Holi, like most Indian festivals, is one where subtlety simply does not apply. If the colours are loud, the music is louder, and the laughter, of course, is loudest of all. And the best part? The food, of course! From thandaai and pakodas, to ghujiya and kadhi, Holi just feels like a festive excuse to cheat on our diets. This year, swap the predictable sweets for something that feels just as indulgent and fun as the festival itself: Gajar Sevai Kheer.
Think of it as the ultimate festive fusion dessert. On the one hand, you have gajar ka halwa—slow-cooked, ghee-laden, piping hot, and very rich. On the other hand, there’s sevai kheer, often silky, slurpy, and the kind of dessert that quietly refills your bowl before you even realise it. Now, imagine the two coming together in one thick, creamy, rabri-dar dessert (and who doesn’t love the sound of that?). That’s exactly what this recipe delivers.
The grated red carrots melt into full-cream milk, the vermicelli adds texture, and then comes the winner of the recipe: a coarsely ground nut mix of makhana, cashews, and almonds that transforms the kheer into something more crunchy and luxurious. It’s malai-dar, aromatic with cardamom, and finished with ghee-fried dry fruits.
Serve it warm for comfort or chilled for a refreshing contrast after hours in the sun; either way, it tastes like the best kind of Holi celebration in every spoonful!