Growing up years, this dessert had a special place in my heart and will always be.
Gajar ka halwa is a traditional Indian dessert made with grated carrots, clarified butter or ghee, full fat milk, sugar and garnished with generous dose of chopped nuts. This dessert is perfectly seasoned with cardamom and saffron and is a must have in winters. Piping hot gajar halwa in the cold winters is just the right thing you need to keep you warm and comforting.
Here's how this is made.
Ingredients:
500 grams carrots, grated. Do not use the core of the carrot.
1/2 cup ghee also known as clarified butter.
2 tablespoons of raisins
750 ml Milk
3/4 cup Sugar
10-12 almonds blanched and cut lengthwise
1 teaspoon green cardamom powder
A pinch of saffron soaked in 1 tablespoon of milk
Directions:
Heat ghee in a heavy bottom pan, add the raisins and saute for few moments until the raisins puff up. After this add the grated carrots and sauté for a few minutes until the carrots become slightly soft.
Now, add the milk and turn the heat to medium high and allow the milk and carrot mixture to come to a boil. Once the milk and carrot mixture come to a boil, turn the heat to medium low and cook the gajar halwa until entire milk is evaporated and the mixture becomes thick.
This will roughly take 35 to 40 minutes. Keep stirring the carrot mixture continuously to avoid it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
At this stage, add in the sugar, cardamom, Saffron and half of the sliced almonds. Keep stirring the halwa until the sugar melts and the halwa thickens a little more.
Once the gajar halwa has thickened to a good consistency, turn off the heat and the halwa is ready to be served.
Enjoy this beautiful and comforting recipe you all lovely people.