Healthy Gajar Halwa (V)
Fun fact - this recipe is my origin story (clearly been watching far too many Marvel movies)! This was the very first Indian-inspired baby food recipe I created for my daughter. I remember putting pen to paper (literally!) - no blog... it was just the beginning. My little ones enthusiasm for this baby-friendly gajar halwa recipe (big smiles and head leaning toward the spoon because she couldn't get the food quick enough), is what gave me the confidence to start my journey into this crazy mummy blogging and weaning world.
You may be thinking why start a baby's weaning journey with what is essentially a pudding! Well carrots are nutrient-dense sweet root vegetables which are excellent for weaning babies. A great first food for babies, paired with a little cardamom and cinnamon - these little baby-friendly extras enhance the taste of plain carrots which my little one's palate had already been exposed to. And better yet - it was exposing my little one to her first taste of my culinary heritage. Adapted to be healthy and nutritious, unlike a 'traditional' gajar halwa recipe, this one is naturally sweet and bursting with antioxidant vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) required for healthy skin, eyes. Suitable from 7+ months after first tastes have been accepted.
For adults this is great too - serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Recipe is taken from my Easy Indian Super Meals weaning and family cookbook.
Makes 3-4 servings
Total preparation and cooking time: 20 mins.
Suitable for freezing.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee
- 2 medium carrots – peeled, washed, grated (in food processor)
- 150ml (5fl oz) of whole milk
- Pinch of ground cardamom - green
- Pinch of ground cinnamon
- 15g (½ oz) raisins – soaked in warm water (5mins), drained
Method
Melt the butter or ghee in a pot, add the carrots and stir-fry for 5mins.
Pour in the milk and add the cardamom, cinnamon and raisins. Bring to the boil gradually on a low heat; this will take 5-10mins. Simmer (uncovered) for 15mins, stirring occasionally until the mixture begins to thicken.
Once all of the milk has been absorbed, remove from the heat. Serve to baby warm.
