Gajar Ka Halwa | Carrot Halwa (4 Ways) » Dassana’s Veg Recipes

Making the favored Indian dessert generally known as Carrot Halwa (a.okay.a. Gajar Ka Halwa in Hindi or Gajrela in Punjabi) is so easy once you use my detailed step-by-step information and video! Whether or not you make it utilizing the standard stovetop technique, or take some shortcuts through the use of milkmaid, khoya or the Immediate Pot, I’ve you coated all with detailed step-by-step photographs on this useful publish.

What Is Halwa?

The phrase halwa comes from the Arabic phrase for “candy,” and refers to desserts which can be cooked down with ghee and sugar. Whether or not made with noodles (vermicelli), lentils (moong dal), grains (like semolina), or greens (like carrots or beets), Indian halwa is a pudding that’s completely delectable.

Opposite to well-liked perception, Indian halwa is completely different from Center Jap halva, which is a sweet made primarily from sesame seeds.

Halwa is a yummy dessert that’s reserved for celebratory events. It isn’t tough to make, however it does are likely to take a little bit of time. If you happen to’d wish to make gajar ka halwa extra of a daily prevalence, think about using one among my genius shortcuts listed under!

About Carrot Halwa

Carrot halwa is a well-liked candy made in North India, and it’s particularly well-liked throughout winters. The normal gajar ka halwa recipe is made with solely carrots, complete (full-fat) milk, ghee and sugar; there’s no want for khoya (evaporated milk solids) or condensed milk.

If you happen to want utilizing both khoya or milkmaid (sweetened condensed milk), skip to the suitable part under to find out how!

I want to make use of crimson Delhi carrots to make the halwa, as they’re tender and juicy. That mentioned, you need to use any carrots – crimson, orange, and even black – as long as they don’t seem to be fibrous, stringy or laborious.

One of many causes that I really like making carrot halwa is that it has a reasonably lengthy shelf life. I could make a batch that’ll final for upwards of 10 days within the fridge, that means we at all times have one thing candy to snack on after dinner.

Step-by-Step Information

How To Make Gajar Halwa

Prep and Grate Carrots

1. First rinse and peel 650 grams carrots (8 to 9 medium-sized tender, juicy carrots or 6 to 7 lengthy carrots).

2. Subsequent, grate the carrots with a field grater or in a meals processor. You will have about 4 to 4.5 cups of grated carrots.

Prepare dinner Carrots

3. In a heavy kadai or wok, add all the grated carrots.

4. Pour in 4 cups full-fat milk. Change on the burner.

5. Combine the grated carrots and milk collectively.

6. Prepare dinner this combination on a low-medium warmth. After a couple of minutes, the milk will start to froth after which begin slowly decreasing.

7. Hold stirring this halwa combination usually, scraping the perimeters of the kadai to take away the evaporated milk solids. Stir the milk solids into the cooking combination. 

8. Prepare dinner the carrot and milk combination till the liquid is diminished by 75%.

Make Gajar Halwa

9. Add 4 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter). Word that some milk will probably be there once you add the ghee.

10. Combine very effectively.

11. Subsequent, add 10 to 12 tablespoons sugar, or to style.

12. Add cardamom powder – 5 to six inexperienced cardamom pods powdered finely in a mortar-pestle, or about ½ to 1 teaspoon pre-ground cardamom powder.

13. Combine very effectively.

14. Proceed to simmer on a low flame, stirring usually.

15. Simmer until the gajar ka halwa combination begins to thicken and reduces extra. Stir at intervals.

16. When the halwa has diminished to a pudding-like consistency, add nuts and dry fruits of your selection. I’ve added 12 cashews, 12 almonds, and a pair of tablespoons golden raisins.

NOTE: Chop the nuts earlier than you add. Raisins might be stored complete. If utilizing saffron, then you may add at this step.

17. Combine once more and proceed to stir and simmer.

18. Simmer until the halwa combination turns into dry. The milk ought to evaporate utterly and you will note advantageous milk solids within the combination. Additionally, you will see some ghee being launched from the perimeters. 

Bear in mind to scrape the milk solids caught on the sides of the kadai or pan and add them again to the carrot halwa. Some moisture can be advantageous within the halwa.

19. Serve gajar ka halwa heat from the pan. Refrigerate any leftovers, warming them earlier than serving. Garnish with some chopped dry fruits whereas serving.

Step-by-Step Information

Carrot Halwa With Milkmaid

You Will Want

• 1.5 kg carrots – approximate 9 cups tightly packed grated carrots
• 6 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons cardamom powder or 8 to 9 inexperienced cardamoms – powdered in a mortar-pestle
• 1 tin sweetened condensed milk – I used nestle milkmaid, 400 grams
• sugar as required, optionally available
• ⅓ cup cashews
• ⅓ cup golden raisins

The right way to Make

To make carrot halwa with milkmaid or condensed milk, comply with these steps:

1. Soften 6 tablespoons ghee in a heavy kadai or thick bottomed skillet or pan. Add in 9 cups of tightly packed grated carrots.

2. Sauté the carrots till they flip tender and are cooked, about 15 to twenty minutes on low warmth. Stir usually.

3. Pour in a complete can of milkmaid or sweetened condensed milk (400 grams).

4. Combine totally.

5. Add 1.5 to 2 teaspoons cardamom powder, ⅓ cup raisins and ⅓ cup cashews.

6. Combine effectively and simmer gajar ka halwa on a low warmth. Stir usually at intervals till the combination thickens, reduces and dries up.

