Carrot Halwa is loved by almost all as it never fails to impress anyone. Gajar ka Halwa is my most favorite dessert. I can relate my childhood memories with this Carrot Halwa as amma makes it often.
About Carrot Halwa
Gajar means carrot so halwa made using carrots is called Gajar ka halwa or Carrot Halwa. Carrot Halwa is often made during winters as its a popular sweet made in North India. Gajar ka Halwa is one of the sweets that clicked for me in the first attempt itself and after that no looking back, it comes out good every time I make it. Carrot Halwa is a popular Indian dessert made by sauteing carrots in ghee, simmering and cooking it in milk until its reduced to form thick milk solids which along with carrots gives a rich delicious halwa. Carrot halwa is popularly known as gajar ka halwa or gajar halwa. In North India red carrots or Delhi carrots are used. But here in South India the regular orange ooty carrots are used to make this halwa. Though Delhi Gajar tastes the best you can use any carrot to try this halwa. Carrot Halwa is called as Gajrela in Punjabi language. Carrot Halwa is a classic sweet dessert popular all over India. This halwa is made using carrots, milk, khoya, sugar, ghee and nuts. Khoya adds more richness to the halwa. I wanted to try the traditional way of making Carrot Halwa, the slow cooking process and this time I tried with khoya and the halwa turned out delicious. Carrot halwa can be served warm or cold. It can be garnished with nuts or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Vanilla ice cream with carrot halwa is a match made in heaven. It’s a delightful sweet enjoyed during special occasions or any time of the year.
Carrot Halwa Video
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Carrot Halwa Recipe – 3 ways
Open pot method : This is the traditional method of making carrot halwa but takes time and effort of stirring often to avoid from burning at the bottom. However slow cooking gives more taste to the halwa. Pressure cooker method : This is quick to make and needs only little baby sitting and stirring. The texture of the halwa will be soft. Instant pot method : Instant pot can be used to make halwa if made in bulk. You can just saute and slow cook it to get the perfect desired texture, taste and consistency.
Carrot Halwa Ingredients
Carrots – Red Delhi Carrots are generally preferred for Carrot Halwa however you can use regular ooty carrots when they are not available in season. Ooty carrots are orange in color and is available throughout. Choose tender fresh carrots. Ghee – Use pure homemade ghee for best flavor and aroma. Milk – It is always best to use fresh milk to avoid it from curdling. You can use raw or boiled milk but I always prefer adding boiled milk. Sugar- I have used white sugar, but you can replace it with brown sugar or cane sugar too. Khoya – Khoya is nothing but dried evaporated milk solids.
Method 1 : Open Pan Carrot Halwa
This is the traditional method to make carrot halwa by sauteing carrots, simmering and cooking in milk and reducing it until its thick and comes to the desired consistency. This takes time and effort but worth it as it tastes so delicious.
How to make Carrot Halwa Step by Step
1.To a pan heat 1 tablespoon ghee add 1 tablespoon chopped nuts. You can add more nuts if you prefer. 2.Fry until golden. Remove to a bowl and set aside. 3.Wash carrots well, trim the edges and peel off the skin. Grate it using a grater, measure 2 cups and add it. 4.Saute for at least 3-5 mins or until it shrinks a bit and the color changes. 5.Add 1 and 1/2 cups full fat milk (boiled). 6.Keep the flame in low medium for the milk to reduce. 7.It will nicely bubble and start reducing slowly, stir on and off. Cook for 10 mins or until milk reduces to 3/4th. 8.Keep stirring in between to avoid sticking a the bottom. 9.Keep scraping the sides for the milk solids, add it into the boiling mixture. 10.Keep cooking in medium flame. 11.Now milk is reduced to 3/4th. 12.At this stage add 2 tablespoon unsweetened khoya. If you add sweetened khoya adjust sugar accordingly. You can completely skip this step if you do not have khoya. 13.Add 1/3 cup sugar. 14.Once you add sugar, it will again become runny, just keep cooking and stirring. 15.Keep stirring so that it does not stick to the bottom of the pan. 16.It will start to thicken. 17. Halwa becomes thick but still moist. The mixture comes together with a sticky texture that’s the right consistency. 18.Now add 1 tablespoon ghee and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder. 19.Give a quick stir. 20.Add fried nuts – I reserved half of it for garnish. 21.Give a quick stir and switch off. Delicious Carrot Halwa is ready!
Method 2 : Pressure Cooker Carrot Halwa
This pressure cooker Carrot Halwa is one of the easiest and quickest to make when you are pressed for time. With this pressure cooker method carrot halwa can be made quickly and takes very less time and effort when compared to the previous method. Though a slight compromise in taste and texture it still tastes delicious.
Ingredients
2 cups carrot grated 1 cup milk 1/4 cup sugar 2 tablespoon ghee 1 tablespoon chopped almonds / cashews 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
Method
Method 3 : Instant Pot Carrot Halwa
Instant pot is widely used for cooking these days as it makes life easier. This carrot halwa is no exception you can make it in instant pot too.
Set saute mode on for 10 minutes Add ghee saute carrots until it shrinks and raw smell leaves Add milk and mix it well Cover with lid and set the mode to pressure cook. Cook for 15 minutes. Let pressure release by itself. Open and give a quick mix. Add sugar, khoya(if adding) and cook until thick. Add ghee little by little until it comes to desired halwa consistency. Add nuts , cardamom powder and give a quick mix. If you want fry nuts in ghee and add it. Carrot halwa is ready!
Expert Tips
Always saute carrots in ghee till raw smell completely leaves. I used homemade condensed milk. I used raw nuts, you can add ghee fried cashews / badams too Using a thick bottomed utensil is a must. Cooking the entire process in low or low medium flame is advisable. The halwa keeps well for 2-3 days if refrigerated, in room temperature only for a day. Cardamom powder is used for giving a mild flavour to carrot halwa but if you don’t prefer adding just skip it. White sugar is usually preferred, but you can replace it with jaggery or brown sugar too. You can even add saffron strands and raisins in addition. You can use Delhi carrots(red carrots) or regular ooty carrots.
Serving and Storage
Carrot Halwa served with vanilla ice ice cream is a match made in heaven, if you haven’t tasted the combo then you should do it right away. You can serve it with any flavored ice cream though vanilla is the best combo. You can serve halwa with ice cream or as such too. Carrot Halwa keeps well in room temperature for one day. If refrigerated you can extend shelf life up to 2 days.
1.Which type of carrot is good for Carrot Halwa?
Red carrots also called as Delhi carrots are best to make this halwa. However you can try this halwa with ooty or regular carrots too.
2.Is Carrot Halwa good for health?
Low fat Carrot Halwa is healthy. You can use low fat milk and jaggery or dates as sweetener to make a healthy low fat version. However regular carrot halwa in small quantities on those rare occasions can be had as a dessert which is surely good. If you have any more questions about this Carrot Halwa do mail me at [email protected]. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter . Tried this Gajar ka Halwa ? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
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