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. 

Jaggery Mawa Kulfi

 

           Kulfi is an equivalent to Indian ice-cream. They are basically frozen dessert prepared with milk and other flavoring agents. They are just perfect during hot summer days or as an after-meal dessert. This is a great party recipe too apt for special occasions. 

           Today I would like to share a healthy, rich and a creamy kulfi with jaggery. So just substitute white sugar with jaggery. I have added some store bought mawa for a creamy texture. To prepare this absolutely easy and delicious chilled dessert, check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this ever popular Indian ice cream. 

• 1/4 cup jaggery
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 cup grated mawa / khoya / milk solids
• powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron and dry rose petals to garnish

         In a pan, add the jaggery and water. Simmer till it melts completely.

         Add the milk, cardamom powder and rose water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

        Add the grated mawa and the powdered nuts. Mix everything well and simmer further till it thickens to a pouring consistency. Keep aside to cool slightly.

          Pour into kulfi moulds or paper cups, covered with an aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight. 

          While serving, dip the moulds in water for a minute to loosen. Serve chilled, garnished with powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron and dry rose petals. 

                             In a pan, add the jaggery.....

                 and water. Simmer till it melts completely.

Add the milk, cardamom powder & rose water. Bring it to a boil & simmer for 2-3 minutes. 

                      Add the grated mawa.....

                       & the powdered nuts. Mix everything well.

Simmer further till it thickens to a pouring consistency. Keep aside to cool slightly.

Pour into kulfi moulds or paper cups, covered with an aluminum foil.

                     Refrigerate overnight and demold them. 

Serve chilled, garnished with powdered jaggery, chopped nuts, saffron & dry rose petals. 

Dates Dry Fruit Roll (Sugar Free Dessert)

 

             Dates Dry Fruit Rolls are very easy to prepare. They are healthy with the goodness of dates and mixed dry fruits having almonds, cashew, pistachios, walnuts and raisins. I flavored these rolls with cardamom powder and rose water. This is a perfect guilt free dessert apt for any festive occasions. Besides, they can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast on the go. It is also a perfect snack for weight watchers and ideal for the youngsters.

             Dates and Dry Fruit Rolls are completely sugar free as it has only the natural sweetness of the dates. So they are diabetic friendly. It can be made much in advance and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy treat. 

• 1 cup soft dates, deseeded & chopped
• 3 tsp. ghee
• 1 cup mixed fry fruits, chopped
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. pistachios, chopped
• 1 tbsp. rose water
• pinch of chopped pistachios, almonds and dry rose petals

              Blend the chopped dates and the rose water in a mixer grinder and keep aside. 

              Dry roast the sesame seeds for a minute and keep aside.

              Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté the dry fruits for 2 minutes. Keep aside. 

              Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté raisins for a minute. Set aside. 

              Heat the remaining 1 tsp. ghee and sauté the ground dates and cardamom powder till it comes together as a lump. 

              Now add the roasted dry fruits and raisins. Combine everything well. 

              Transfer to a plate. When it is cool enough to handle,  roll the mix into a log. 

              Now on a surface or in a pan, spread the roasted sesame seeds, chopped pistachio, chopped almonds and dry rose petals.

              Roll the log on it so that it is well coated. Wrap it in an aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

              Then cut into slices with a sharp knife. Date Dry Fruit Rolls are ready to be enjoyed.

                                  Dry roast the sesame seeds for a minute and keep aside.

                            Heat 1 tsp. ghee & sauté the dry fruits for 2 minutes. Keep aside. 

                                 Heat 1 tsp. ghee and sauté raisins for a minute. Set aside. 

                     Heat the remaining 1 tsp. ghee & sauté the ground dates & cardamom

                       powder till it comes together as a lump. 

                        Add the roasted dry fruits & raisins. Mix everything well. Transfer 

                        to a plate. When it is cool enough to handle, roll the mix into a log. 

                              Now on a surface or in a pan, spread the roasted sesame seeds, 

                              chopped pistachio, chopped almonds and dry rose petals.

                                  Roll the log on it so that it is well coated. 

                                 Wrap it in an aluminum foil and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

                                  Cut into slices with a sharp knife.

                        Date Dry Fruit Rolls are ready to be enjoyed.

Dates & Nuts Laddu / Laddoo

 

                      Dates & Nuts Laddu is very easy to prepare. They are healthy energy balls with the goodness of dates, almonds, cashew, pistachios, coconut, roasted chana dal and sesame seeds. I then flavored them with cardamom powder and rose water. This is a perfect guilt free dessert apt for your Diwali celebration. Besides, they can be enjoyed as a quick breakfast on the go. It is also a perfect snack for weight watchers and ideal for youngsters.

              Dates and nuts laddu is completely sugar free as it has only the natural sweetness of the dates. So they are diabetic friendly. It can be made much in advance and stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days. So check out a quick step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this Diwali treat. 

• 1 cup soft dates, deseeded & chopped
• 2 tsp. ghee
• 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
• 1/4 cup cashew nuts, chopped
• 1/4 cup pistachios, chopped
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• 1/4 cup roasted chana dal
• 2 tbsp. raisins
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 tbsp. dry rose petals
• 1 tbsp. rose water

          Heat 1 tbsp. ghee in a pan and sauté the chopped almonds and cashew nuts till they turn slightly brownish in colour. 

         Then add the chopped pistachios and sesame seeds. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Keep aside.

          In the same pan, dry roast the fresh grated coconut till light brown. Add the roasted chana dal and give it a stir. Keep aside. 

          Heat remaining 1 tbsp. ghee in the pan and sauté the raisins for a minute. Then add the chopped dates and mix well till it is soft and comes together.

          Then add all the roasted nuts, dry rose petals, pinch of salt, cardamom powder and rose water. Combine everything well.

          Switch off the flame and set aside for a couple of minutes to slightly cool down. 

          Take a small portion of the mix and form into round shaped balls. Make similar balls with the rest of the dates mixture. Yummy Dates & Nuts Laddus are ready. 

                         Heat 1 tbsp. ghee & sauté the almonds & cashew till light brown.

                     Add the pistachios & sesame seeds. Sauté for 1-2 minutes. Keep aside.

                                 Dry roast the fresh grated coconut till light brown. 

                                  Add the roasted chana dal & give it a stir. Keep aside. 

                            Heat remaining 1 tsp. ghee & sauté the raisins for a minute. 

                          Add the chopped dates & mix well till it is soft & comes together.

                        Add all the roasted nuts, dry rose petals, pinch of salt, cardamom 

                        powder & rose water. Combine well.  Switch off the flame & set

                        aside for a couple of minutes to slightly cool down. 

                           Take a small portion of the mix & form into round shaped balls. 

                       Yummy Dates & Nuts Laddus are ready. Enjoy !!!!!