Available in over 100 varieties, carrot is one of the vegetables that is easily assimilated by our body.
Carrots are rich in beta carotene - which gives the vegetable its intense colour; beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in our liver and vitamin A is important for our eye sight. Carrots are also good sources of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin K, biotin, fiber, potassium and thiamine. Of course, cooking carrots for a long time tend to get rid of a lot of the nutrients but surprisingly the beta carotene is pretty heat stable (that gives people like me more valid reason to not quit binging on carrot halwa I guess). But the best way to have it is either raw or steam it lightly. Carrot has strong cleansing properties that help in detoxifying the liver which in turn keeps our skin healthy. The presence of anti oxidants and carotenoids also makes it heart healthy and aids in anti aging. Apparently being fat-soluble, its nutrition is absorbed better with the presence of oil.
Carrots are rich in beta carotene - which gives the vegetable its intense colour; beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in our liver and vitamin A is important for our eye sight. Carrots are also good sources of vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin K, biotin, fiber, potassium and thiamine. Of course, cooking carrots for a long time tend to get rid of a lot of the nutrients but surprisingly the beta carotene is pretty heat stable (that gives people like me more valid reason to not quit binging on carrot halwa I guess). But the best way to have it is either raw or steam it lightly. Carrot has strong cleansing properties that help in detoxifying the liver which in turn keeps our skin healthy. The presence of anti oxidants and carotenoids also makes it heart healthy and aids in anti aging. Apparently being fat-soluble, its nutrition is absorbed better with the presence of oil.
As much as I love carrot halwa, the fact that I have to spend 'ages' stirring the ingredients in milk to make a halwa always deters me from actually making it. Recently I saw this show on Fox Traveller and they showed this amazingly simple way of making gajar ka halwa. So easy that lazy bums like me wouldn't mind making it every other day! Here in this recipe we are making instant khoya from Nido milk powder... It is very quick and equally delicious. So have a look and give it a try.
Carrot Halwa: Recipe
Ingredients:
- Medium size carrots grated - 5
- Brown sugar (you can use white sugar also) - 3 tbsp
- Nido milk powder - 3 tbsp
- Fresh milk - less than 1/4 cup
- Ghee - 3 tbsp
- Cardamom crushed - 6 to 8 pods
- Sliced almonds and pistachios for garnish
Method:
- Cook the grated carrot for 10 mins in the microwave.
- Melt ghee in a non stick pan. Add the half cooked grated carrot and stir for few seconds.
- Add the crushed cardomom and sugar and cook for few minutes. Meanwhile, to prepare the khoya, mix the milk powder with the milk (add enough to make it a thick liquid) and microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Add this khoya to the carrot and then keep cooking till the halwa reaches the right consistency (if you think its a bit watery you can sprinkle some milk powder to make it dry).
- Garnish with nuts and serve hot.
A simple, quick recipe - linking this to Any One Can Cook: Series 40, Color n Sweet-HOLI FEST by Preeti:
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Very colorful and very yummy halwa!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteVery healthy with betacarotene. Good for eyes!
Hi, thanx for your wonderful comments! Do try it and let me know :)
DeleteOne of the best Indian desserts, looks very delicious. Thank you for linking with Any One Can Cook :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Umm :)
Deleteawesome recipe....thanks for linking this recipe with my event
ReplyDeletehe classic dessert is back in greater form... looks perfect..!
ReplyDelete