Gajrela or gajar ka halwa is a traditional carrot dessert commonly made in Pakistan on occasions like marriage or dawat and made usually during winter season. During winter when fresh, juicy red carrots can be found easily everywhere we Pakistani use to make so much recipes that involves carrots. halwai style shadion wala gajar ka halwa is a dish made on marriage ceremonies and has a unique taste. Usually gajrela is made by cooking grated carrots in milk for a long time till the milk is dried and then roasting the carrots in ghee. Shadiyon wala gajrela is different. I already shared the recipe of traditional gajrela or gajar halwa on my website. Also in some areas people use to make gajrela with carrots and rice and I shared that recipe of gajar kheer on my website as well. This recipe is totally different and very easy to cook. Even the biggners can easily make this carrot halwa. Do give it a try and enjoy appreciation of your family.
Wash and clean the carrots. Then grate these well.
Wash 2-3 times with clean water after grating, the extra color of carrots will be washed and the halwa will turn out pure red not in dark color.
Add all the grated carrots in a pot, let these cook on high flame.
When the carrots start leaving its juice, cover the pot till the water from carrots dried completely and they are cooked well. You may uncover the pot after a while when you see the carrots are cooked, just dry the carrot juice on high flame.
After this add sugar and constantly stir the halwa as the sugar can burn easily. Dry the sugar water as well.
Now add the oil in it and roast it well for 8-10 minutes.
Reduce the flame to low and add khoya in the halwa, cook well. With the heat the khoya will be melted so cook it till that time. Stir continuously so the halwa may not stick to the bottom of pan.
Add chopped nuts in the khoya, mix well.
Turn off the flame and keep the halwa aside.
______________ For garnishing________________
In a frying pan add khoya and let it melt on slow flame.
Take the halwa out in serving dish and spread this melted khoya on top of halwa as a layer.
Garnish with silver warq and chopped nuts.
Traditional Pakistani style shadiyon wala gajrela is ready to enjoy.
____________: Tips: Use the grater with some thickness as thinly grated carrots will be dissolved and will lose their shape.
I used cooking oil in the recipe as in authentic shadiyon wala gajar ka halwa chefs use cooking oil, ghee can be hardened in long duration of wedding ceremonies. But if you want you may use ghee as well.
I used unsweetened khoya in the recipe that's why i added good quantity of sugar. But if you are using sweet one you can easily reduce the quantity of sugar.
You may garnish the halwa with small ras gullah, also you can make 2-3 layers of halwa and khoya for garnishing.
