GAJAR KA HALWA

Gajar ka halwa is a sweet carrot pudding with milk, sugar and nuts which is a speciality of Indian sub continent. There are many names for this delicious hearty pudding like gajrela, gajorer halua, gajar pak etc., It is made by cooking grated carrots in milk, sugar and nuts. It has this warm, rich and divine taste flavored with cardamom and crunchy chopped nuts makes it even more interesting.

This classic Indian dessert has been my favorite dessert since my childhood and my mom used to make this specially for us for every new year celebrations on Dec 31st. We(me and my brother) used to relish this hearty and divine tasting halwa until it finishes in no time 😋. So here me sharing my mom’s recipe of Gajar ka halwa and please do try it and let me know your feedback.

This is just Gajar ka Halwa Trifle I tried with some Parle-G and Pistachio crumb, Vanilla mousse and topped it with gajar ka halwa.

Carrots grated 2 cups

Ghee 2 tbsp

Cashews chopped 1 tbsp

Almonds Slivered 1 tbsp

Pistachios chopped 1 tbsp

Whole Milk/Full fat milk 2 cups

Cardamom 2

Saffron strands 2-3

Sugar 1/2 cup(adjust to your sweet level)

• Wash and peel the carrots and grate them finely
• Chop the cashews, almonds and pistachios
• Grind the cardamom to a fine powder in a mortal and pestle
• Now heat a thick bottomed pan add ghee
• Once the ghee is melted add in grated carrots and saute on medium flame for 10 min
• Add in the milk, saffron strands and cardamom powder and mix well
• Cover and let it cook on low to medium flame until the milk reduced to its 3/4 quantity
• In between keep stirring the halwa intermittently and scrape down the sides and make sure its not sticking to the pan
• Now add in sugar and mix until sugar is completely dissolved
• Let it cook for some more time until the milk is completely reduced and dries out
• Lastly add in chopped nuts and mix it finally and serve hot or cold as you like

• You can also add in some khoa and increase the richness of the dish
• You can also use condensed milk and adjust the sugar accordingly as condensed milk has sweetness