Take a culinary journey to India with the delectable Gajar Halwa, a traditional carrot fudge that tantalizes taste buds with its vibrant hue and rich, nutty flavor. This dessert holds a special place in Indian cuisine, often served during festivals and celebrations. Prepared with grated carrots, milk, sugar, ghee, and a medley of aromatic spices, Gajar Halwa embodies the essence of Indian sweets. Discover the art of crafting this delectable treat with a collection of recipes that cater to diverse preferences and skill levels. Embark on a culinary adventure, explore variations like the classic Gajar Halwa, the luscious Badam Halwa, the creamy Milkmaid Halwa, and the innovative Microwave Gajar Halwa. Each recipe offers a unique experience, ensuring there's a perfect Gajar Halwa for every palate and occasion.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
GAJAR KA HALWA (CARROT HALWA)
Try this recipe if you want to know how to make traditional Indian gajar ka halwa, or carrot halwa. A lovely dessert anytime, I most recently made it for Diwali. This is the 'old school' method that uses whole milk, not condensed milk. You can use ghee instead of oil for initially cooking the carrots, if desired.
Provided by manju
Categories Holidays and Events Recipes Diwali
Time 1h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and add carrots. Cook and stir briefly, about 3 minutes. Pour in milk and increase heat; bring to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1 hour.
- Bring carrot-milk mixture back to a boil. Add sugar, raisins, cardamom, and saffron. Cook and stir until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes.
- Ladle carrot halwa into 8 individual serving dishes. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon pistachios. Serve warm or chill before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 458.5 calories, Carbohydrate 79.8 g, Cholesterol 18.3 mg, Fat 13.5 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 9 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 187 mg, Sugar 70.3 g
CARROT HALWA (GAJAR HALWA)
Make some indulgent gajar halwa, a popular dessert in North India. Often served at Diwali to mark the change of seasons, it's almost fudgy in texture
Provided by Roopa Gulati
Categories Dessert
Time 2h10m
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Put the carrots, pierced cardamom pods and milk in a heavy-based pan and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hr, stirring frequently until the milk has evaporated.
- Heat the butter in a deep pan, and stir-fry the carrot mixture for about 15-20 mins until darkened in colour and it has lost its wet, milky appearance.
- Add the sugar, raisins and almonds or pistachios, and stir-fry the halwa for another 5 mins. Serve hot. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to six months.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 516 calories, Fat 34 grams fat, SaturatedFat 20 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 43 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 42 grams sugar, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, Sodium 0.24 milligram of sodium
GAJAR HALWA (CARROT AND CARDAMOM PUDDING)
The recipe for this Indian dessert comes from the North Carolina chef Cheetie Kumar, and it instantly transports her to her mother's kitchen around Diwali, the air rich with the aroma of fragrant carrots, caramelized milk and cardamom. The carrots are cooked down to be incredibly tender, but they still maintain some texture; the milk becomes jammy. If eaten warm, it's like a really decadent warm cereal or oatmeal; if served cold, it's like rice pudding, cool and sweet. The crunch of the toasted nuts make it the perfect meal-ender or tea time snack. If your carrots are bland, increase the sugar accordingly; the sweetness of the carrots makes a huge difference in the finished pudding. Some people prefer a looser halwa, but Ms. Kumar loves the caramelized notes that emerge when the pudding is cooked a little longer.
Provided by Brigid Washington
Categories custards and puddings, dessert
Time 1h
Yield 3 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a wide, heavy-bottomed skillet (don't use nonstick) over medium heat, melt ghee, then add carrots. Stir until carrots are well coated with ghee. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until carrots are somewhat dry and caramelized, about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring often so they don't scorch.
- Once the carrots are nice and dried out, stir in the milk and cardamom and simmer, stirring every few minutes, until the milk has reduced and is almost fully absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes.
- Sprinkle in the sugar, mix well to combine, and cook 5 to 8 more minutes until the mixture is almost dry and jammy. Serve warm or cold with toasted nuts sprinkled over the top.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 350, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 8 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Sodium 150 milligrams, Sugar 27 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use ghee (clarified butter) or coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.
- Add a pinch of cardamom powder or saffron for extra flavor.
- If you like a thicker halwa, cook it for a few minutes longer.
- Garnish with chopped nuts, dried fruits, or edible silver leaf before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Gajar halwa is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. Whether you like it plain or with added spices and nuts, gajar halwa is sure to please everyone. Next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give this traditional Indian dessert a try.
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