Hi Chefs!!
Winter season starts and so does the wait for beautiful and sweet red carrots. And as soon as it hits the market we rush to buy it. WHY???.......
Obviously to make hum sabka favorite “Gaajar Ka Halwa(carrot halwa)”. Gaajar ka halwa is a winter food which is consumed to keep us warm in winters. It is sweet and is rich because it includes desi ghee, khoya, and dry fruits.
Now before we jump to the simple and quick recipe let us learn a few facts about Carrots - a wonder vegetable.
Carrots are basically root vegetables. It is crunchy, has its own sweetness, and is highly nutritious. Carrots are found in many colors including Orange, Yellow, Red, Purple, Black. Including carrots in your daily diet helps in weight -loss, cholesterol management and is good for healthy eyes.
Carrots contain very little fats and protein. They are a very good source of fiber and have a low glycemic index(GI) ranging from 16-60, lowest for raw and highest for the cooked ones.
Carrots are a good source of several vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, vitamin K1, vitamin B6, biotin, and potassium.
To conclude carrots are a perfect snack – low calories, nutritious, crunchy, sweet, good for digestion, and weight loss.
Now on to the recipe:
Gaajar Ka Halwa:
Ingredients:
· Gaajar (carot) – 1 ½ kg (grated)
· Milk – 250 ml
· Khoya/mawa – 200 gm
· Sugar – ¾ cup
· Cardamom (elaichi) – 7-8 (powdered)
· Ghee – ½ cup
· Almonds – 15-20 (chopped)
· Cashew – 15-20 (chopped)
How to Make Gaajar Ka Halwa:
1. In a wok/kadhai heat ghee and add grated carrots to it.
2. Mix it and cover with the lid, on a medium flame.
3. Let carrots cook in their own juice. Keep stirring in between.
4. The process will take around 8-10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile in another pan heat 1tbsp ghee.
6. Add chopped almonds and cashew, roast them.
7. Add khoya to it and keep stirring till it slightly changes the color.
8. When all the juice of carrots is evaporated add milk to it.
9. Let it cook on medium flame.
10. When all milk evaporates add khoya mixture to the carrots and mix well.
11. Now let it cook well. The process will take another 10-15 minutes.
12. Add elaichi powder and sugar.
13. Cook till all the melted sugar is incorporated well and the carrots become gooey.
14. Voila! Your carrot Halwa is ready.
15. Serve it hot or cold as per your liking.
Enjoy!!
Some Pro Tips:
1. Buy good quality red carrots.
2. Use full-fat milk to get that extra richness.
3. Add dry fruits as per your choice. you can add kishmish(raisins)/pista(pistachios)/walnuts.
4. You can increase/decrease the quantity of sugar as per your taste. Sugar-Free can be used as a substitute.
5. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 15 days.
Comments