Homemade recipe for Gajar Ka Halwa

          Makki Madni Catering

Homemade recipe for Gajar Halwa, which is a delicious Pakistani dessert made from carrots, milk, sugar, and ghee (clarified butter). It's a popular treat, especially during festivals and special occasions. Here's a simple recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 1 kg (2.2 lbs) fresh carrots, grated
• 1 liter (4 cups) full-fat milk
• 1 cup sugar (adjust to your taste)
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, etc.)
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands (optional, but adds a nice flavor and color)

Instructions:

1. Wash, peel, and grate the carrots. You can use a grater or a food processor for this.
2. In a large, heavy-bottomed pan or a non-stick pot, add the grated carrots and the full-fat milk. Cook the mixture on medium to low heat, stirring occasionally. The milk will start to evaporate, and the carrots will cook in the milk.
3. Meanwhile, soak the saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk to release its flavor and color.
4. In a separate pan, heat the ghee and lightly sauté the chopped nuts and raisins until the nuts turn slightly golden and the raisins plump up. Keep them aside.
5. As the milk reduces and the carrots become soft and cooked, keep stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.
6. Once most of the milk has evaporated and the carrots are tender (this process can take about 30-40 minutes), add the sugar and mix well. The sugar will release some liquid, so continue cooking until that extra moisture evaporates, and the mixture thickens again.
7. Add the saffron milk, cardamom powder, and half of the sautéed nuts and raisins. Mix everything well.
8. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until the halwa reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.
9. Turn off the heat, and garnish the Gajar Halwa with the remaining sautéed nuts and raisins.

Your delicious homemade Gajar Halwa is ready to be served! It can be enjoyed warm or cold, and it tastes even better when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh cream. Enjoy!