Gajrela (Punjabi Winter Dessert) / گجریلا

Gajrela is a very delicious Winter Dessert from Punjab. It is a very nutritious and energetic dessert. It provided extra energy to fight chilly weather in winter. Almost ever household in Punjab prepare it during cold weather. Children are fond of Gajrela. Only 3-4 table spoon are eaten up in the morning and evening. Here is my mother's recipe of Gajrela.

Gajrela (Carrots in Milk)

Ingredients:

• Full Cream Milk  2 litre
• Carrots grated   1 kg
• Sugar 1 cup
• Desi ghee/ Butter  100 g
• Pistachio chopped 1 tablespoon
• Almond chopped 1 tablespoon
• Rasin  1 tablespoon
• Coconut slices  1 tablespoon

Procedure:

• Place milk and grated carrots in a large pan.
• Continue to cook on low flame with occasional stirring till most of the water is evaporated. It will take 2-3 hours.
• When thick mass is obtained, add sugar,  desi ghee/butter and nuts.
• Then cook on medium to high flame with vigorous stirring to avoid sticking to the bottom and walls of the pan.
• Delicious Gajrela is ready.
• Serve hot/cold.

• Serving:  8

Punjabi Gobhi Musallam پنجابی گوبھی مسّلم

Punjabi Gobhi Musallam is a very very taste and mouthwatering vegetarian dish.  It is cooked on simmering heat with butter.

Gobhi Musallam

Ingredients:

• Cauliflower (Phool Gobhi)  small size 2-3
• Oil 1 cup
• Onion chopped 2
• Tomatoes chopped 2-3
• Ginger  crushed   1 teaspoon
• Garlic crushed 1 teaspoon
• Salt to taste
• Red Chilli powder 1 teaspoon
• Haldi powder 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
• Cumin powder 1/2  teaspoon
• Butter 1-2 tablespoon
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Procedure:

• Prepare cauliflower, remove leaves and stem (Danthal). Keep aside.
• Now saute onion in oil.
• Add tomatoes, ginger garlic pastes and spices . Fry for 5 minutes.
• Add one cup water and cook for 2-3 more minutes.
• Add prepared cauliflower carefully, also add butter.
• Put the lid tightly closed and cook over simmering heat for 15-20 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and remove from heat.
• Serve with paratha or roti. 

Dal Makhani دال مکھنی ਦਾਲ ਮੱਖਣੀ

Dal Makhni is a most popular dal dish of Punjab. Its buttery flavour and creamy texture gives this dish a unique popularity.

दाल मखानी

Dal Makhni 

دال مکھنی

Ingredients:

• Sabut Mash ki Dal/ Mah de Dal (Black whole lentil)   1 cup
• Rajma/Lal lobia (Red Kidney Beans)  1 tablespoon
• Onion chopped 1
• Tomatoes chopped  2
• Ginger paste  1 teaspoon
• Garlic paste 1 teaspoon
• Green Chillies for garnish 2
• Fresh Coriander leaves for garnish
• Fresh whipped cream for garnish  1 table spoon
• Salt to taste
• Red Chillies 1 teaspoon
• Haldi 1/2 teaspoon
• Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
• Asafoetida (Hing)  1 pinch
• Garam Masala 1/2 teaspoon

Tarka Ingrdients:

• Butter 1/2 cup
• Garlic cloves chopped into discs   4-5
• Cumin seed whole 1 teaspoon
• Red Chillies whole 3-4
• Ginger cut into sticks (Julienne cut)  1 teaspoon

Procedure:

• Soak sabut mash ki dal and rajma in water 5-6 hours.
• Take 2-3 cup water in a pan add dal, rajma , onions, tomatoes, ginger garlic paste and spices.
• Continue to cook on medium flame till dal and rajma are tender.
• Slightly mash with hand masher, then garnish with fresh coriander leaves, green chillies and fresh cream.
• Simmer for 1-2 minutes.
• Dal Makhni is ready for Tarka.

Tarka Procedure:

• Heat butter in a frying pan.
• Add garlic cloves  , fry till light golden.
• Then add red chillies whole, cumin seed and ginger, fry for 1-2 minutes.
• Pour over the prepared Dal Makhni.
• Dal Makhni is ready to serve.
• Serve with Roti/ boiled Rice and pickle.