Sugar Free Dessert Challenge- Gajar Halwa Delight

Being an Indori, food has always remained my weakness and when it is some sweet dish it is really hard to control.

Life has become monotonous after joining my IT job. Apart from my job if something is interesting then I can say it’s just Blogging which has made my life alive & happening. “Software Engineer by Profession and Blogger by Passion” is what my Identity. I reveal my identity with full pride & honour. So here I am going to blog about the lip smacking  recipe of Gajar Halwa.

My mother is a great cook, her cooking style, her knowledge of ingredients can leave thousands of chefs craving to get the recipes of her dishes. Since my childhood I have seen her cooking various desserts for me and from those desserts “Gajar Halwa” is one of my favourite.

My mom is a diabetic patient but she loves to eat desserts. When I heard about “Sugar Free Natura” firstly my mom came in my mind and I decided to treat her.

Now I shall discuss my recipe & experience of “Sugar Free Dessert Challenge” which I successfully completed & delighted my mom.

Ingredients:

1) Carrot

2) Dry-Fruits

3) Ghee

4) Sugar Free Natura

5) A pinch of Cardamom Powder

Procedure:

Ø  Firstly clean and peel the carrots properly. After that grate the carrots either with a hand held grater or in a food processor. Put 3 tablespoons of ghee in the Kadai.

Ø  Add all of the grated carrots in a Kadai and cook it for few minutes (5-7 minutes, on low flame).

Ø  Pour 4 cups of milk into the Kadai.

Ø  Stir the grated carrots and milk at a high flame for 10 minutes.

Ø  Later cook this mixture on a low to medium flame till the time milk starts reducing slowly and slowly.

Ø  Keep on stirring the halwa and keep scraping the sides of the Kadai to remove the evaporated milk solids.

Ø  The mixture should reduce by at least one third in approx 2 hours.

Ø  Then add “Sugar Free Natura” alternative for sugar (For Diabetic or Dieting people).

Ø  Lastly add the cardamom powder; stir and continue to simmer on a low flame till the halwa is thick and glossy.

Now your Gajar Halwa is almost ready and you can decorate it with dry-fruits and it’s ready to be served.

This is how I made my Gajar Halwa with the help of Sugar Free Natura.

My mom was really happy to see me cook and put so much efforts in doing something special for her. She loved  the taste of halwa even when there was no sugar, thanks to Sugar free Natura.

Watch an awesome video from Sugar Free Natura

My Favourite Dish

Being an Indori I am always crazy for food as Indore is a place where you get all sort of vegetarian dishes at one place. Though I am foodie but I always prefer my mom’s kitchen and I believe everyone likes their mom’s food and that can’t compete to any 5 star hotels.

I am a Marwari and I love to eat sweet dishes and typical Marwari food. There are numerous dishes like Dal Bati, Bhindi Curry, Curd Curry, Butter Aloo Paratha, Bottle Guard Curry and Besan Laddos which exist in my favourite food list.

Whenever my mom used to cook any of my favourite dishes I always used to help her and provide her all possible ingredients which I can provide to her to make her dishes tastier.  

Being an online user I always checkout what special discounts or offers are available in the online market so that I can save my money and can avail those best offers. Once upon a time when I was using my facebook from my friend I came to know about 27Coupons.com which were providing brilliant discounts and offers on Groceries from BigBasket.com online stores.

Credit

My mom was cooking Dal-Bati for me so I informed her about the same but she didn’t believe though she suggested and told me that “If it is true then you should buy; I will be happy”, Yes, I came to know her wish that she wants it and I used Coupons of 27Coupons.com for the first time. I bought Green Vegetables, Fruits, Dals & Pulses, Dry fruits and Curd. I placed the orders and got great discounts on my purchasing. The products and goods qualities were just like my expectations. My mom’s smile made my day and I had Dal-Bati which she cooked especially for me.

Apart from Desi food I always like to try some new food taste if it is healthy and tasty. When you talk about food then MacDonald’s and Dominos can’t be stay aloof for longer time. Hardly there is any person who doesn’t like their taste and I am definitely not that exception.

After exploring good discounts on groceries I became daily user of 27Coupons.com. Whenever my girlfriend used to come to spend her weekends at my place then I always used to order from MacDonald’s and Dominos by using coupons of 27Coupons.com in order to save more money and she is crazy for Italian food and burger.

Credit

Due to such a great money saving coupons of 27Coupons.com I saved a huge amount of money which I used to spend on my food with my girlfriend.

27Coupons.com is a great combination of travelling, eating and shopping. You can avail all sorts of facilities at great discounts from your all favorite online stores. Not only that you can also explore daily deals from their website.

I would surely love to suggest such an awesome online platform to my readers as it is from my personal experience. 27Coupons.com made my mom happy and saved my girlfriend food expenses as well. So if you are still buying products without any discount then visit 27Coupons.com and enjoy you money saving dhamaka.                  

