Gajar ka Halwa Recipe | Carrot Halwa
Delicious Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe | Indian Carrot Halwa
A common Indian dessert made of grated carrots, milk, sugar, ghee (clarified butter) and mawa (khoya) is called Gajar ka Halwa, also referred to as Carrot Halwa. It's a delicious and rich dessert, especially during the winter season. Perfect for special occasions and festivals like Diwali. An easy recipe for Gajar ka Halwa is provided below:
Ingredients:
- 1 kg fresh carrots, peeled and grated
- 1 litre (4 cups) full-fat milk
- Mawa (khoya) 200 gm (3/4 cups)
- 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4-5 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- A handful of chopped roasted nuts (almonds, cashews, and pistachios)
- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)
- 1 tablespoon raisins (optional)
Grate the Carrots:
1. Start by peeling and grating the carrots using a fine grater. Make sure to use fresh and tender carrots for the best results.
Cook the Carrots:
2. In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee.
3. Add the grated carrots to the pan and sauté them for about 5-10 minutes on medium heat. Stir occasionally until they become soft and the raw smell disappears.
Add Milk:
4. Pour the milk into the pan with the carrots.
5. Cook the carrots in milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the carrots absorb the milk, continue to add more milk to the mixture.
4. Pour the milk into the pan with the carrots.
5. Cook the carrots in milk over medium heat, stirring occasionally. As the carrots absorb the milk, continue to add more milk to the mixture.
Simmer:
6. Let the mixture simmer until the carrots are fully cooked and the milk has reduced to a thick consistency. This can take 1-1.5 hours. Stir the mixture frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan's bottom.
6. Let the mixture simmer until the carrots are fully cooked and the milk has reduced to a thick consistency. This can take 1-1.5 hours. Stir the mixture frequently to keep it from sticking to the pan's bottom.
Add Sugar:
7. Once the milk has reduced and the carrots are soft, add sugar. Adjust the quantity to your taste. Remember that the halwa will become sweeter as it cooks down further.
7. Once the milk has reduced and the carrots are soft, add sugar. Adjust the quantity to your taste. Remember that the halwa will become sweeter as it cooks down further.
Continue Cooking:
8. Keep stirring and cooking until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. The color of the halwa should turn a deep orange at this stage.
8. Keep stirring and cooking until the mixture thickens and leaves the sides of the pan. The color of the halwa should turn a deep orange at this stage.
Add Mawa (Khoya)
9. Once all the liquid has evaporated, stir in mawa. Mix until well blended. Keep stirring to avoid lump formation.
9. Once all the liquid has evaporated, stir in mawa. Mix until well blended. Keep stirring to avoid lump formation.
Add Flavor:
10. Add cardamom powder and mix well for a few more minutes.
10. Add cardamom powder and mix well for a few more minutes.
Add Nuts and Saffron:
11. In a separate small pan, heat a tablespoon of ghee and roast the chopped nuts until they become slightly golden.
12. Add the roasted nuts and saffron strands (if using) to the halwa. Mix well.
11. In a separate small pan, heat a tablespoon of ghee and roast the chopped nuts until they become slightly golden.
12. Add the roasted nuts and saffron strands (if using) to the halwa. Mix well.
Garnish:
13. Optionally, you can also add raisins for extra flavor and garnish.
13. Optionally, you can also add raisins for extra flavor and garnish.
Serve:
14. Your Gajar ka Halwa is ready to be served hot.
14. Your Gajar ka Halwa is ready to be served hot.
Delicious 🤤
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