How To Make Gajar Ka Halwa in A Pressure Cooker
Image Credit: Gajar Ka Halwa | Image Credit: Adobe Stock

What is Gajar Ka Halwa? 

Gajar is a Hindi word for Carrots, and Halwa is an Arabic word for sweet. Gajar Ka Halwa, or gajrela, gajar pak, or carrot halwa, is a carrot-based sweet pudding made using grated vegetables sauteed in ghee or butter, mixing it with water, milk, sugar, aromatic spices like cardamom and garnishing it with dry fruits. 

The halwa can be made traditionally in a wok, but the process is quite complex as we must ensure we constantly stir the gajrela to ensure it doesn't burn or stick to the bottom, and they must do the same until the milk thickens. This usually takes a lot of time and is done only with a few whistles in a pressure cooker.

How To Make Gajar Ka Halwa In A Pressure Cooker?

Gajar Ka Halwa is traditionally made by mixing sauteed carrots in milk and stirring it until the mixture becomes thick. It is not only a time-consuming way as it takes between 1 – 2 hours to cook, but it also requires constant stirring, which can be a daunting task for many. In this blog, we will ensure we replicate the dish in a pressure cooker and still provide the taste and aroma to stay the same, and the experience is not compromised.  

Ingredients 

  • Carrot: 1kg
  • Mava (Khoya): 1 Cup 
  • Milk: 2 Cup
  • Almonds: 8-10
  • Cashew: 8-10
  • Pistachios: 8-10
  • Cardamom Powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter)/ Butter – ½ - 1 Cup
  • Sugar – 1 cup (as per taste)

Preparation 

  • Wash 1kg of carrots with tap water and let them dry. Chop the top and tip of the juicy vegetable. 
  • Peel the carrots to get rid of the outer part or any attached roots. 
  • Gently scrub the gajars with a chopper/grater to get finely grated carrots. If you are using a food processor, you can use the shredding disc. Please remember that you do not use a blender to grind the carrots. 
  • Slice the pistachios and cut the almonds and cashews into small pieces. The size of the pieces can depend on how you like them on your plate. 
  • Deep Fry or gently sauté almonds and cashews and keep them aside.

Method

ASIN ID - B08RWMJ1SW  

  • Put the pressure cooker on low flame and preheat it to a moderate temperature. Add 1 cup of ghee and heat the ghee in the cooker. This would give the dessert a beautiful aroma and leaves an aftertaste that your palate would enjoy when you eat. 
  • Add the carrots and let them cook for 3-5 minutes. Make sure you constantly stir it so the entire lot can be coated with ghee, and let the carrots absorb the taste. This would also make sure the entire lot receives proper heat. 
  • Add 2 cups of milk and mix it well. Heat it for another 1-2 minutes. 
  • Close the pressure cooker lid and let it sit for around 2-3 whistles. Ensure the lid is closed correctly and no heat is escaping from the cooker. 
  • After two whistles, turn off the gas and let the cooker sit until all the steam has escaped. This would help the carrots to cook properly with the steam in the appliance. Once you are sure the steam has been released, open the lid. 
  • Next, on high flame, add mava/khoya or condensed milk and mix well. Add sugar as per your taste buds and stir it well for another 10-15 minutes so that it helps the sugar and mava to mix properly and allow the milk to evaporate so that the halwa can thicken. 
  • After 10-15 minutes, the mixture would reduce, and you could already start smelling the rich aroma. Also, by this time, you would be getting impatient to taste your beautiful creation. 
  • Add cardamom powder and cashews, almonds, and pistachios to the mixture. Keep some aside for the garnish. 
  • Now simmer the flame and let it cook for another 5 minutes so that the ingredients you have just added can release their flavour and the halwa can enhance its taste. 
  • Turn off the gas. Your Gajar Ka Halwa is ready. 

Serving


  • Transfer the hot gajar ka halwa to a serving bowl. 
  • Add some leftover almonds and cashews and use them to garnish the halwa. 
  • Serve after lunch and dinner while it's still hot. 
  • Tips for cooking gajar ka halwa in a pressure cooker
  • It is recommended that while shopping for carrots, you pick red carrots as they are juicier and naturally sweet, which only adds to the flavors.
  • Full Cream milk has proven to enhance the richness compared to other forms of dairy liquid.
  • For those health-conscious people, sugar can be substituted with Jaggery Powder, butter can be used instead of ghee, and for those who have an extra sweet tooth, they can use condensed milk instead of Maya or Khoya.
  • If you prefer vegan food or are lactose intolerant, then you can use full-fat coconut milk instead of normal milk and coconut oil in place of ghee, but these substitutes would not taste as good as the original recipe.

So, this is how you make gajar ka halwa in a pressure cooker. If you have tried the recipe and enjoyed it, then don’t forget to share it with friends and family, and do let us know if you enjoyed it. 

Happy Cooking, and Enjoy!