How To Make Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
An Introduction To Carrot Halwa Recipe
Carrot Halwa Recipe popularly called as Gajar ka Halwa Recipe is a very royal sweet and an authentic delicacy that originated from the Indian sub continent.
This irresistible dessert of Carrot halwa is very popular in India as it is not only delicious but also has a unique flavor. It is an exclusive sweet dish made by using carrot shreds combined with green cardamom powder, sugar and doused in ghee in a particular proportion. The perfect blend of these items in a specific ratio gives an appealing look and flavour to this indulgent Indian sweet and makes it all the more delectable.
Origin Of Carrot Halwa Recipe
Carrot Halwa (aka) Gajar ka halwa recipe was introduced in North India during the Moghul period and it got its name from the Arabic word ‘halwa’ which means sweet. Therefore it is called as gajar (carrot ) ka halwa. It is very popular in the state of Punjab. From North India, it slowly spread to other parts of the country. It is the traditional recipe made in an authentic way using simple ingredients but with certain culinary nuances, which is always a specialty in the Indian cuisine.
The Speciality Of Carrot Halwa
There are quite a number of ways to make this gajar ka halwa recipe and therefore you can prefer the method that suits you. It can be served both hot and cold and in both the ways it tastes extraordinary, which is a rare phenomena. As it contains a lot of dry fruits and carrots, it claims to have health benefits too. It is the perfect finish for any event anywhere around the country and it has crossed the national borders because of its enchanting deliciousness.
Carrot Halwa Recipe - Its Popularity
In India, it is the conventional dessert in all festivals and functions and it is liked by people of all age groups. Gajar ka halwa and vennila ice cream always go hand in hand and it is just incredible in each and every bite. In festival times, it is a tradition to prepare at homes of India and offered to God as `prasadham` for pujas. It is the much opted delicacy for any kind of parties like birthdays, pot luck and kittys. Winters and gajar ka halwa are inseparable because you get a lot of wild orange carrots during the season and mothers just prepare this instant recipe often during this time.
Varieties Of Carrot Halwa (AKA) Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
Earlier, there was only the traditional Carrot Halwa (aka) Gajar ka Halwa Recipe which was originally prepared with thick full fat milk. Now it is modified a little bit by using one or two new ingredients like khoa, condensed milk, fresh cream, rose water, saffron and papaya extract. These ingredients are added to enhance the flavor and richness of the Halwa. In North India `Delhi Gajar` (red carrot) is used to prepare this Gajar ka Halwa recipe, but in South India fiery orange carrots are widely used to make this exquisite dish of Gajar ka halwa recipe.
Let us see the method of preparing this classic winter delight of gajar ka halwa recipe at home in a simple way.
Selection of carrots for Carrot Halwa (aka) Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
- Choose fresh and tender carrots to make this Gajar ka Halwa as they have more juice and they are less fibrous. It is also easy to grate if you choose fresh carrots. As much as possible avoid using mature and frozen ones as it will spoil the taste of Gajar Ka Halwa.
Tips to grate the carrots for Carrot Halwa (aka) Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe
- Grate the carrots to thin shreds as it will give a smooth and even texture to the Gajar ka Halwa. Select the shredder which has tiny pores in it.
- Always use a hand grater instead of a blender or a food processor in order to get a good shape while grating.
Choice of the vessel :
- It is advisable to use a thick bottomed `kadai` made of iron or copper to make these types of halwas. Because it will retain more heat to favor the cooking and it will not be sticky at the bottom. Moreover, it is the traditional way of making it.
Usage of ghee :
- Regarding the preparation of the Gajar ka Halwa, cow`s ghee is preferred to other readymade ghee available in many varieties in the market.
- It has a good taste and a rich flavor and it is also good for health.
- Avoid using `vanaspathi` or cooking oils as they will not give the desired taste.
- Excessive use of cow’s ghee is not needed as it will dominate the entire flavor.
Preference of milk:
- Normal cow’s milk will give the desired taste of original Gajar ka Halwa.
- But nowadays people prefer condensed millk, khoa and fresh cream for variety. Each gives a different tinge of taste, but if you desire to get an authentic Gajar ka Halwa, ordinary milk is the best choice.
Ingredients Required To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe
Carrot Halwa Recipe - How To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe
To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe, Take a small cup and add two tablespoons of boiled milk to it.
Add one or two pinches of saffron strains to the milk and stir well with a spoon, Just keep it aside
Then you wash and peel off the carrots and wipe them with a clean cloth.
Grate them using a hand grater and keep it.
Pour the measured quantity of milk in a milk cooker and boil well.
Heat a small pan and pour a spoon of ghee and keep it in medium flame.
Once it is heated roast the dry fruits and nuts till golden brown and keep it aside and switch off the stove.
Transfer the roasted dry fruits to a plate.
