Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa).

Happy New Year 2015 ... 

Bringing in the year with a bang with Gajar ka Halwa ... 

Stay Blessed, Spread Happiness ....

"Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)" ... traditional sweet dishes are always as pleasure to prepare and relish ... here is the most delicious- famous carrot based sweet dessert/ halwa prepared with sweet red colored carrots available during winter season that are also know in some parts of India as gajrela, gajar pak etc. ... can be offered as Naivedyam/ Prasadam or served as dessert on any given occasions ... do try this version and enjoy with family and friends; it's awesome ... Yummilciious ... 

** Gajar ka Halwa is the most famous dessert in India and more so during winters as that's the season when these sweet red colored carrots are available in plenty. It is not at all surprising to find them served as dessert on table in homes to guests or during celebrations just like how aamras is during mango season. 

** Though Gajar ka Halwa can be relished as it is there are plenty of combinations preferred to be served as is the region of the country. In some places they are served with poori, while some love it with ice creams or malai kulfi. A very popular Indian sweet prepared with grated carrots is one of the most favored during season. 

** Gajar ka Halwa is a children's favorite and each home has its own recipe with minute changes. However, its largely prepared with carrots, ghee, sugar, milk or khova and flavored with cardamom while its garnished with dry fruits like cashew nuts, raisins, khus khus, almond slivers etc. as per each ones own choice. 

** Gajar ka Halwa is a traditional Indian dessert that's rich and decadent is pure bliss to dig into served warm or cold and in my home we love to relish it with poori, though I can have a large bowl full as it is. I love addition of fried cashew nuts and khus khus (poppy seeds) though you may chose to add what is your families favorite. 

** "Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)" is also prepared in many more ways like with addition of milkmaid, khova, in mixture with beetroot, rava etc. I will be sharing them as and when I prepare, till then go ahead with this traditional and easiest way of preparing it and enjoy it with your family and friends. Take Care have a lovely year ahead.  

** Here is my own recipe for "Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)" my style ....

** Ingredients :

Red Carrot/ Gajar : 1 Kg

Toop/Ghee : 1/4- 1/3 cup

Sugar/ Shakkar/ Sakkara : 2- 2.5 cups

Milk/ Doodh : 1/2 liter (3 cups) approx.

Cus Cus/ Khus Khus/ Poppy Seeds/ Gasa Gase : 2 tsp

Ellaichi/ Cardamom/ Yellu Powder : 1/2 tsp

Kesar/ Keshar/ Saffron : a few strands (Optional)

Cashew Nuts/ Kajjubi/ Kaju : 1/2 cup pieces (approx).

Dried Grapes/ Raisins/ Sukkale Draksha :

Edible Orange Food Color : few drops (Optional)

** Wash well the red carrots/ gajar and dry them with a napkin. Peel off the outer skin and then grate them on a medium hole sized grater. 

** Heat home made ghee/ toop in a thick bottomed kadai, when hot add in the grated carrots and fry on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. 

** Add in the sugar (shakkar/ sakkara) along with the full fat or skimmed milk/ doodh, mix well and bring to a boil on full heat.

** Note : The addition of sugar depends upon individual/ family preferences on sweet level, so increase or decrease accordingly. 

** When the mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to minimum and cook on while you keep stirring to avoid the carrot gets burnt at the bottom. 

** Add saffron and Orange food Colour (both Optional) and let cook until halwa leaves the sides of kadai and the ghee oozes out from sides. 

** Lastly add in the cardamom powder and mix well. Remove from heat and let rest a while or pour it on to a try and pat to level.

** For Garnishing : Heat 1 tblsp ghee/ toop in a small pan, add cashew nut pieces and fry until lightly browned and then immediately add in the poppy seeds and further fry until its color changes, remove, add to the gajjar halwa and mix well, do not allow the khus khus to get burnt as it will spoil the taste of halwa.

** Note : Addition of cus cus (poppy seeds), edible food color, saffron (kesar) are all optional and you can skip them if not desired. 

** "Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)" is done and ready to be offered as Naivedyam to God or as dessert to all. This halwa can be served hot/ cold as per individual choice. It can also be served with poori again a delicious combo, however in Mumbai I have often come across it being served with Vanilla Ice Cream at events and I must say it taste wonderful, do give it a try and enjoy with family and friends

** These days innovation has taken over in food just like in other fields and there are plenty of ways in which desserts are served. You will find them served with ice cream, malai kulfi, poori, cakes and many more ways. I have even prepared patti samosa/ small sized triangular samosa with it and they all taste great. Sure to try out more options and share them, until then just go ahead and enjoy them, the way you prefer. 

** There are a few more versions of other types of halwa and desserts shared in the Blog which you may browse through in leisure using the search or label option available. Do give me a feedback whenever possible. Thank You ....