Gajar Halwa or Carrot Pudding : A winter Delight
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Yumminess in every bite
Gajar Halwa or Carrot pudding is one dessert which is made in most North Indian households during winter season and every household has a different version of it. The common ingredient is Carrots. Oh how I miss the gorgeous deep red colored carrots available in India during winters. When I made my first Gajar Halwa in USA, I was so disappointed with the result since the fun part is the deep red color of carrots. Now I am used to it and there is no better option. Adding food color? Big no no. This pudding or halwa as we call is very appealing and very nutritious because of several health benefits of consuming carrots and added nuts in it :).
Portion control is a good thing and anything served in shot glass is exotic 😉
Have a shot of Gajar Halwa and you will be hooked :). Traditionally, it takes long time to get it cooked but my version is super easy and fast and done under 15 minutes. Don’t believe it? Try it ! This is so tempting, that as a child I would eat a big bowl of it alone…lol..not anymore :).
Here you go, get cooking :).
Ingredients :
Carrots : 3&1/2 cups grated and packed
Ghee : 1 tbsp. may use coconut oil.
Mawa dry or frozen or fresh : 1/2 cup. Mawa is kind of evaporated milk. Condensed milk may be used too. For my vegan friends, you can skip this step or use almond meal.
Sugar : 1/4 cup or sugar substitute as per taste.
Cardamom powder : 1/2 tsp
Saffron : 10-15 strands soaked in milk
Assorted chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, cashews and raisins
Method :
Microwave the grated carrots on high for 5-6 minutes. If the carrots are extra juicy, then for more time. This step adds to the efficiency in the prep.
Heat ghee or oil in pan.
Add microwaved grated carrots to the ghee and sauté for 3-4 minutes on low medium flame.
Now add Mawa or almond meal at this point with cardamom powder, to the sautéed carrots. Sauté for 4-5 minutes.
Now add sugar and soaked saffron to the mixture along with some chopped nuts. Cook on low flame till sugar is fully absorbed and the pudding doesn’t look wet because of the added sugar. Keep stirring while cooking.
Take it off the stove. Serve in your beautiful bowls and enjoy it with more chopped nuts if desired. You will surely love it. It is nutty, it is carrots, it is bursting of cardamom and saffron aromas and it is melting in your mouth, warming up your hearts :). You may store it in the fridge after cooking it completely. Must be consumed under 1 week.
This looks very good, will have to try! Love the photos!
Thanks so much 🙂
This looks very good, will have to try! Love the photos!
Thanks so much 🙂
This was my pregnancy craving, used to get hubby to make it at 11.00pm sometimes lol
You have keeper there;)
This was my pregnancy craving, used to get hubby to make it at 11.00pm sometimes lol
You have keeper there;)
My all time favourite! I’m planning a guest post for Pavithra (Eat, Live, Burp) with my version of this dessert, next month! Great minds think alike, Sonal! 🙂
Will look forward to it 🙂
My all time favourite! I’m planning a guest post for Pavithra (Eat, Live, Burp) with my version of this dessert, next month! Great minds think alike, Sonal! 🙂
Will look forward to it 🙂
I am big fan of gajar halwa.. urs look delicious! and i love the idea of shot glasses!
🙂
I am big fan of gajar halwa.. urs look delicious! and i love the idea of shot glasses!
🙂
Superb Presentation. Yummy. Will try this diwali
Sure and let me know 🙂
Superb Presentation. Yummy. Will try this diwali
Sure and let me know 🙂
Lovely presentation! Have you tried carrots from your local organic farms? I find their color and taste richer than the supermarket ones.
I haven’t but now I will. Thanks for the pointer 🙂
Lovely presentation! Have you tried carrots from your local organic farms? I find their color and taste richer than the supermarket ones.
I haven’t but now I will. Thanks for the pointer 🙂
Sounds really delicious and the presentation looks great too. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds really delicious and the presentation looks great too. Thanks for sharing!
Just a wee little shot glass of Gajar Ka Halwa? ke se mere kya hoga? 🙁 I need a whole lot more of the yummy dessert! 🙂
Portion control Aruna, portion control ;). With Diwali approaching and then Halloween and thanksgiving here..followed by full month of holidays in December…. My Goodness….it has to be a wee little shot glass portion for me ;)…lol
🙁 🙁
Just a wee little shot glass of Gajar Ka Halwa? ke se mere kya hoga? 🙁 I need a whole lot more of the yummy dessert! 🙂
Portion control Aruna, portion control ;). With Diwali approaching and then Halloween and thanksgiving here..followed by full month of holidays in December…. My Goodness….it has to be a wee little shot glass portion for me ;)…lol
🙁 🙁
Sonal.. This gajar halwa has been on my mind and here you’ve made it! 🙂 love it!
;). Your palak Thelma’s inspired me To make palak multigrain rotis 🙂
Sonal.. This gajar halwa has been on my mind and here you’ve made it! 🙂 love it!
;). Your palak Thelma’s inspired me To make palak multigrain rotis 🙂
Love those cute little glasses…… Looks Yummy
Love those cute little glasses…… Looks Yummy