Each one of us have our favorite dessert or may be variable lists of them but we all have had those random conversations where we have asked each other our favorites and judged a little “oh you like kaju katli is it even that sweet or roshogulla oh god syrupy doesn’t it feel too sweet? But whatever they may be it is all connected somewhere in small tiny moments of joy or the first sweet you were gifted or the warm sweet smell coming from your kitchen or isn’t just simple reason of loving sweets enough?
Gajar ka halwa for me is that-a true winter celebration, it is something I have had a consistent affair with not only with its taste but the entire process of making it. The realization that halwas are not hard to make but very well dependent on your patience and timing made me fall in love with not only its taste and smell but even the science behind it, the process going on in the pan is nothing but magic.
Starting from picking out red carrots available in season, these carrots contain more sugar compared to their orange counterpart, which are more starchy overall, followed by the most laborious task (tasks like these are often delegated to children usually, ask me had done them quite a few times) The caramelizing of carrot sugar while it’s roasted in ghee the breaking down of milk solids again caramelizing and giving it a nutty flavor followed by the sugar dissolving and rendering more sweetness but to be just right. Finally the cardamom powder heightens its aroma to all together another level and nut slivers deliver nothing short for an amazing visual appeal.
Each stage enhances the flavor, adds complexity, deepens the color and improving mouthfeel whereby bringing the dish together.
One must always have a sweet tooth because not only is it tasty, consuming sweets in low amount is even healthy they can make you feel energized when needed so and carrots are rich source of vitamin A which is fat soluble maintaining your eyesight and letting your body function as a well oiled machine.
Don’t overdo consuming sweet tough the health tip will not take long to move on to the unhealthier side. But yeah who cares if it is gajar ka halwa right?
Gajar no halwo (Carrot pudding)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Clarified butter
- 2 cup Carrot (shredded)
- 1 cup Milk
- 1/4 cup Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Cardamom powder
- 6-7 nos Cashews (split)
- 1 tbsp Almonds (slivered)
Instructions
- Heat and melt the clarified butter.
- Fry and remove chopped dry fruits from it.
- Roast the carrot on low flame for 10 minutes.
- Then add milk and let it completely amalgamate for more 7-8 minutes till you see the milk all dried and tiny specks of milk solids.
- Add sugar and cook till all the water dries up more 5-6 minutes.
- Then add cardamom powder, mix well and garnish with the roasted dry fruits.