Indian Carrot Dessert Gajar Ka Halwa Recipes

GAJAR HALVA (CARROT PUDDING - AN INDIAN DESSERT)

Steps:

• Heat carrots and half-and-half to boiling in saucepan; reduce heat.
• Simmer uncovered, stirring frequently, until all the half & half is absorbed, about 45 minutes.
• Stir in the brown sugar, raisins, butter, cardamom and salt.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until all of the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is of your desired consistency, (pudding-like) about 15 minutes.
• Garnish with pistachios or slivered almonds.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

GAJAR KA HALWA - INDIAN CARROT PUDDING

Steps:

• Peel the carrots. Shred the carrots using the smaller side of the shredder. You can do it by hand or use a food processor.
• Heat a wok on medium heat, once hot, add 1 tbsp of ghee.
• Add the carrots and saute for about 8 minutes until the color of the carrots changes.
• Keep stirring to avoid burning. This is a labor of love.
• Add milk to the carrots. Cook the carrots and milk down for 6-7 minutes until all the milk is absorbed by the carrots.
• Keep stirring to avoid sticking and burning.
• Once all the milk is absorbed, this is what you should have.
• Add the sugar.
• Immediately after, add 1 more tbsp of ghee.
• Keep stirring. until all the water is absorbed which is left behind by the sugar. This process will take about 5-6 minutes.
• Once done, add cardamom powder. Stir.
• Add chopped cashews. You can also add almonds, pistachios, and raisins, however I just stick with cashews.
• Mix well.
• Dry roast the Gajar ka Halwa for a couple more minutes so the color of the carrots deepens slightly.
• Enjoy with a cup of my Kadak Masala Chai.

INDIAN CARROT DESSERT - GAJAR KA HALWA

Steps:

• Grate the carrots either using a hand grater or a food processor.
• Warm the ghee in a large pot. Add the grated carrots and saute for about 5 minutes until they soften, stirring constantly.
• Add the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partially covered, for 2-3 hours until all the milk is absorbed and there is no liquid left. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pot.
• Raise the heat to medium and add the sugar. Cook for 30 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts.
• Add the cardamom, almonds, and raisins. Cook 15-20 minutes more until the mixture gets really dry and starts to pull away from the sides of the pot. Keep stirring actively at this point because it can easily burn.
• When done, remove from the heat and let cool. Serve either warm or chilled garnished with some chopped pistachios. Enjoy!

CARROT HALWA | GAJAR HALWA RECIPE

Steps:

• Wash carrots under running water & peel them.
• Grate them in a food processor or with a hand grater.
• Dry roast nuts on a low heat until crunchy, cool & chop them. OR Alternately chop the nuts first & fry them in 1 tbsp ghee until slightly golden. Then add raisins & fry until they plump up. Remove to a plate.
• Next bring milk to a boil in a heavy bottom pot or deep pan.
• Add grated carrots and cook on a medium heat stirring often.
• Do not leave the pot unattended as the milk will get scorched.
• When the milk has completely evaporated add sugar and stir well.
• Sugar will release lot of moisture & will make the entire carrot halwa gooey.
• Cook until half the moisture evaporates, then stir in the ghee.
• Saute the carrot halwa well in ghee until the moisture evaporates completely.
• When it is done gajar halwa turns aromatic & thickens. It will still be moist. Sprinkle cardamom powder.
• Garnish carrot halwa with nuts. Serve warm or chilled with Ice cream.
• Press the saute button and add 1 tbsp ghee to the steel insert of the IP.
• When it is hot fry the nuts until light golden.
• Then add in raisins if using. When they plump up remove to a plate.
• Then add in the carrots & saute for 2 to 3 mins stirring well.
• Pour 1 cup milk and mix well. Deglaze by scrubbing the bottom of the pot with a spatula.
• Secure the instant pot & position the steam release handle to sealing.
• Press the pressure cook (manual) button & set the timing to 3 mins.
• When the instant pot beeps and finishes, do a manual pressure release carefully.
• Stir in the sugar, ghee & cardamom powder.
• Press the saute button & saute until the milk evaporates completely.
• Garnish gajar halwa with chopped nuts & raisins.