Thandai Lassi

 

         Thandai is a refreshing Indian drink which is also known as Sardai. It is basically an array of nuts and various spices, ground together, mixed with milk and served. It goes hand in hand with the festival of Holi and Mahashivratri in the Northern parts of India. 

          However, I tried it with buttermilk and some store bought pedas for a thick consistency. So whip up my version of this amazing chilled Thandai Lassi. It tastes equally yummy when served chilled. So go ahead and give it a try and I am sure you will love it.

          This refreshing Lassi is just perfect during summer to beat the scorching heat. I flavored it with cardamom powder, saffron and dry rose petals along with a combination of dry fruits and few spices. 

         

• 2 glasses buttermilk 
• 2 milk pedas / 2-3 tbsp. khoya 
• 1 tsp. rose water
• powdered sugar to taste
• 2 tbsp. almonds
• 2 tbsp. cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp. pistachios
• 2 tbsp. poppy seeds / sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp. melon seeds
• 1/4 tsp. saffron
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns
• 6-7 cardamoms
• 3 tbsp. dry rose petals
• chopped nuts & rose petals to garnish 

           Blend buttermilk, pedas, rose water and sugar. Keep aside. Grind the remaining ingredients into a powder in a mixer-grinder.

           While serving, add 2-3 tbsp. of the thandai powder to a glass of buttermilk and mix well. You may strain it if you wish and garnish with some nuts and rose petals. 

          Serve chilled for a refreshing drink during the festival of Holi or whenever desired.  

Note: 

1.  I used sesame seeds in place of poppy seeds as it is not available at my place of residence. However, it really tasted yum and there was absolutely no change in the flavor. 

2.  You can make this Thandai powder mix and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to make varieties of desserts.  

Thandai Masala Powder

 

          Thandai Masala Powder is a versatile Powder made of mixed nuts, saffron, dry rose petals, melon seeds, poppy seeds and few spices like cardamom, fennel seeds and peppercorns. It is prepared in large quantities and used to flavor milk or buttermilk along with some sugar to taste. For healthier options, date syrup, jaggery or honey may be used to sweeten the drink. So enjoy this healthy drink chilled and garnished as desired.

        

            Thandai Milk or Thandai lassi is a cooling drink usually served during the festival of Holi. You can also use this powder to make any dessert like kheer, rabdi, smoothie or in raita, kadhi, muffins or cakes.

• 2 tbsp. almonds
• 2 tbsp. cashew nuts
• 2 tbsp. pistachios
• 2 tbsp. poppy seeds 
• 2 tbsp. melon seeds
• 1/4 tsp. saffron
• 1 tbsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns
• 6-7 cardamoms
• 3 tbsp. dry rose petals
• chopped nuts, saffron & rose petals to garnish 

          Grind all the above mentioned ingredients into a powder in a mixer-grinder. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator and use as needed.

          Just add 2 tbsp. of the Thandai Masala Powder along with some sugar to taste to a glass of buttermilk / milk and mix well. 

          You may strain it if you wish and garnish with some nuts, saffron and rose petals if you wish. 

          Serve chilled for a refreshing drink during the festival of Holi or whenever desired. 

          You can also use this versatile Thandai Masala Powder to make any dessert of your choice. 

Neer Mor (Spiced Buttermilk - South Indian style)

 

          NEER MOR is a South Indian style spiced and salty buttermilk perfect during summer to beat the scorching heat. As the name indicates Neer means water and Mor is yoghurt. So this is a watery drink where finely chopped green chilies, coriander leaves, curry leaves and ginger are added. 

           It is then had as it is or with a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida to make it more flavorful and appetizing, This refreshing drink is more popular in Tamil Nadu. It has digestive and cooling properties. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this soothing regional beverage. 

          Buttermilk is a popular drink in most parts of India with different variations. In North India, it goes by the name of Lassi / Chaas. It is Majjiga in Andhra / Telangana, Sambaram in Kerala, Neer Majjige in Karnataka and Neer Mor in Tamil Nadu. 

          Neer Mor, apart from being a summer drink, it is also popular during the Hindu festival of Ram Navami. It is offered as prasad to God, which is then distributed to all the devotees. This healthy drink is also better than all the fizzy aerated drinks. So it is the best recipe to keep ourselves cool and hydrated throughout the day. 

Ingredients - 

• 1/2 cup yoghurt
• salt to taste
• 2 cups water
• 1 sprig curry leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, finely chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes (opt)
• 1/4 tsp. pepper powder (opt)

Tempering - 

• 1 tsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 pinch of  asafoetida

          In a large bowl, add the yoghurt, water and salt to taste. Whisk well. Now add all the other ingredients and give it a stir. Keep aside. 

          For the tempering - Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds. Then pour into the yoghurt mix and combine everything well.

          Refrigerate till serving time. Pour into individual glasses and enjoy this refreshing drink as and when needed. 

                                  In a large bowl, add the yoghurt,

                                  water and salt to taste. Whisk well.

                                 Now add all the other ingredients.

                                 Give it a stir and keep aside. 

