Thursday 25 June 2015

CARROT HALWA

CARROT HALWA


Edited: This post was featured at yum yum link party as most clicked link on 21-04-2016,
check here

I am delighted and eager to share this recipe on my blog, because of the story behind it.


When I started my blog in May 2014, I never thought I will reach a milestone within a short span of time, where someone will approach me and write about my blog, about myself and even publish my recipes in a magazine. To my big surprise in the month of January, “Airdrie Life Magazine” contacted me; they wanted to write a story on me with a live demo of two of my recipes that they will capture through a photo shoot of still pictures. They wanted to publish this under the heading “Life in the community” for their spring 2015 issue.


One of their writers, Lori Kuffner contacted me and we set a date to meet. At that time, I was overwhelmed and excited because this was the first time in my life that someone was going to write about me, my life and off course about my recipes in a magazine. That feeling was incredible, unbelievable and wonderful; I couldn't wait for that day. When she came over to interview me, she asked many questions about my life in general, in the comfort of my own house, in Airdrie. Here I would like to give thanks to Lori Kuffer for all her patience and support in listening to me and writing a story on my life, about my blog and recipes.


In my teaching career, my photo appeared many times with other staff members in our annual school magazine. Even my individual photo and my involvement in school co-curricular or departmental activities were also published many times in the school magazine. But school magazines go to limited people, students, parents, and their respective families. Here it was different, Airdrie Life magazine is a city magazine where they print twenty-eight thousand copies not only to cover Airdrie ( a small city near Calgary) residents but also cater for Calgary city’s northern areas where it is distributed at many points.


Before the photo shoot, I had mixed feelings, excited about a photo shoot by a professional print photographer, and nervous about what recipe to showcase during the photo shoot. Being a person of Indian origin, I was bound to cook something Indian to introduce my cuisine to the people of Airdrie/Calgary. I had to choose the recipe carefully, it had to be simple yet vibrant enough to be appreciated by Canadian from all walks of life; I had to also consider the ingredients and their ease of availability in the local areas here. Another important factor of consideration was whatever I choose should be a healthy recipe as these days people believe in healthy lifestyle and healthy food. After a lot of brainstorming, I concluded that I will make Carrot halwa and lentil crepe stuffed with shredded vegetables.

My story and two of my recipes were published in the Airdrie Life Magazine in their spring issue, at the end of April 2015. I would like to give my sincere thanks to the Editor of the magazine, who chose me as one of the members of the community on which to write, and to the photographer Mr.Sergei Belski (www.sergeibelski.com) for putting me at ease during the photo shoot and for allowing me to republish his work on my blog here. After the magazine publication was out, I was approached by many strangers in Calgary, saying they had seen me in a magazine, I felt almost celebrity like!



Note: -Rest of the story will continue in part two with the other recipe of lentil crepe in my next post, don’t forget to check it.


Coming to the recipe, this is a very nice and simple recipe with few ingredients. It is an all season favourite recipe of India, Carrot halwa which is a gourmet restaurant dish and is available in many Indian restaurants in India and abroad. It tastes very well when it is served hot but some people like it even cold, from the fridge. In India particularly in Delhi, during the winter season blood red coloured carrots are available; made with those red carrots this halwa looks wonderful and colourful.



I wonder why those red carrots are not available in other areas of the world and in other seasons in Delhi itself? A good question to research on.

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 lb grated carrots
  • 200 grams sugar (¾ cup)
  • 200 grams grated khoya (¾ cup) - Khoya is semi-solid form of milk)  OR  ½ tin condensed milk *(150 ml or 10 oz)
  • 2 tbs unsalted butter
  • 2 tbs sliced almonds
  • ½ tsp green cardamom or nutmeg powder
  • 3 tbs raisins

METHOD
  • Boil the grated carrots in a pressure cooker for one minute after the whistle. OR boil in a pot with little water for 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • In a wok or fry pan heat the butter on a medium flame, add carrots with sugar and stir properly, wait for the water from the sugar to evaporate.
  • Stir after every minute, it may take 8-10 minutes for the water to evaporate then add khoya/condensed milk*, mix well, stir for two more minutes.
  • Add cardamom powder, sliced almonds and raisins.
  • Decorate with some almonds and serve hot as a dessert.

*If using condensed milk, reduce heat and adjust sugar and it may take 5-10 minutes more to evaporate the water.



64 comments:

  1. congratulations and halwa looks super yummy

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  2. Congratulations..so happy for you ..Halwa looks super yummy

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  3. Oh my gosh! That looks so good and you are so adorable! Thanks for sharing on #FoodandFitnessFriday!

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  4. Wow, carrot halwa, all time fav...great dish..Happy visiting ur blog.. U have really great dishes and Happy blogging...

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  5. I love halvah! I have this on my menu right now and can't wait to make it - thank you so much for sharing! If you'd like, I'd love it if you're post this on the Awesome Life Friday Link Up. http://rchreviews.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks Lynda for visiting my blog, and for inviting me, I have joined Awesome Life Friday link.

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  6. Congratulations on the publication! I love carrot halwa, although I have made it using milk so boiling a lot longer to reduce it down. I must try this version too. as I am sure either way, the flavor is delicious! Thanks for sharing with FF.

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    1. Thanks Caroline for your nice comment, you can try this version, it is very easy.

