Shahi Gajar Ka Halwa: Dipped In Decadence
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Halwa is an Arabic word, which also means sweet, and is mostly referred to desserts that are cooked with ghee and sugar. It is a delectable Indian sweet dish which can be prepared with various ingredients such as lentils, grains, atta and vegetables.

The traditional Gajar Ka Halwa which is also known as Carrot Halwa is prepared with only carrots, milk, ghee, and sugar. Red carrots are the best to prepare as they are tender and juicy.

Carrot halwa is one of the popular sweet dishes in North India and is also served widely on celebratory occasions. It is easy to prepare but takes a bit of time. Here is the recipe for Gajar Ka Halwa. 

Cooking time: 1 hour

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

  • 500 gms grated carrot 
  • 4 tbsp ghee 
  • 250 ml fresh milk 
  • 60 ml sweet condensed milk 
  • 200 gms sugar

For garnishing:

  • 2 tbsp ghee 
  • 30 gms cashews 
  • 20 raisins 

Method:

  • Rinse the medium-sized carrots and peel them. 
  • Now, grate the carrots with a box grater or put them in a food processor to get grated carrots. Repeat the process until all the carrots are grated.
  • Take a heavy wok, put all of the grated carrots into it and pour 1 cup of milk and heat it for a while on a medium flame
  • Next, mix the grated carrots and milk. 
  • Cook this blend until the milk begins to froth and start reducing after a while 
  • Keep stirring the mixture once a while, ensure to scrape the sides of the wok to remove the evaporated milk solids. 
  • Cook the carrot and milk together unless or until the liquid is reduced by approximately 75%.
  • Now, add 4 tbsps ghee to the mixture and mix them well.
  • Next, put sugar in the mixture as per your taste.
  • Add cardamom powder and mix again.
  • Continue to simmer the mixture on a low flame and stir it often.
  • Simmer until the Gajar Ka Halwa starts to thicken and milk reduces more. 
  • Keep stirring at regular intervals.
  • Once the halwa is reduced to a pudding-like consistency, add nuts and dry fruits to it.
  • Now, mix again and continue to stir and simmer as well.
  • Next, simmer till the halwa mixture becomes properly dry. 
  • The milk should evaporate completely and you can notice fine milk solids in the halwa.
  • Garnish it with dry fruits while serving.

Points to remember:

  • Don’t add nuts without chopping them. 
  • You can add raisins as a whole but no other nuts.
  • You can also add saffron while preparing Gajar Ka Halwa.
  • Ensure to remove the milk solids stuck at the sides of the wok and put them back in the Halwa.
  • You can prepare this Gajar Ka Halwa in large quantities at once and use it for at least 10 days. Just warm and garnish it with nuts before serving.