GAJAR KA HALWA ( CARROT HALWA)




Description: Gajar ka halwa, also known as gajorer halua, gajrela, gajar pak, and carrot halwa is a carrot-based sweet dessert pudding from the Indian subcontinent. It is made by placing grated carrots in a pot containing a specific amount of water, milk and sugar, cardamom and then cooking while stirring regularly. It is often served with a garnish of almonds and pistachios. The nuts and other items used are first sautéed in ghee, a type of clarified butter from the Indian subcontinent.

The dessert is traditionally eaten during all of the festivals in India, mainly on the occasion of Diwali, Holi, Eid al-Fitr and Raksha Bandhan. It is served hot during the winter.
(Source :WIKIPEDIA)

Recipe: Wash and Peel (Orange or Red) Carrots as per preference. I always Prefer the Orange Australian Carrots as they are sweet and of very good quality.

Grate the carrots well and then start by cooking it by adding some ghee, when heated, add the cardamom seeds and grated carrots and mix well. Allow the carrots to cook, stirring occasionally.. We want to dry out the carrots as much as we can before adding the milk. This will take about 30 minutes. Add the milk. Bring to an almost-boil then reduce the heat to medium. Continue to cook, uncovered, until the milk evaporates. This may take between 2-3 hours, depending on how much moisture is in your carrots and on your heat.. Remember to stir occasionally, especially during the last 30 minutes when the mixture will be drier and may begin to stick to the bottom of the pot. If you pull the halwa to one side of the pot and see some milk release from the sides within a few seconds, this means the halwa is still too moist and needs more drying out. Once most of the moisture has evaporated, add in the ghee and sugar, pinch of saffron (optional).Continue to cook on medium heat, stirring often, for about 25 minutes. You may begin to see the Halwa change colour to a deep autumn shade of orange and the ghee may begin to separate at the sides from the carrots - this is normal and what we want!

Garnish with some cashewnuts and almonds, that have been roasted and fried in Ghee.
This can be eaten hot with vanilla ice-cream on top or enjoyed as it is. You can also have it cold.

TIP OF ADVISE: Gajar ka Halwa needs pretty much constant attention and stirring and scraping of the bottom of the pot, otherwise it can boil over or burn...

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