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The other day I was craving so much for something sweet – something which reminds me of home, gives me the feeling of my mom by my side, gets done with minimum work and effort yet delectable enough to get lost in its senses! That’s a huge order isn’t it? Then BINGO!!!!! Carrot Halwa – a.k.a Gajar Ka Halwa or for more broader understanding Indian Carrot pudding. What? You haven’t heard of it? You have not tasted it yet? You must be kidding me!! Go Go now – Take a skillet and make them now – its worth moving every small muscle including your tongue :)

My mom makes one of the best carrot halwa ( and so do a billion other mothers! Moms are such – especial!) and more so the fact that she used to make them specifically for an occasion – Birthday? No, Wedding Anniversary? – Naaaaaah! mmmmm? Did you say Festivals? Nope – Our festivals have South Indian sweets. Then whats the occasion you ask? You wouldn’t guess it at all – She made it every last day of my exams – be it stupid unit tests, Term exams or the main annual examinations! yeah I know what you are thinking – “This girl must have been a total hardworking girl who aced her exams so much so that her mom made it even before the results”!! hehehe jokes on you! My marks, my performance or my so called “hard work” had nothing to do with it. She was just happy that I was happy that my exams were over ( or she had some other secret “at last relief from bickering” reasons – I dunno. But I got this favorite without fail.

So after making the halwa, one spoon in hand and mom’s photo in another, I spent some good quality minutes with her in my thoughts –aaah those days! While I get lost in nostalgic thoughts, check out my mom’s recipe ( tweaked by me)

    Ingredients

  • 2 cups carrot, grated
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 tbsp Pistachio, chopped ( optional)
  • 1/2 cup ghee [ dont gawk!!! You absolutely need this for that heavenly reason!!! Ok if you really need to cut it down to few tbsp :'( ]
  • 1 cup sugar [ stop smirking! You are really taking the fun out of eating this by looking at me with raised eyebrows! Use 50-50 sugar and splenda!!!! ]
  • 1 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1 tbsp broken cashews, toasted

Method

1.Heat a non stick pan, heat the ghee and then add the carrots, saute till the raw smell of the carrots is replaced by distinct aroma.

2.Then add both the milk and cook for another 10min or until the milk is almost absorbed.

3.Add sugar and cardamom and cook further till it all comes to a single mass.

4. Now garnish this with the pistachios if using and cashews and let the taste buds take over. You can also use raisins for this recipe although I personally like this as it is.

1) Off this goes to EC for her WYF Event with Food colour as the theme. I love orange color in foods – thanks to this recipe specially.

2)To Dhanggit maiden Event with Party dishes as the theme. This bowlful of halwa would win over even the most fussiest of kids – not to say about adults.

3)To Pooja for her Independance Day theme with 3 colors of Indian flag – this is my interpretation of the Orange (carrot), White(cashews/plate) and the Green(pistas) colors.

4)To Sunita’s TS event which is celebrating 1 yr anniversary with think favourite theme.. For me Cardamom is indispensable in my kitchen. Starting from morning tea to savoury and sweet dishes, it finds its way in almost everything I cook helping to enhance a simple dish with its presence. That being said, Carrot halwa finds its way to TC event.

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And here are some more...

Moong Dal Halwa
Badam Ka Halwa (Indian Almond Fudge)
Eggless Carrot Cupcakes
Creamy Carrot Soup
Kheer/Pal Payasam (Indian Rice Pudding)
Sakkarai (Chakkarai) Pongal
23 Responses to “Carrot Halwa ( Gajar Ka Halwa )”
  1. megna

    That is a great story! I always read the tale behind your recipe’s first and then look at the ingredients!. My mum used to make it for my birthday every year and even till today-when I am in the US :)

  2. Rathnam

    Hi DK,
    I want to make this for a party (40 people).Can you please suggest how many pounds of carrots I need. Thanks in advance

    I think depending on how much each person enjoys, you will need anywhere between 10-14 pounds of carrots. I hope this helps. I havent really cooked for so many ppl yet hence cant be perfectly sure –DK

  3. Hi,

    Please someone tell me what is evaporated milk?…or do u get it in shops (if so what is it called?)

  4. Hetal

    Hi! I actually tried this recipe and it turned out really great!!! I might reduce the sugar next time to 3/4 cup, but otw it was awesome!!!! It did not take too long to make either. Thanks for the recipe!!

  5. Sheuli

    Hi, Good recipe. I’ve a microwave and fatfree version of the same recipe at http://sheulimarkets.wordpress.com

    Kindly send me your review for the same.

  6. Anonymous

    nice recipe!
    can anyone tell me how to make evaporated milk? or where can i get it?

  7. easycrafts

    Tempting halwa dear…an anytime dessert for me.thanks for participating

  8. pickyeater

    I would love to try this. Never had carrot halvah. Are you from the Gulf because you spell carrot in Arabic the way they say it.

  9. Curry Leaf

    Absolutely delicious

  10. Uma

    aha, this is one delicious carrot halwa. Who cares about amount of ghee or sugar if you make it this yummy. Beautiful presentation.

  11. Vanamala
  12. Divya Vikram

    Looks divine Dhiv!!

  13. Meeta

    This looks absolutely lovely. I love gajar ka halwa (have a recipe on my blog too) and could easily eat kilos of the stuff!

  14. SMN

    looks very yummy one of my top fav this is ……..

  15. sunita

    Yup, Mom’s recipes are the best!

    Thanks Dk, for this lovely entry :-)

  16. Priti

    The picture looking so yummy and tempting on top of it your running commentary ! Why do you have torture all of us here like this with such wonderful halwa!! Halwa looking just awesome..love your presentation and very good entry for all the events ;) …and ya I too make carrot halaw just the same way…everything same (I shall not say anything abt ghee & sugar now)

  17. Dhanggit

    Mothers indeed concoct the best recipes! This indian carrot pudding sounds delectable!! thanks for this delicious entry!!

  18. Srivalli

    girl you are making me sick with passion for that bowl!!!..what a neat presentation dhivi, it looks sooo yum!..carrot halwa needs nothing but mom’s love…love to know the reason for your mom’s making this..maybe she used to do cos you do your exams well waiting for the halwa to come!!!..:)

  19. Nags

    that looks lovely!! i always have carrot halwa with ice cream, somehow cant have it on its own, tends to get too sweet :)

  20. Maheswari

    Halwa looks YUM! One of my most fav halwa.Still remember making it for in laws for the first time.Got too excited and ended making too much and stirring for hours..:D

  21. Pooja

    Love the Last pic tooooooooo much D :) .
    thanks you for this wonderful dish as an entry for I-Day .
    Mom are really sooo special always…..

  22. Simran

    Looks lovely! I thought of making it once, but it’s never going to be as good as mom’s so what’s the point :)

  23. notyet100

    this looks so yumnd nice colour too..:-)

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