A healthy version of the traditional pudding that doesn’t lose flavour uses carrots infused with the richness of honey. So this healthy carrot halwa recipe is perfect for you if you enjoy desserts but want to avoid sugar. The traditional Indian carrot pudding known as gajar halwa or gajrela is given a healthy twist in this dish with a little help from the jaggery. The ghee and cardamom powder add an unforgettable aroma and rich texture. Serve this classic, rich, creamy sweet as dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth, excite your kids, or entertain guests, and watch them help themselves for seconds. Serve it warm to ward off the chill in winter or top it with a dollop of ice cream to enjoy summer.
| Recipe Name | Carrot Halwa Recipe |
| Place of Origin | North Indian |
| Total Time Taken | 60 minutes |
| Preparation Time | 10 minutes |
How to Make Carrot Halwa?
For every recipe, there are certain steps that you need to follow and certain ingredients that you require. The same for a carrot halwa recipe is as follows:
Ingredients
- 8 to 9 carrots medium
- ½ to 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 10 to 12 cashews – chopped
- 10 to 12 almonds, sliced or chopped
- 4 cups of either whole milk or full fat organic milk
- 4 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
- ¼ cup jaggery
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins
- 1 pinch saffron strands
Preparation
Step 1: The carrots (eight to nine medium-sized, tender, juicy carrots) should first be rinsed, peeled, and grated either with a hand-held grater or in a food processor.
Step 2: You need about 4 to 4.5 cups of grated carrots.
Making Carrot Halwa
Step 3: Combine milk and grated carrots in a kadai or deep, thick-bottomed pan.
Step 4: Bring the entire mixture to a boil over a low to medium temperature before simmering it.
Step 5: Continue stirring occasionally as the mixture simmers on a low burner.
Step 6: In the milk, the grated carrots will cook, and the milk will begin to thicken and evaporate.
Step 7: Add the ghee, jaggery, and powdered cardamom to the mixture once the milk has reduced by 75%.
Step 8: On a low burner, cook and simmer while stirring thoroughly. Don’t forget to stir the halwa occasionally.
Step 9: Add the cashews, almonds, saffron strands, and raisins toward the end. Until all of the milk has evaporated, simmer the halwa. Turn the burner off.
Step 10: Gajar halwa can be served warm, heated, or even cold. While serving, add some chopped dried fruits as a garnish.
Tips to Enhance the Taste
It is not necessary to entirely adhere to the carrot halwa recipe given above. You can consider the following steps to enhance its taste:
- When the halwa mixture is simmering and cooking, keep an eye on it because the ingredients could burn or turn brown at the bottom of the pan. It is necessary to constantly stir the carrot halwa mixture.
- The type and quality of gajar have a vital impact in the overall flavour of this dessert. Use carrots that are both sweet and juicy.
- Add 1/4 cup unsweetened khoya (mawa) for a creamy texture. If using sweet khoya, adjust the jaggery proportionately.
Serving Ideas for Carrot Halwa
The best way to eat gajar ka halwa is warm. Even though it is a very filling dessert on its own, you can dress it up for parties and special events by serving it with a scoop of vanilla or kulfi ice cream.
Nutritional Content in Carrot Halwa Recipe
The nutritional content in a typical batch of carrot halwa prepared is as follows:
| Calories | 328 kcal |
| Fats | 16g |
| Carbs | 42g |
| Protein | 7g |
Conclusion
So these were the recipe and tips to make a delicious-tasting carrot halwa. However, make sure that you consume moderate amounts of the same and balance out your meal with other nutrients.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Halwa Recipe
Q. How long does carrot halwa stay fresh?
Carrot halwa can be kept for 10 to 12 days in the refrigerator. Keep it away from room temperature since it will spoil. Even frozen carrot halwa lasts for approximately a month.
Q. What if I make it vegan?
Sure! Use coconut oil in place of ghee and substitute your preferred non-dairy milk. However, keep in mind that the halwa will acquire the flavour and aroma of coconut oil.
Q. Can I make halwa without nuts using carrots?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute your preferred roasted seeds for them or remove them completely.
Q. What causes the blackening of carrot halwa?
If you don't mix the carrots in between, they'll become trapped at the bottom and the sugars will burn. This causes the halwa to darken/burn in areas. To avoid this, stir the halwa at regular intervals.
Q. How long does carrot halwa keep?
Gajar Ka Halwa can be refrigerated for up to 10 -12 days. Do not keep it open for a long period of time.
Q. Is it possible to reheat halwa?
Before serving, reheat in the microwave or a pan until warm. Microwave is the best way to reheat carrot halwa. Simply sprinkle it with water, cover, and cook for 1 minute. Then thoroughly combine.
Q. How long can we keep carrot halwa in the refrigerator?
The carrot halwa can be refrigerated. It keeps well for around 10-12 days, although in our family, it never lasts that long. When serving leftover halwa, simply warm it before serving.
Q. How can hard halwa be softened?
If overdone, carrot halwa can become hard. This can also be the case when not enough ghee is used in the recipe. To avoid this, you should continue stirring while adding more ghee at low flame.
Q. Why is Gajar Halwa so well-known?
Many people choose vegetarian dishes and desserts in their Thali during the festival season. Gajar ka halwa is a well-liked dessert all throughout India and frequently served at most festivals due to its low-fat content, vegetarian characteristics, easiness of preparation, medium shelf-life, and taste.
Q. Carrot halwa: is it healthy for diabetics?
Diabetes patients can consume gajar ka halwa by substituting this for sugar. Gajar ka Halwa can be modified to include particular ingredients to make it suitable for people with high blood sugar levels.