Indori famous street food destination, Sarafa - A PhotoWalk

Indore the heart and commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh is famous for its food items and the love for food.
If we talk about foodies in India, Indoris are going to be placed at the top of the list.

The variety and taste of Indori cuisines is famous all over India.
One of the most famous destination of food lovers in Indore is "Sarafa".

I just love the place like any foodie will do.
Here are some the famous food items whose quality of taste you won't get anywhere in India.

Rabri and Gajar Halwa Mix
This is a killer combo. All the sweet lovers so try this at least once.
Your taste buds will have an experience of lifetime.

GaraduThis is a very famous indigenous dish of Indore which you will mainly get in Winters.
Garadu chat is the name by which it is sold.
For all the spicy lovers this is one thing that you should try if you happen to visit Indore in Winters.

Dahi Bada
You will get the yummiest Dahi Badas of India at Joshi Dahi Bada House.
It is a very old shop in Sarafa where people come from all over Indore to taste the unique Dahi Badas prepared here.

Bhutte Ka Kiss
Bhutte ka kiss is another famous dish of winter which we get in Sarafa.
This mouth watering specialty of Indore is a must try whenever whenever you visit this place.

Imarti or Jalebi
Another specialty of Indore which come in a combo is Poha and Imarti or Jalebi.
The taste and size of Jalebi that you get in Indore specially in Sarafa is difficult to find all over India.

This post is part of the theme
Indore - The heart of Central India where a series of posts will be dedicated to the 14th largest city of India - Indore, the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh.

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Check other posts of the series -:

post- I 
post - II 

post - III

post - iv

Will you be my valentine ?

A video dedicated to the most special girl in my life.
A foodie way to ask her the most important question - Will you be my Valentine ?

Thanks a lot Closeup for providing me the platform.
Every challenge listed under the Cupid Games 2015 is really amazing.
Check out my video on the official site.

5 things that bring me back to life when I am dead...

Some years back life was like a Sine curve with even ups and downs at equal intervals but today the curve is no more the same, it has become unstable. You can get 3 ups in a row followed by 4 consecutive downs.
In this times there should be someone, something or someplace which boost you up, bring you back from hibernation and make you live in this world and not just exist.
Also in today's world monotonous has become a synonym of life. Boss or Client yelling in office and your partner yelling at home has become fixed part of the schedule.
Lack of Time is one of the main reason behind this monotonousness specially in cities like Mumbai where half of your time goes in travelling and you don't have even a drop of energy left after reaching home.
What if there is a magic wand which takes away all your worries, tensions, anger, frustrations and give you that bliss of life. Well there is no such magic wand for me but yeah certainly there are 5 things which are also available and can bring me back to life any moment

1. Yummy food
    The way to man's heart is through his stomach is a very famous saying and holds 100% true in my case.
    Dal Batti, Gajar ka halwa, Puran poli, Bhutte ka kees, Gulab Jamun, Rabdi, Kheer, Aloo da Paratha and
    Curd, Bajre ka Khichda and Kadhi and the list is endless.
    After a hectic and tiring day when your favorite cuisine or dish is served on the table, it lightens your mood
    and triggers a fresh beam of energy in your body.

2. Coins
    These beautifully carved historic pieces of mint defines the evolution of mankind. They provide us insights
     of each era,kingdoms that existed at that time, about their customs, traditions and people.
     Each coin has it's charm and story of it's own.
     Whenever I see my coins collection it brings smile on my face. A new rare coin is like a newly found
      treasure. I have around 28 country currencies and around 1000 rare Indian coins, each one of which
      is equally valuable and close to my heart.

                                                                My Collection


3. Travelling
     Nothing excites, energies and relax you more than a trip to an exotic place. Taking a break amid the              monotonous and tension filled life and visiting beautiful places of this world is the best stress-buster.
     Driving to these places gives you a zest which is beyond description. Cruising on the highways with the
     rush of adrenalin when you go in full throttle, with wind rushing on your face is just magical.
     And if it is raining than its a cherry on the cake. The first drop of water on your face gives you a
     smoothing experience of lifetime.
     A visit to a hill station in monsoon time is enough to make you forget all tensions and worries of your life.

4. Table Tennis
     Table Tennis is a game with a soul and everlasting ecstasy.
     My love for this game has increased manifold from the day I picked up the TT racket.
     It is one of those games which is combination of 5 e's
     1. Energy
     2. Enthusiasm
     3. Ethics
     4. Entertainment
      and finally
     5. Exercise.
     After a stressful day at office , a refreshing game of TT takes you to a different world altogether.
     It eases out all the pressure and makes you feel lively again. Hitting those top spin smashes and defending
     the one's of your opponent is just addictive which can be continued for the whole day.
     I just love this game and describing the joy I get from it is indescribable.

