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. 

Herbed / Spiced / Masala Paneer

          Paneer (Cottage Cheese) is very commonly used in many Indian cuisine. Homemade paneer is the best option as it is inexpensive and easy to prepare. So how about turning plain paneer into a herbed and spiced variety? They come out just awesome, appetizing and visually appealing too. You can slightly pan fry them and enjoy as an appetizer with a sprinkle of your favorite seasoning. It can also be added to salad or can be made into your favorite curry for the main course. 

• 1 litre full fat milk
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice diluted with 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. salt 
• 1 tsp. flax seeds
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 1 tsp. red chili flakes 
• 2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Bring the milk to a boil. Add all the spices and herbs to it. Then gently pour the diluted lemon water, little at a time, and keep stirring till the milk begins to curdle. 

          Switch off the flame and keep it covered for 2-3 minutes. Pour the curdled milk in a colander, lined with a muslin cloth. (Keep a bowl underneath to collect the whey).

          Add plain water to remove the smell of lemon from it. Then bring all the edges of the cloth together and gently squeeze to remove any excess whey. 

          Keep some weight on the paneer bundle and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Remove the paneer from the muslin cloth. Transfer to a plate and cut into cubes. 

          Sprinkle your favorite seasoning and enjoy as an appetizer, just as it is or pan fried. It can also be added to salads or can be made into your favorite curry for the main course. 

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 part of India. 

          But I tried it with buttermilk and some store bought pedas for a creamier texture. This Thandai Lassi equally tastes yummy when served chilled. So go ahead and give it a try and I am sure you will love it.

• 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 
• 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 (opt)

            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 here. But it really tasted yum. There was absolutely no change in the flavour. 

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

Bisi Bele Bath Masala

          This is the basic and authentic homemade masala powder that goes into making the Karnataka special Bisi Bele Bath which is a rice-lentil khichri / porridge with vegetables in it. This spice mix is very essential to prepare this delicacy. 

          A whole lot of spices like coconut, chana dal, urad dal, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, dry red chilies and whole garam masala are used to prepare it. Marathi moggu if available can also be added. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 6-7 dry red chilies
• 2 tbsp. coriander seeds
• 1 tbsp. cumin seeds
• 1/2 tsp. fenugreek seeds
• 1 tsp. mustard seeds
• 2 tbsp. desicated coconut
• 2 tbsp. urad dal (split black gram)
• 2 tbsp. chana dal (Bengal Gram)
• 2" cinnamon stick
• 5-6 green cardamoms
• 8-10 cloves
• pinch of salt

          In a pan dry roast all the above mentioned ingredients (except coconut) for 1-2 minutes or till you get a nice aroma coming through.

          Now add the desicated coconut and salt. Switch off the flame and keep stirring for another minute.

          Transfer to a plate and allow it to cool. Then grind to a fine powder and store in an air tight container.

                                 All the above mentioned ingredients.

                                Dry roast them (except desiccated coconut) for 1-2 minutes.

                               Add coconut & switch off the flame. Stir for another minute.

                                  Allow it to cool done.

Grind into a fine powder.

                                  Store in an air tight container.