Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
April 26th, 2007 filed under Desserts
Gajar (Carrot) Halwa also known as gajrala is a traditional Punjabi dessert made with carrots and milk. Gajar Halwa is delicious warm or cold.
Recipe serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 6 chopped roasted cashew nuts (To garnish)
Method:
- Roast the cashew nuts and set aside for the garnish.
- Boil the milk on medium-high heat in a non-stick pan until it is reduced to about to 1 cup. Stir often to ensure the milk does not burn in the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan on medium heat.
- Add the shredded carrots and stir-fry for about seven to eight minutes.
- Carrots should be tender and slightly changed in color.
- Add the milk and cook until the milk dries. This will take about eight to ten minutes.
- Next add the sugar, and cardamom powder and stir-fry for another three to four minutes until the halwa starts to leave the side of frying pan.
- Garnish with cashew nuts.
Tips:
Gajar Halwa can be refrigerated for up to one week and kept in the freezer for up to two months. When ready to serve just warm.
Suggestion:
Cook the halwa a little more and pour on a greased plate. Spread the halwa until it is flat and 3/4 inch thick. After the halwa cools, cut in squares. Garnish with cashew nuts or sliced almonds.
hello Manjula Aunty,
Can you please tell me as what type of milk you had used? I maen did you take fat-free, 1%, 2% or whole milk. Can you please let me know as soon as possible as on 4 apr 2011 i am planning to prepare this or Shirkhand(still not decided what to make from this two) as it is “Guddi Padva” our new year
thanks
–
Manik
Thank you manjula ji for giving us such a beautiful site, cooking has become very simple for me now.So far i have tried besan k laddo, moong dal ka halwa and badam ki barfi
Hi Aunty,
I tried this carrot halwa and every body liked it.
Got excellent comments from friends.
I really like your website.
Will definitely try other recipes also..
This is delicious.
I made this for dessert this evening, but as I was busy making a few other dishes (Bainan Bjarta, Rice and Chana Dal), I substituted
1 cup of canned evaporated vitamin D milk,
rather than stand over the stove to reduce the 2 cups of milk. I just added it to the carrots like in step 6.
I haven’t made it the other way yet, or tasted this before, but I’m pretty pleased with the results. It may be my new addiction.
Manjula Ji,
I was missing this classic dish, since when I left Jaipur, where this is very famous in one of the sweet stall by name LAKSHMI MISHTAN BHANDAR.
Today I tried @ home and to my surprise the taste is very gud.
Thnx again making my memories afresh
Vijay
Hi,
thanks for the easy recipe, halwa came out well. Since it was my first try, I was reluctant to try. But it came well.
thanks
you didn’t mention when to add the cardamom powder, as a result i forgot to add it……still it was delicious though.
Murali,
Sorry, cardamom powder should be added at the same time with the sugar.
[...] I added more banana and honey, and incorporated some spices. The cardamom makes this reminiscent of gajar halva, or Indian carrot pudding. I also replaced the pecans with the streusel topping from my [...]
Hi Aunty,
Thanks a lot for your nice dishes.
I have a question. When we should use kadhai and when flat frying pan?
waiting for your answer.
Manjulaji, thanks for an easy demonstration on how to make a new favorite dessert. Somehow I missed this wonderful treat until my travels through South India where it often became a sought-after night cap. Look forward to more.
Manjula ji, This is the first recipe i tried from your site. Its great and so simple. Your recipes are so homely with no fancy stuff. Thanks a lot. I will try other ones too. You are helping Indians who are away from home and do not know much cooking. I thank you for the tip on microwaving the milk instead of boiling it on the stove.