How to make gajar ka halva

Making Gajar ka Halwa, also known as Carrot Halwa, is a delightful process that fills your kitchen with wonderful aromas. Here's a simple recipe to guide you through:A warm bowl of Gajar ka Halwa brings in more than the tiding memories of taste and flavors of this sweet, cardamom flavored confection. It is a wave emotions of a mother daughter relation, and close binding times which might have felt to be just a part of the chore in a day then, but feels very different now.

All I feel like doing right now is putting  those perfect moments in writing; simple things, but not there anymore – times of laughter, as I picked through the shredded carrots, stuffing some juicy fistfuls in my mouth and talked with ma of this and that. We took turns shredding and grating the carrots, ma and me.

Ingredients:

- 500 grams of carrots (about 4-5 medium-sized carrots)

- 500 ml of full-fat milk

- 1/2 cup of sugar (you can adjust according to your taste)

- 2 tablespoons of ghee (clarified butter)

- 4-5 green cardamom pods, crushed (optional)

- A handful of chopped nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios

- A pinch of saffron strands (optional)

- 1 tablespoon of raisins (optional)

Instructions:\

1. Wash and peel the carrots. Grate them finely using a grater or a food processor.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadhai, heat the ghee on medium heat. Add the grated carrots and sauté them for about 5 minutes. Keep stirring continuously.

3. After 5 minutes, add the milk to the pan. Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to low-medium. Let the carrots cook in the milk until they become soft and the milk thickens. This will take around 30-40 minutes. Keep stirring frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

4. Once the carrots are cooked and the milk has reduced to about half, add the sugar and crushed cardamom pods. Mix well and continue to cook until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture thickens further. This will take another 10-15 minutes.

5. If using saffron, soak the saffron strands in 1 tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes. Then add this saffron-infused milk to the halwa. This will give a nice color and flavor to the halwa.

6. Add the chopped nuts and raisins (if using) to the halwa. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes.

7. Once the halwa reaches the desired consistency and the ghee starts separating from the sides, turn off the heat.

8. Garnish the Gajar ka Halwa with some more chopped nuts and serve it warm or cold, as per your preference.

Enjoy your homemade Gajar ka Halwa!

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•  HOW TO MAKE MOONG DAAL KA HALWA https://palaksiii.blogspot.com/2024/05/how-to-make-moong-daal-ka-halwa.html

HOW TO MAKE MOONG DAAL KA HALWA

Making moong dal ka halwa is a delightful process, and I'd love to guide you through it! Since I can't provide pictures directly, I can offer step-by-step instructions, and you can use those to guide your cooking adventure. Let's get started:

Ingredients:

- 1 cup split yellow moong dal (skinned and split mung beans)

- 1 cup sugar

- 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)

- 4 cups water

- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder

- A few saffron strands (optional)

- Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Wash the moong dal thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Then, soak it in enough water for at least 4 hours or overnight.

2. Drain and Grind: After soaking, drain the water from the dal. Grind the soaked moong dal into a coarse paste using very little water. The consistency should be slightly coarse, not too fine.

3. Boil Water: In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

 

4. Cook Moong Dal: Once the water boils, add the ground moong dal paste to it. Stir continuously to avoid any lumps. Cook the dal until it absorbs all the water and becomes thick. It should take about 10-15 minutes on medium heat.

5. Add Sugar: Add sugar to the cooked moong dal mixture. Mix well until the sugar dissolves completely.

6. Add Ghee: In a separate pan, heat ghee. Once the ghee is hot, add it to the moong dal mixture. Be cautious as it might splutter.

7. Cook Further: Stir continuously and cook the mixture on low to medium heat until it thickens and starts leaving the sides of the pan. This will take around 15-20 minutes.

8. Add Flavorings: Add cardamom powder and saffron strands (if using). Mix well to incorporate the flavors.

9. Garnish: Turn off the heat and garnish the halwa with chopped nuts of your choice. Mix well.

10. Serve: Delicious moong dal ka halwa is ready to be served. Serve it hot or warm as a dessert or a sweet treat.

Enjoy your homemade moong dal ka halwa! If you need further clarification on any step, feel free to ask.

Opinions about moong dal ka halwa can vary widely depending on personal taste preferences and the particular recipe used. However, here are some common views people might have after tasting it:

1. Rich and Indulgent: Many people find moong dal ka halwa to be rich and indulgent due to its key ingredients like ghee and sugar. The creamy texture and buttery flavor can be quite satisfying.

2. Unique Flavor: Some may appreciate the unique flavor profile of moong dal ka halwa. The nuttiness of the moong dal combined with the sweetness of sugar and the aroma of cardamom creates a distinct taste experience.

3. Comforting and Warm: Halwa, in general, is often associated with comfort food, and moong dal ka halwa is no exception. Its warm and comforting qualities make it a popular choice, especially during the colder months or for special occasions.

4. Heavy Dessert: Due to its richness, moong dal ka halwa can be quite heavy on the palate. Some people may find it too dense or filling, especially if consumed in large quantities.

5. Acquired Taste: For those who are not familiar with Indian sweets or the combination of ingredients used in moong dal ka halwa, it may be an acquired taste. However, many find themselves pleasantly surprised after trying it.

6. Texture Appreciation: The texture of moong dal ka halwa is unique, with a slightly grainy yet smooth consistency. Some people enjoy this texture variation compared to other desserts.

Overall, while opinions may differ, moong dal ka halwa is widely regarded as a delicious and comforting dessert in Indian cuisine, appreciated for its richness, flavor, and texture.