                        For the tempering - Heat oil in a pan & temper with mustard seeds, 

                        curry leaves and asafoetida. Sauté for a few seconds.

                                 Then pour into the yoghurt mix.

                                  Combine everything well.

                            Pour into glasses & enjoy this refreshing drink as & when needed. 

Sattu Ka Sharbat (Healthy Drink made of Roasted Black Chickpea flour - Bihari Cuisine)

 

          Check out this healthy Bihari style summer drink made of roasted black chickpea flour. Very few ingredients are required to come up with this amazing chilled beverage. The chickpea flour can be easily made fresh at home and stored in an air-tight container for later use. 

          This drink can be made in minutes by just mixing the flour with chilled water, salt, roasted cumin powder, lime juice, grated ginger, chopped green chilies, pepper powder, chopped coriander & mint leaves. It keeps you hydrated all day long. So go ahead a give it a try by checking out the step by step pictorial recipe to make this quick and fuss free homemade energy drink. 

         Sattu has essential nutrients like calcium, fibre, iron, proteins, potassium and magnesium. It helps to reduce bloating and burns calories effectively. So it aids in weight loss. It also keeps blood sugar levels in control and regulates blood pressure. 

          This Sattu drink is very popular in Bihar and other North Indian states. It is healthy, cooling and a refreshing beverage. Besides this savory drink, the sweet version, too can be made out of this Sattu flour. 

• 1 cup roasted black chickpea with skin
• 1/2 tsp. roasted & ground cumin powder
• pinch of pepper powder
• 1 pinch of rock salt / normal salt or to taste
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tbsp. fresh coriander-mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. ginger, grated or ginger powder
• 1 tsp. lime juice 
• 2 glasses chilled water
• few ice cubes (opt)

          Grind the roasted black chickpea in a mixer grinder into a fine powder. Sieve well and store in an air-tight container. 

          In a large bowl, take two glasses of chilled water. To it add 3 tbsp. Sattu flour, followed by salt to taste, pepper powder, roasted cumin powder, chopped green chilies, chopped coriander-mint leaves, lime juice and grated ginger. Stir and mix everything well. 

          While serving, stir well as the flour tends to settle at the bottom. Enjoy this healthy summer drink along with some ice cubes if preferred. 

                                  Take 1 cup roasted black chickpea in a mixer grinder. 

                                  Grind the roasted chickpea into a fine powder. 

                                 Sieve well and store in an air-tight container. 

                                 The sieved flour.

  

                     In a large bowl, take two glasses of chilled water & add 3 tbsp. Sattu flour, 

                                  followed by salt to taste,

                                   pepper powder, 

                                  roasted cumin powder, 

                                 chopped green chilies, 

                                  chopped coriander-mint leaves, 

                                  lime juice 

                                 and grated ginger. Stir and mix everything well. 

 

                        While serving, stir well as the flour tends to settle at the bottom. Enjoy 

                        this healthy summer drink along with some ice cubes if preferred. 

Rosemary Kadha / Immunity Booster Drink

 

              This immune booster drink is the need of the time. It's refreshing as it will surely soothe your nerves and keep you going throughout the day. I skipped the mandatory basil / mint and instead, added some rosemary herb, as apart from adding a flavour to the drink, it has many health benefits. I also included some fresh turmeric. 

             You can enjoy this drink hot or chilled, along with some ice cubes, according to your preference, anytime of the day. The brown sugar (or any sweetener) can be omitted if you wish. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this traditional Indian medicine. 

          Ginger and lime contains vitamin C and other anti oxidants. The intake of ginger wards off nausea, stomach ailments and strengthens our immunity. Lime improves digestion, is good for the tummy, removes toxins from our body and relieves constipation.

           Fresh turmeric root has its own health benefits. It has anti inflammatory properties, lowers cholesterol and prevents cancer. 

          Rosemary is a fragrant herb that improves blood circulation, boosts the immune system and aids in digestion.

          Lastly, the whole spices are high in antioxidants as they lower blood sugar level / blood pressure, reduces inflammation, digestive problems and improves cholesterol, relieves indigestion and constipation.

          So a cupful of this healthy drink has a lot of healing properties. It relieves any cold during winter and boosts our energy. So it is beneficial to include kadha in our everyday life. 

• 3 cups water
• pinch of salt (opt)
• 1" cinnamon stick
• 3 green cardamoms 
• 6 cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp. carom seeds
• 10-12 whole peppercorns
• 1" ginger
• 1" fresh turmeric
• 2 tbsp. rosemary
• lime juice to taste
• brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste

          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

          Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil. Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

          Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

          Then strain and serve with lime juice and brown sugar / jaggery / honey to taste.

                                 The ingredients to be crushed. 

                          Crush all the ingredients (except lime & sweetener) in a mortal & pestle.

                            Add water in a pan along with a pinch of salt & bring it to a boil. 

                                  Then add all the crushed ingredients. 

                       Simmer for 10 minutes on a low flame till it is slightly reduced. When done, 

                       switch off the flame and keep it covered for 5 minutes. 

 Strain. 

Serve with lime juice & honey / brown sugar / jaggery.