all loved it. Then, my friend Swetha made it for a potluck. Since then, I have been considering adding it to my blog. Today, I am sharing how to prepare refined sugar-free and dairy-free carrot almond kheer/payasam recipe, but you can use any milk and sweetener. Also, you can replace almonds with cashews in this recipe or use both. My Daughter loves this kheer very much, and I usually give it as an evening snack. She likes to drink cold or lukewarm. Today I boiled potatoes in my electric pressure cooker, Instant Pot DUO60 6 QT.
Carrot Payasam Recipe Ingredients
Carrots: Use fresh, tender orange carrots to make this recipe. You can also use red carrots, also known as desi gajar, in India. Milk: I have used unsweetened almond milk to make this recipe. You can also use full-fat dairy whole milk. Another alternative is coconut milk. Sweetener: Depending on the sweetness of the carrots, sugar can be altered. I have made a refined sugar-free version by using pitted dates for this recipe. You can also make this recipe with refined sugar or jaggery. You can also use condensed milk. Dry fruits: Dry fruits like almonds or cashews, or both can be used for this recipe. For garnishing, you may also use raisins, cashew nuts, and pistachios. Saffron strands: A few saffron strands are soaked in warm milk and added to the kheer to add flavor and color. But it’s optional.
How to Make Carrot Kheer/Payasam
Firstly, soak the almonds in hot water for 15 minutes or boiling water for 5 minutes. Then, peel the skin of the almonds. Keep aside. Peel and chop the carrots roughly into small circles or cubes.
Instant Pot Instructions:
Firstly, add 1 cup of water into the instant pot insert. Next, place the trivet and the bowl with carrots, almonds, dates, and ½ cup of water. Note: You can also cook carrots directly in the Instant Pot insert. Close the lid securely, and turn the vent to “SEALING”. Select the PRESSURE COOK/MANUAL (High Pressure) setting and set the cooking time to 4 minutes. When the instant pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then release any remaining pressure before removing the lid. Blend the cooked carrots and almond dates mixture with little water or milk until completely smooth. Press SAUTE button. Add ghee to the pot. Once hot, add the carrot almond paste and cook for 1-2 minutes or till the raw smell of the carrots is gone. Next, add the milk to the pot, mix well, and let the milk come to a boil. Stir frequently. Once the kheer just starts to boil, add the cardamom powder, saffron milk, mix well, and Press Cancel. The kheer will thicken as it cools. Garnish with pistachios. Serve carrot almond payasam warm or cold.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker Instructions
Follow the process mentioned above for the stovetop pressure cooker. Give 2-3 whistles and let the pressure release naturally. All the other steps remain the same.
Stovetop Pot Instructions
Follow the process mentioned above. Cover the pot with a lid and cook till carrots are tender. Takes about 10-15 minutes. Do stir once or twice in between. All the other steps remain the same.
Tips & Variations for Carrot Kheer
Clean the instant pot thoroughly – the steel pot, lid, and sealing ring. If you have an extra sealing ring for sweet foods, use it else, milk may curdle. You can also pressure cook the almonds with peels to retain their nutritional value. You can roast some other dry fruits like raisins, and cashew nuts in ghee and add them to the kheer. Condensed milk can be used for additional rich flavor. Add jaggery or palm sugar instead of dates. You may serve it warm or chilled.
More Carrots Recipes
Carrot Rice Carrot Beans Stir fry Carrot Zucchini Paratha Carrot Halwa Carrot Ginger Soup Beetroot Carrot Sandwich
More Instant Pot Kheer/Payasam Recipes
Rice Kheer Vermicelli (Semiya) Kheer Bottle Gourd (Lauki) Kheer Makhana Kheer Carrot Kheer Moong Dal Payasam
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