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  7. I absolutely love this dish, a couple of years back i took 6 hours making it (literally, because i didn't boil the carrots)

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    1. Thanks Alok Try this recipe, it is very easy and faster.

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  8. Lovely and mouth melting sweet!!

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  9. I have never tried making halwa..these look so healthy and delicious!

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  10. This is my favorite post of yours yet, I LOVED this! Seeing an inside look into your cooking, and what an honor....although not surprised, you are so good at what you do, and your blog has come such a long way. Keep up the good work :) And be proud of you, we are! Oh, and thanks for linking up for meatless monday :)

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    1. Hi Tina, I am touched with your comment, so nice of you. Only good people can see something good in others. I have no words to give thanks to you.

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  11. Congratulations on the publication! What an accomplishment...I'm also quite excited as I never thought I would meet a fellow Albertan through Fiesta Friday! The carrot halva sounds delicious and wonderfully sweet.

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    1. Thanks very much for your lovely comment, Nice to meet you, where do you live in Alberta.

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  12. Wow! That is amazing! Off to check out your article on the website! Your carrot halva look lush, delicious! Thank you for sharing it with us #pintorials

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  13. Congratulations! What an honor-- you should be proud!
    The recipe looks perfect.
    Thanks for linking up with Meatless Monday!

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  14. Yum! Thank you for linking up at the Creative K Kids’ Tasty Tuesdays! I have pinned your post to our Tasty Tuesdays Pinterest Board! I hope to see you again next week! xo

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  15. Congratulations! How wonderful that you were featured like this - and what fantastic photographs, Sadhna! Your Carrot Halwa recipe sounds delicious too. I've shared your post on Stumble Upon and will pin and tweet too :-)

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    1. Thanks very much April, so nice of you to post on Stumble Upon and for pinning and tweeting.

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  16. I love carrots. This seems like a dish that I could make. Glad you were featured! Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week.

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    1. Thanks very much Sherry, I would love to join this week.

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  17. Hi Sadhna this Carrot Halwa sounds absolutely amazing, it's no wonder that you're being featured in these wonderful magazines! I'm so delighted to have you join us at What'd You Do This Weekend? I look forward to seeing you again next Monday!

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    1. Thanks very much Joy, yes I will join next week.

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    2. Hi Sadhna, just stopping back to let you know that this is one of my favorite posts from last week's party and will be one of my features at What'd You Do This Weekend? on Monday. I can't wait to give it a try, I think I may use Rainbow Carrots, which are a mix of red, orange, purple and yellow carrots :)

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    3. Thanks Joy for featuring my Carrot Halwa, I will check it on Monday, Wow this is good idea of using rainbow colour carrots, if they are available.

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  18. Thanks for sharing your carrot post on Fabulous Friday! Hope to see you this week again at my party.
    Thanks
    Maria

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  19. Great Post and recipe!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday - Link Party!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!

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  20. Your Carrot Halwa looks delicious, we will really enjoy this dish. Thanks so much for sharing this awesome recipe with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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    1. So nice of you, thanks very much Miz Helen. see you tomorrow.

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  21. I can imagine this is a delicious pudding as carrots are naturally quite sweet and often find their way into cakes! Thank you for a great #CreditCrunchMunch entry:-)

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  22. Mmmmm, this sounds delicious. I've only tried carrots in carrot cake before (as a sweet) and this sounds delicious and so unusual.

    Thanks for joining #FoodYearLinkup

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    1. Thanks Charlotte, you can try this carrot Halwa is very simple and tasty.

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  23. With delectable ingredients like these, I will be making this dish for friends and family quite often. Thank you so much for sharing this delicious Carrot Halwa recipe with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I'm pinning and sharing.

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for pinning and sharing.

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  24. Wow I'm intrigued by the condensed milk! I bet this works wonderfully with the carrot. As usual I would love to taste it! Congratulations on being featured in the magazine! Quite an acomplishment! Thanks for linking up to #frifree4all

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    1. thanks Haykey for visiting and reading the post and for your comment.

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  25. I've enjoyed carrot Halwa a couple of time with friends and it's absolutely delicious....and as you've shown so easy to make. Congratulations on being featured in a magazine, well deserved. #YumYum
    Angela x

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    1. Thanks Angela, for such a lovely comment dear and for your visit.

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  26. Congratulations! You deserve it! You work hard, your blog is amazing, and you are always giving us wonderful recipes!

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    1. Aww, so nice of you Sherry, thanks for your comment dear.

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  27. I love seeing these pictures of you. I think you chose a great recipe to share-different yet accessible. Congrats on your feature!

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  28. Congratulation Sadhna! I'm so thrilled and happy for you. This looks so delicious and I'm looking forward to making it for my husband and I.

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  29. WOW well done! you're recipe's are fantastic and it is great that you have been recognised! The photos are lovely too :)

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  30. So nice recipe, it looks like very delicious recipe.
    Thank You for sharing us.

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  31. Hi, friends in this post today I’m going to share the recipe of gajar ka halva. Carrot is many health benefits. It is a very tasty recipe of gajar ka halva. It is very tasty to eat and also easy to make. Gajar halwa

    Carrot halwa recipe|Gajar ka halwa|How to make carrot halwa|Gajar halwa|

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