In the same pan, just saute the grated carrots for a minute or two to avoid the raw smell of the carrots.
After a while, just switch off the stove and let the carrot remain in the pan, lets now see the remaining part of preparing carrot halwa recipe
To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe, Place a thick bottomed `kadai` in the stove and keep the flame in high mode.
Once the kadai is heated, pour the boiled milk in it and simmer the flame. Let it remain boiling for some time.
After ten minutes, add the partially cooked carrots slowly and stir continuously.
Now change the flame from sim to medium mode.
Use a thick ladle to stir the milk and carrots as you will get a scorched smell if it is not stirred properly.
When the milk is fully absorbed by the carrot, simmer the flame and add the required sugar and mix well.
The sugar will start melting and it will blend the ingredients together.
Let it cook for one or two minutes and when the moisture gets absorbed, pour the measured quantity of ghee in a circular motion.
Let the flame remain in sim mode throughout the process to ensure perfect cooking.
And keep stirring thorough out the whole process to avoid the scorching smell.
Keep stirring and let the gajar ka halwa get cooked for 5 to 10 minutes.
When it is completely cooked, it will become a whole mass and will roll out smoothly in the kadai without any stickiness.
You will notice the ghee oozing out from the sides.
At this stage, add a spoon of rose water and the soaked saffron milk and give a slight mix.
Consequently, you will get a nice aroma coming out of it and it will thicken up.
Sprinkle the cardamom powder and the roasted dry fruits and stir well.
Now the `warm winter treat` Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa is ready to eat. Serve it either hot with the aroma of ghee or refrigerate it and serve chill with vanilla ice cream.
Tips To Follow For Carrot Halwa
• You can store the gajar ka halwa in refrigerator for two to three days approximately and if you store it in the freezer, you can store for more than 10 days approximately.
• You can even reduce the amount of the sugar and ghee from the above mentioned quantity in case if you are calorie conscious or you prepare it for elderly people and the most interesting fact is that it would not affect the overall taste of the halwa at all.
• If you want to powder green cardamom into a fine powder, just add two or three teaspoons of sugar with the cardamom and blend it and sieve it finally to remove the dry skin of cardamom.
• When you store it in the freezer, just thaw the gajar ka halwa in a microwave for a minute or two before serving.
Ingredients
Directions
To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe, Take a small cup and add two tablespoons of boiled milk to it.
Add one or two pinches of saffron strains to the milk and stir well with a spoon, Just keep it aside
Then you wash and peel off the carrots and wipe them with a clean cloth.
Grate them using a hand grater and keep it.
Pour the measured quantity of milk in a milk cooker and boil well.
Heat a small pan and pour a spoon of ghee and keep it in medium flame.
Once it is heated roast the dry fruits and nuts till golden brown and keep it aside and switch off the stove.
Transfer the roasted dry fruits to a plate.
In the same pan, just saute the grated carrots for a minute or two to avoid the raw smell of the carrots.
After a while, just switch off the stove and let the carrot remain in the pan, lets now see the remaining part of preparing carrot halwa recipe
To Make Carrot Halwa Recipe, Place a thick bottomed `kadai` in the stove and keep the flame in high mode.
Once the kadai is heated, pour the boiled milk in it and simmer the flame. Let it remain boiling for some time.
After ten minutes, add the partially cooked carrots slowly and stir continuously.
Now change the flame from sim to medium mode.
Use a thick ladle to stir the milk and carrots as you will get a scorched smell if it is not stirred properly.
When the milk is fully absorbed by the carrot, simmer the flame and add the required sugar and mix well.
The sugar will start melting and it will blend the ingredients together.
Let it cook for one or two minutes and when the moisture gets absorbed, pour the measured quantity of ghee in a circular motion.
Let the flame remain in sim mode throughout the process to ensure perfect cooking.
And keep stirring thorough out the whole process to avoid the scorching smell.
Keep stirring and let the gajar ka halwa get cooked for 5 to 10 minutes.
When it is completely cooked, it will become a whole mass and will roll out smoothly in the kadai without any stickiness.
You will notice the ghee oozing out from the sides.
At this stage, add a spoon of rose water and the soaked saffron milk and give a slight mix.
Consequently, you will get a nice aroma coming out of it and it will thicken up.
Sprinkle the cardamom powder and the roasted dry fruits and stir well.
Now the `warm winter treat` Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa is ready to eat. Serve it either hot with the aroma of ghee or refrigerate it and serve chill with vanilla ice cream.
Hello Ankita,
I remember I tried to make a Carrot Halwa a long time ago. I was a bit disappointed because it was not yummy like sweets I enjoy in indian restaurants. Your recipe and advices page is very interesting. I found many many recipes on the Internet and I have a question. What is the difference(s) between carrot halwa and carrot burfi ? Your asnwer could help me to know what to try. Thank you very much !