It’s March time and Holi, The festival of colors is round the corner. This is by far my most favorite festivals. It’s colorful as well as flavorful. Back in India we celebrated Holi with all our family and friends on a large scale. Loads of food like the Gujiyas, Dahi Vadas, Puran Poli, Thandai, coconut ladoos and so on. My latest addition is pan drink/pan shots. Holi is all about lot of food and lots of colors and secret water balloons. All this is so nostalgic!!
Food is the favourite part about holi. It’s basically a cold welcome for the warm days! Yes, summers are arriving and we prepare our body to get acquainted with the weather.It all begins with what we eat. It should definitely be seasonal.
These drinks like thandai are so refreshing in summer. The ingredients in it help our body to maintain temperature transition and keep us healthy. No matter why our ancestors have a seasonal food plan. It’s all very scientific.
Thandai Drink:
Thandai or Bhang is a famous drink during Holi. It’s very popular in the northern parts of India. Thandai is an exotic drink made with nuts and spices whereas bhang is an intoxicating drink prepared by adding cannabis paste.
Thandai specifically has a special place in my heart as I love almond and saffron flavored drinks. Growing up my mom always insisted on natural health drinks instead of malt drinks with milk. She always optioned us with milk masala, thandai masala, Turmeric , rose essence, almond milk ,and sabja(Tukmaria/ sweet basil seeds). We loved trying these flavors and till date I love my masala milk and thandai almost anytime.
Thandai Masala
Thandai masala is an exotic recipe prepared from nuts and spices which is healthy at the same time the spice adds up a variation making it different from the regular milk masala.
It’s easily available in stores but I prefer making it at home. All you need is just a handful of ingredients and a high speed grinder. It’s just one step process and you are ready to go.This masala has now gained popularity and has become versatile.
Thandai rabdi, cakes, panna cotta are just a few taste variations recently seen. I typically prepare thandai coconut ladoos and we all love it! Super easy to make and healthy. Thandai tastes good in cold milk but you can also boil it in warm milk. We even get ready to use thandai syrups easily in the market. Brands like Guruji thandai and Haldirams are our favourite picks.
I love this powder too and recently stocked it for my holi preparation.Sharing with you my super simple thandai masala powder. Let’s check the recipe in detail.
Thandai Masala
Equipment
- High speed grinder
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 2 Tbsp white poppy seeds
- 1 tbsp peppercorns
- 1 tbsp cardamom seeds
- 1 tbsp melon seeds
- 1 tsp saffron strands
- 2 tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 tbsp rose petals
- 1 tbsp dry ginger powder
- 1 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Take all the ingredients at room temperature.
- You can even dry roast them for a couple of minutes before using.
- In a dry high power mixer grinder add all of them and churn.
- Crush it to a fine powder or a slightly coarse (optional if you like it that way)(I like it a little coarse)
- Allow it to cool a bit.
- Store it in a dry jar in a cool place /refrigerator for about 2 months.
- Use a dry spoon every time you use it!
Notes
Some tips:
- Use all ingredients at room temperature.
- Melon seeds might be hard to find .These are not watermelon seeds but dried muskmelon seeds available in stores.
- Melon seeds can be replaced with Pumpkin seeds at times.
- Poppy seeds are one of the most likely ingredients in thandai.
Using Thandai powder
- Boil 2 cups of milk with 2 teaspoon sugar and 2 teaspoon thandai masala.
- Allow it to cool down.
- Serve it chilled.
- Vegans can use almond milk while preparing thandai.
- You can strain the thandai residue and then serve. But it’s optional.
You can add this Masala in your favorite sweet dishes:
- Add it in your kheer
- Rabri
- Coconut ladoos/barfi/fudge
- Thandai gujiyas
- Make thandai shrikhand
- Thandai Panna Cotta
- Thandai Pina Colada (coconut milk and coconut cream) drink
- Thandai cakes/cupcakes
- Thandai mousse/ yogurt etc.
- How about a Thandai custard?
Nutrition
- Powdered with dry fruits it’s one of the rich sources of proteins and vitamins.
- It helps in digestion and maintains the body temperature.
- Poppy seeds help in calming and soothing your brain and hence is a great ingredient.
- Fennel helps cooling and digestion again.
Links to other Indian desserts on the blog are below:
- Anjeer/fig custard
- Kalakand (Indian Cheesecake)
- Rasgulla
- Gajar ka halwa
- Kheer
- Puran Poli
- Cashew bites/ Kaju barfi or fudge
If you like and try this recipe do write reviews in the comment section below.
You can also email me at veggie.bites.2020@gmail.com
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Enjoy healthy eating 😋