Gajar Ka Halwa |The Luscious Dessert of India
Gajar ka Halwa, also known as Carrot Halwa or Gajrela, is a popular Indian dessert. It's made by cooking grated carrots with ghee (clarified butter), milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom. The carrots are slow-cooked until they become tender and absorb the flavors of the other ingredients, resulting in a rich and sweet dessert. Garnished with chopped nuts like almonds and pistachios, Gajar ka Halwa is enjoyed both warm and cold. It's a beloved treat, especially during the winter months in India, and it's often made for festivals and special occasions.
Kitchen Setup: You'll need basic kitchen equipment like a heavy-bottomed pan, a grater for carrots, and utensils for stirring. A food processor can make grating easier.
Gajar ka Halwa is like the superhero of Indian sweets. Imagine carrots turning into a dessert! So, first, you grate a bunch of carrots, making them all tiny and ready for action. Then, these little orange soldiers dive into a hot tub of ghee (clarified butter), getting all soft and yummy.
Next comes the milk party. Pour it in, and let the carrots soak it up, becoming even more flavorful. Sugar joins the fun, but not too much – we want it just right. It's like creating a sweet potion.
Now, the kitchen starts smelling like a cozy hug. Sprinkle in some cardamom for that extra magic touch. And oh, don't forget the nuts! They're like the surprise guests, adding a crunch to every bite.
Whether it's a chilly night or a sunny day, Gajar ka Halwa is always ready to make your taste buds dance. It's a dessert that proves carrots aren't just for salads – they're dessert heroes too! Enjoy every spoonful of this sweet adventure.
- 1 kg Carrot
- 1/2 kg Milk
- 200 kg khoa(khoya) (Condensed Milk)
- 1 cup sugar
- chopped nut(almond,cashew)
- Prepare the Carrots
Wash and peel the carrot. The sweetness of the dessert depends on the quality of the carrots, so choose sweet ones.
- Grate Carrot
Grate the fresh carrots
- Boil Milk
heat the milk until it get boiled
- Add Carrot
After boiling for a few minutes, Add Carrot into milk.
- Mix With Carrot
- Mix carrot and Milk
- Cook this mixture on a low-medium heat. After a few minutes, the milk will begin reducing.
- Soft Texture
Continue to cook the carrots in the milk. Stir occasionally, and let the carrots absorb the milk. This will take some time and patience. The carrots will become soft and creamy as they cook.
- Add Sugar
Once the carrots have absorbed most of the milk and become soft, add the sugar.
- Simmer
Stir well and continue cooking. The sugar will melt and mix with the carrots, creating a sweet syrup.
- Add Khoya
when carrot get thicked and absorb sugar syrup.then, we add crumbled khoya in carrot.
- Blend Khoya
Mix well khoya and remembered that no lumbs leftover of khoya.
- Thicken of Halwa
Continue cooking the halwa, stirring frequently, until it thickens and comes together. It should no longer be runny.
- Garnish
Garnish the Gajar ka Halwa with chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, and pistachios). You can also add a few strands of saffron for extra flavor and a beautiful color.
- Serve Warm or Chilled
You can serve Gajar ka Halwa warm or chilled, depending on your preference. It’s delicious either way!
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 350kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 20g31%
- Saturated Fat 10g50%
- Cholesterol 30mg10%
- Sodium 100mg5%
- Total Carbohydrate 40g14%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 20g
- Protein 7g15%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Low-Calorie Variation:
Now, for our friends counting calories or managing diabetes, you can cut down on the sugar and switch to a sugar substitute. Use skimmed milk or almond milk instead of full-fat milk. It's the carrot diet version – just as delicious, with fewer guilt pangs.
When to Indulge:
Gajar ka Halwa is a celebration dish, so bring it out when you want to treat yourself or impress the in-laws. It's a dessert fit for any occasion, or, you know, just because it's Tuesday.
Season of Sweetness:
Winter is the golden time for Gajar ka Halwa. That's when you get those fresh, sweet, juicy carrots that make the dessert pop. But hey, if you're craving it in summer, who am I to stop you? Dessert cravings are like rebel forces; they follow their own rules.
Native Region:
Gajar ka Halwa is like the sweet ambassador of North India, especially during chilly winters. From Punjab to Uttar Pradesh, this dessert has its roots firmly planted in the heart of the North.
Precautions while Preparing:
Grate those carrots with caution. We want carrot shreds, not your fingerprints. Also, watch out for sugar – it can go from sweet paradise to toothache central real quick.
Hey there, I'm Akshi, your go-to vegetarian food explorer from India! As a full-time food blogger, my kitchen is a canvas where I blend vibrant Indian traditions with global inspirations. Join me on this meatless journey filled with flavorful vegetarian recipes. Let's embark on this delicious adventure together, one delightful dish at a time!"