February 22, 2013

Gajar Halwa / Carrot Halwa - Microwave method


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My mom had magic in her hands when she made gajar ka halwa. I try to make like her and have succeeded to a great extent.Amma always made carrot  halwa the traditional way where the carrots are cooked in milk until all the milk is absorbed and then simmered further with ghee and sugar . The traditional recipe is on my YouTube Channel and you can get the recipe here .

I customized the traditional recipe of slow cooking to make it in the microwave oven so that busy office goers or even bachelors can easily make it at home and enjoy the delicious halwa .
Taste wise I did not make out any difference between the two methods,just that the microwave method  gave me the Gajar Halwa quickly to please my Taste buds. 


Gajar halwa is mainly made in winters as the availability of Delhi carrots popularly known as Laal gajar or red carrots is abundant. But ,you can also make gajar halwa with the Ooty carrots or Orange carrots and they also taste yummy .In my home, Hubby is a fan on ooty carrot halwa while I relish both equally . I personally haven't found any stark differences between the two varieties of carrots used for preparing the halwa ,think its all personal preference and acquired taste.
I love to have warm gajar halwa with a scoop of vanilla icecream. This combination was introduced by my maternal grandpa who was a die hard sweet lover . Needless to say ,me being a fan of icecream as well as gajar halwa, this combo was a super hit with me .



This recipe was posted way back in 2013 on the occasion of V's birthday and after so many years it saw the light again today (13/1/2023) by way of which the photos and write up was updated for our fortnightly activity of Redoing Old posts ,an initiative by my fellow blogger Renu. This is the 92nd edition of Redoing old posts . I am hoping to be consistent with this activity so that many of my old posts get their desired face lift :-) 



Preparation Time : 15 mins
Cooking Time : 20-25 mins
Serves : 2-3

Ingredients
250 gms carrot grated
1 cup milk
2 cups sugar
3tbsp ghee
cardamom powder

For Garnishing

cashews - 4/5 pieces
almonds - 4/5 pieces
raisins  - 3/4 pieces
Unsalted pistachios 

Method
  • Peel and wash the carrots.
  • Grate them using a grater .Grate them just before you start making the halwa.
  • Take a microwave safe container,add the grated carrots,milk and cook in the oven for 15 mins.
  • After about  7-8 mins,take the container out of the oven,stir the mixture and place it back for the remaining time.
  • Once the carrots are cooked,add the ghee and sugar and place it again for another 10 mins.
  • Stir again, once after 5-6 mins and add the garnishing items and cardamom powder to the mixture and place it in the oven for balance time. 
  • After adding the sugar don't cook for a long time as there is a tendency for the halwa to turn hard and rubbery.  Incase due to oversight such a mishap happens,add some milk and mix well .This will help salvage the halwa .
  • The halwa starts leaving the sides of the container and you can see the ghee on top of the mixture. Yummy halwa is ready !!!
  • Serve hot or cold..Both taste yummy !

Note :
  • If the carrots are too juicy,squeeze out the juice with your hands before you put them for cooking.
  • In case you feel the carrots are not cooked in the first 15 mins,you can increase the time and check at intervals until the carrot is completely cooked. 

Serving Suggestions :

A scoop of vanilla ice cream with the halwa is an excellent combination.

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8 comments:

  1. wow wow ! some garam garm gajar halwa with ice cream is JUST what will drive these Monday blues away ! I love it with both carrots too, altho I feel delhi carrots just has that wee bit extra sweetness for the halwa - Kalyani

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  2. Lovely carrot halwa, love to have it with some ice cream. Like how you've prepared it in the microwave oven. Need to try it as then it allows me to tackle other jobs instead of stirring the carrot halwa on the stove.

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    Replies
    1. Precisely why i love the m/w version . We can multitask while the halwa gets done.

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  3. I love gajar halwa and thanks to your microwave recipe I can now make some fast without all the hard work involved or stirring. Will make your method before the season passes by and stop getting the Delhi gajar.

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    Replies
    1. Ya this version reduces a lot of stirring effort . Do try Archana

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  4. Carrot halwa is a tasty sweet dish and often make it the traditional way. I must try making it in the microwave, it will save so much of my time.

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