Gajar Ka Halwa or Carrot Pudding (Indian Style )(Without Using Khoya and Condensed Milk )

Gajar halwa or carrot halwa is very popular Indian  dessert. It is prepared by using simple  ingredients, easily available  at home . Grated carrot ,milk, sugar,dry fruits and ghee or clarified butter are the main ingredients .It is traditionally eaten across India for all the festival celebrations like Diwali, Sankranti, Holi, Raksa bandhan,Eid al Fitr and  many  more  and for family celebrations as well. It is also prepared in the winter using red,juicy and tender carrots.  There could be nothing more perfect than a bowl of warm carrot  or gajar halwa on a cold day during Winter.

I should  share the story behind this gajar ke halwa. Last Sunday afternoon, I was sleeping, after  woke up I saw a full bowl of gajar or carrot halwa on dining  table..the main chef of this dish was my hubby Utpal and assistant chef was my 7 years old daughter Ishika...

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Author - Moumita 
Preparation Time - 10 Minutes 
Cooking Time - 20 Minutes 
Recipe Category - Indian Dessert 
Servings - 4
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Ingredients 
4 medium carrots-yields approx 2 -2.5 cups grated carrot

1+1 tablespoons ghee or clarified butter 

4 green cardamom pods-take out the seeds and crushed

2 cups whole milk

3/4 cup sugar(if required, add more )

1/4 cup raisins

10 cashew nuts

Pinch saffron threads

1/4 cup  pistachio  and almonds ,  soaked, peeled and chopped


Method
Rinse and peel the carrots. Grate the carrots coarsely using a cheese grater. Heat 1 tablespoon  ghee  in a heavy bottomed pan or non -stick . fry the raisins on low heat until they puff up. Remove and keep it aside. In the same pan, fry cashew nuts until golden brown.Remove from pan.Add 1 tablespoon  ghee and fry the grated carrots on low flamen,stirring continuously for 3-4 minutes.

 Add the crushed cardamom seeds and stir for about 30 seconds.Add the grated carrots to the pan and fry for about 3 minutes.


Add the milk and bring it up to the boil.When the milk will start boiling,simmer the gas,stirring constantly . 


When the milk has 3/4 th reduced ,add sugar,  cashew ,raisins, and saffron to the pan and stir. 


Stirring continuously , for until all the milk is evaporated  and  the halwa   is thick and glossy.


Remove it in a bowl and set it aside. Garnish with chopped almonds and pistachio and serve hot.If you prefer  you can have it cold also.

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