7. Serve carrot halwa sizzling or heat or chilled.

Step-by-Step Information

Gajar Halwa With Khoya

Components

• 1.5 kilogram carrots or 9 cups tightly packed grated carrots
• 6 tablespoons Ghee or clarified butter
• 2 cups khoya or mawa – grated or crumbled (evaporated milk solids) or 400 to 410 grams
• 1 to 1.25 cups sugar or add as required
• 1.5 to 2 teaspoons cardamom powder or 8 to 9 inexperienced cardamoms – powdered in a mortar-pestle
• 1 tablespoon pistachios, chopped or slivered – optionally available
• ⅓ cup cashews, or add as required
• ⅓ cup golden raisins or add as required

Technique

1. Warmth 6 tablespoons ghee in a deep bottomed heavy pan or kadai. Add 9 cups tightly packed grated carrots.

2. On a low warmth, sauté carrots in ghee, stirring usually till they flip tender and are cooked – about 15 to twenty minutes.

3. Add 2 cups of crumbled or grated khoya (a.okay.a. mawa or evaporated milk solids). 

4. First combine totally.

5. Then add 1 to 1.25 cups sugar. Regulate the quantity of sugar relying upon the sweetness of your khoya. In case your khoya is good, begin with simply 1 cup of sugar.

6. Mix and blend effectively.

7. You will note that each the khoya and sugar will soften.

8. Now add ⅓ cup of cashews, ⅓ cup golden raisins, 1 tablespoon pistachios (chopped) and 1.5 to 2 teaspoons cardamom powder.

9. Combine once more and, stirring usually, simmer gajar halwa on low warmth. The halwa will begin thickening, decreasing and go away the sides of the pan. Whenever you see these indicators, swap off the warmth.

10. Serve gajar ka halwa both heat or chilled. 

Step-by-Step Information

Immediate Pot Gajar Halwa

Components

• 500 grams carrots or 4 to 4.5 cups grated carrots
• 1.5 cups full-fat milk or complete milk
• ½ cup sugar or add as required
• 4 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tablespoon raisins
• 1 tablespoon cashews – chopped
• 1 tablespoon almonds – sliced
• 1 tablespoon pistachios – sliced
• ½ teaspoon cardamom powder (floor cardamom) or 4 to five inexperienced cardamoms, powdered in mortar-pestle

Directions

Making gajar halwa within the Immediate Pot is tremendous simple as you shouldn’t have to spend time stirring it. Observe these simple steps to make prompt pot carrot halwa:

1. Add 4 to 4.5 cups grated carrots, 1.5 cups complete milk, ½ cup sugar, and 4 tablespoons ghee within the metal insert of a 6 quart Immediate Pot.

2. Combine all the elements with a spoon to make an excellent combination.

3. Seal with the Immediate Pot lid. Place the valve to the sealing place. Stress cook dinner on excessive for 3 minutes.

4. After 3 minutes of strain cooking (it ought to beep), rigorously do a fast strain launch (QPR) by lifting the strain valve. When all of the strain is launched, open the lid. Stir and blend very effectively. 

5. Press cancel after which press the sauté button, setting the time to five to 10 minutes on regular mode.

6. The carrot halwa will start to simmer and bubble. Proceed to stir usually till the halwa thickens.

7. When the halwa has nearly thickened, add 1 tablespoons every of sliced or chopped almonds, cashews, pistachios and raisins. Add ½ teaspoon cardamom powder.

8. Carry on stirring and simmering till the liquids have evaporated and the carrot halwa thickens. The halwa will look shiny and you’ll some ghee releasing from the perimeters. Press the cancel button.

9. Serve prompt pot gajar halwa sizzling or heat.

Serving Strategies

• Within the chilly winters of North India, carrot halwa is greatest served sizzling.
• You possibly can have gajar halwa chilled should you want. It’s a private choice, very like some individuals want pudding sizzling whereas others want it chilly.
• In some eating places, they serve a mix of carrot halwa with vanilla ice cream. Consider me: this mix tastes good. It’s like carrot cake pudding a la mode!

Storing

• Fridge: You possibly can retailer the carrot halwa within the fridge. It stays effectively for about 10-12 days, however by no means lasts that lengthy in our home. When serving from leftovers, simply heat the halwa after which serve.
• Freezer: Giant portions of carrot halwa might be made and frozen. Gajar halwa retains effectively within the freezer for a couple of month.

Suggestions

Professional Suggestions

• Purchase one of the best carrots: It is very important purchase tender and juicy carrots in order that they’re simple to grate. Put together your self for an arm exercise, except you’ve a meals processor. Even nonetheless, you’ll must carry on stirring them on common intervals. Small and medium sized carrots are preferable to bigger carrots, which may grow to be woody and hard.
• Cooking: Bear in mind to stir the halwa combination usually once you cook dinner it in a pan. Leaving the skillet or pan unattended will make the milk and carrots burn or brown on the backside of the pan. So stirring commonly and maintaining consideration on the halwa whereas its simmering is a should.
• Grating vs. shredding: You possibly can both grate or shred the carrots. The carrots might be grated utilizing a hand-held field grater or a meals processor. Clearly, a meals processor makes grating of the carrots simpler, however it isn’t vital.
• Finest pan to make carrot halwa: I counsel utilizing a heavy iron skillet or kadai (wok) to make the halwa. You can even use any thick-bottomed pan or skillet.
• Scaling: You possibly can simply halve, double or triple this carrot halwa recipe relying on what number of servings you’d wish to make.

FAQs

Extra Halwa Recipes!

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This carrot halwa publish from the archives (Feb 2014) has been republished and up to date on 28 November 2021.