5. Writing
     Writing to me is a hobby and above all a dream.
      Penning down my thoughts is not a choice or pastime but an unyielding calling and a passion.
      It's a famous saying that "Words are bones, Writing is lungs and reading is like breathing, which
      holds quite true in my case.
      Sometimes I write for myself, sometimes for a reason and sometimes out of anger, pain or frustration.
      Whatever the cause of writing is, in the end I feel relaxed, accomplished and satisfied that I have
      brought a change, may not be in others or the society but definitely in myself.
     A dream to pour my heart out in form of a novel is what I live with everyday.

   
This post is a part of the #ZestUpYourLife activity in association with TATA Zest BlogAdda.com

My best treat ever..

I am a foodie and my taste buds are always busy, urging for more.
I love to try different type of cuisines. No wonder why it is said that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach which holds very true in my case.
Though I love trying different varieties but when it comes to a perfect meal I always want it to be Desi Indian style.  My mom and by God’s grace my GF is also perfect in cooking Desi meals.

 It was my Birthday.
As I had to go out with my family for dinner so I told my GF to have lunch together.
But she had planned something else and asked me to come at her place.
Well I know what is running in your mind now but our “GADI” didn't go in that direction..:P
I also came to know about the same after reaching her place..:P

So around 11 a.m., I was there at her door with champagne, prepared for the surprise, a bit nervous and excited, thinking about what I can be.
As the door was opened, a ravishing beauty, my princess was standing right in front.
To my surprise she was dressed in a Saree, looking drop dead gorgeous.
As I entered in I was lost. The air was filled with aroma of my favorite dishes whose sensation even got to my mind.

She blindfolded me and took me somewhere where the aroma got further intensified.
As the blindfold was removed I was agape.  All my favorite dishes were beautifully served on the dinning table.

As I was ready to eat till I die, something else also got my attention. It were those beautiful glasswares in which the dishes were served. No doubt that added to the beauty and made the dish more desirable.
When I noticed the brand it was Borosil, the same which my mom uses. Intelligent gal..:)

Let me run through the perfect mouthwatering meal served on the dinning table which included the below delicacies

Favorite dish of all Marwaris and pride of Rajasthani food was served in deep round casserole.
These flaky round baked Baatis were completely dipped in ghee ready to give your taste buds a pleasure of lifetime.  

Curd is my favorite and the most delicious dish made from it is Kadhi.
Beautifully served in a easy grip round casserole with Ghee floating at the top and smell of fresh curd are enough to mesmerize you, but when Kadhi is served hot you are definitely going to get addicted.

Dals are a ready source of proteins for a balanced diet and the most popular among them is
Toor Dal, also known as the yellow pigeon peas. Just pour some Nimbu in it and the sour taste will add to the delight of gulping it. When combined with Baati, it forms a deadly Combo which will even make all the Angreji Indians lick their fingers.

Next my eyes fell on the red hot beauty. It was lying their warm and soft in a beautiful oval dish, ready to melt in my mouth…wow…mmmmmm !!!
This lip smacking dish is none other than “Gajar ka Halwa” also known as the sweet carrot pudding.  After having one spoon of it, I remember Lays Ad, no one can have just one.
Adding to its beauty were Raisins, Cashews and neatly sprinkled Almonds at the top.
Delightfully delicious is what I will say about this absolute beauty.

Gram flour dumplings flavored with dry species lying lazily in gravy of curd were looking amazingly beautiful.
This famous dish from the land of Rajasthan, “Gatte ki sabji”  is an add on with Dal-Baati.

Long grained rice flavoured with exotic Indian spices, layered with fresh vegetables and paneer in thick gravy was lying hot in a beautiful rectangular dish. Yes it is my all-time favorite rice dish, Veg Hyderabadi Biryani. Now I was confused what to taste first between the two B’s,  Baati or Biryani. My GF solved the problem by feeding me the ever yummy “Gajar ka Halwa”.

This easy to make great taste add on, versatile Indian condiment was placed beautifully in a small glass Katories.  Coriander Chutney also known as Hari Chutney is a must when you eat delicacies like Dal-Baati.

When you eat a heavy heal in summer there should be a drink which makes you digest it and at the same time is the yummiest of the lot. Pudina Chaas, an old time favorite drink was beautifully served in the Galaxy Glasses.  Another favorite of mines made from curd.

Finally crispy and flaky Indian flatbread called Parathas whose each layer was shining with Ghee were neatly placed in the container.


I asked my GF if she made it all alone and her reply made me feel SO SO blessed and fortunate.
She and our mutual friend Sneha got up at 6 in the morning to make me feel so special, to prepare my favorite meal. I hugged her tight, tears rolled down my eyes.
A girl who usually gets up at 11 and has strong aversion for heat, gets up at 6 in the morning and bear the heat for 5 long hours just to make me happy is nothing less than a goddess.


This post is part of the contest My Beautiful Food on Indiblogger