Gajar ka halwa or carrot halwa is one of the easiest recipes. Probably one of the most popular dessert. You can make it an evening, prior to the big day. Serve it hot on a cool winter morning. You can also pair it with some cold ice cream. You can use sugar to add sweetness .You can use jaggery as an healthier alternative. First of all, it is kid friendly and elders can have it too. Therefore immensely popular. Mostly, it is a regular dessert at most wedding menus. Hence, you will never find someone saying no to this delectable gajrela.
You can make it with or without nuts.
Indian carrot dessert never disappoints as it is rich in flavor and texture.
How to make dark orange gajar ka halwa?
Red carrots are available only in winter in India. Some people resort to using red color to get that richness. However, we didn't want to go that way. Having a young kid at home, we do not use colors. We always want to see on how to make things better. We have made this recipe with the orange carrots.
Traditional red carrots are not available in Australia. Hence, getting its deep red color is a challenge. However, adding some beetroot did the trick. Presenting, Indian carrot pudding with Aussie orange carrots. We could finally make the halva as it should. Deep rich red. Adding beets makes no difference to taste. In fact, it only adds to the nutrient value.
It increases the iron content as well natural sweetness. Win-Win!
Is Carrot halwa served hot or cold?
Primarily its served warm or hot as there are lot of milk solids in the halwa that are not edible if served cold. It can be served on its own or sometimes with vanilla ice cream.
Ways to make carrot halwa
- You can make Gajar halwa with khoya /mawa.
- You can also make it with milkmaid or condensed milk. However, you will need to adjust sugar accordingly. Therefore it may go up in calories too.
- Another way of making it is adding some condensed milk along with normal milk. This cuts the time but adds the sugar.
- You can also make it from lite milk though the texture is not so rich.
Click on the link below to watch the gajar ka halwa video
How to make carrot halwa?
- Heat ghee in a pan, cool grated carrots for few minutes.
2. Add grated beetroot to the carrots. (optional, only if you want bright red/orange color with the orange carrots)
3. Add milk and let it cook on slow/medium flame, let it come to a boil.
4. Once it starts boiling, let it cook on slow flame.
5. Continue to cook, allowing the milk to evaporate.
6. As the milk is reduced to ⅓ of original quantity, add sugar.
7. Add mawa (milk solids) and let it cook(optional)
8. Once the milk has evaporated, add ghee and let is cook until the ghee starts to ooze out.
Read the carrot pudding recipe below:
Gajar ka Halwa
Ingredients
- 500 grams grated carrots
- ½ cup small beetroot boiled and grated (optional)
- 1.5 liter full fat milk
- ½ cup mawa optional
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 tbsp. ghee or clarified butter
- ½ cup dry fruits almonds,pistachio,cashews
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
Instructions
- Heat 2 tbsp. ghee in a pan,cool grated carrots for few minutes.
- Add grated beetroot to the carrots
- Add milk,cardamom and let it cook on slow/medium flame,let it come to a boil.
- Once it starts boiling,let it cook on slow flame.
- Continue to cook,allowing the milk to evaporate
- As the milk is reduced to ⅓ of original quantity,add Sugar
- Add mawa(milk solids) and let it cook,add chopped nuts now.
- Once the milk has evaporated,add 2 tbsp. ghee and let is cook until the ghee starts to ooze out.
Notes
Nutrition
Different types of halwa recipes
There are many different types of halwa recipes in India. We make it from fruits, veggies, flour, semolina and even lentils.
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Ramesh says
Very tasty