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Gajar Halwa, step by step on video
See how the carrots are sautéed in ghee, pressure cooked for two whistles and cooked down with milk and sugar.
7:03 · Recipe video · Cooking with Siddhi
Gajar ka halwa is also known as carrot pudding or gajrela. It is a popular sweet made in North India during winters.
In this recipe the grated carrots are sautéed in ghee with dry fruits and cardamom, cooked in a pressure cooker for two whistles, then cooked down with full fat milk and sugar until the ghee starts to appear on the sides.
Every recipe on Cooking with Siddhi is cooked in my own kitchen before it goes live.
Why you will love this gajar halwa
- Winter favourite: the classic North Indian carrot sweet.
- Pressure cooker: two whistles soften the carrots.
- Six ingredients: carrots, milk, sugar, dry fruits, ghee and cardamom.
- Served piping hot: straight from the pan.
Ingredient notes
- Carrots: 1 kg, grated.
- Milk: 1 cup full fat milk, boiled.
- Ghee: 1/4 cup clarified butter.
- Cardamom: 1/2 tsp, coarsely crushed.
Gajar Halwa Recipe
Gajar halwa made in a pressure cooker: grated carrots sautéed in ghee with dry fruits and cardamom, cooked for two whistles, then cooked down with milk and sugar.
Ingredients
- 1 kg carrots, grated
- 1 cup full fat milk, boiled
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup mixed dry fruits
- 1/4 cup clarified butter (ghee)
- 1/2 tsp cardamom, coarsely crushed
- 1/3 cup water
Instructions
- Heat the ghee. Heat the pressure cooker and add the clarified butter.
- Roast the dry fruits. Once the ghee is hot, add the mixed dry fruits and roast for 10 to 15 seconds.
- Add the carrots. Add the cardamom powder and the grated carrots. On a medium flame, mix all the ingredients well and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add water. Pour in 1/3 cup of water and stir again on a full flame.
- Pressure cook. Close the lid of the cooker and cook until you hear two whistles. Turn off the flame and set it aside to cool down.
- Boil. Remove the lid, turn on the flame and bring the contents of the cooker to a boil.
- Add milk and sugar. Add the sugar and milk and mix well. Let it boil well and stir continuously so it does not stick to the bottom.
- Cook down. Once the moisture evaporates and the ghee starts to appear on the sides, the halwa is cooked. If there is still moisture left, continue cooking.
- Serve. Take the halwa out into a serving dish and serve it piping hot.
Nutrition Facts
3 servings per recipe
Serving size1 serving (1/3 recipe)
| Nutrient | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Total Fat 24 g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat 11 g | 55% |
| Cholesterol 47 mg | 16% |
| Sodium 266 mg | 12% |
| Total Carbohydrate 61 g | 22% |
| Dietary Fibre 11 g | 39% |
| Total Sugars 43 g | |
| Protein 8 g | |
| Vitamin A 55818 IU | |
| Vitamin C 20 mg | 22% |
| Calcium 233 mg | 18% |
| Iron 1 mg | 6% |
| Potassium 1258 mg | 27% |
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in one serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Values are approximate and calculated from the ingredients listed. The actual amounts depend on the brands you use.
Recipe by Siddhi Panchal.
Tips for gajar halwa
- Roast the dry fruits in the hot ghee for just 10 to 15 seconds.
- Let the cooker cool down before you open it.
- Stir continuously once the milk goes in, so the halwa does not stick to the bottom.
- The halwa is done when the moisture has evaporated and ghee appears on the sides.
What to serve with Gajar Halwa
Serve the gajar halwa piping hot. For more Indian sweets, try my Rice Kheer, Makhane ki Kheer and Mawa Gujiya.
Gajar Halwa FAQs
What is gajar halwa also called?
Gajar ka halwa is also known as carrot pudding or gajrela.
How many whistles do the carrots need?
Two whistles. Turn off the flame and let the cooker cool down before opening it.
How do I know the halwa is cooked?
Once the moisture evaporates and the ghee starts to appear on the sides, it is cooked. If there is still moisture left, keep cooking.
Which milk should I use?
1 cup of full fat milk, boiled.
How should gajar halwa be served?
Take it out into a serving dish and serve it piping hot.
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