Milk Badam - Almond Milk

We are going to welcome 2013 with healthy, warm and cozy beverages! Milk and almonds go really well together. I still remember, as a child we used to go to this bakery in the market, to have ‘Milk Badam’. I even go there today whenever I’m home and it’s also customary to have milk badam either before beginning the shopping spree or after getting tired from it! This recipe is really simple, can be made daily ( atleast during winters) and is especially healthy for the elders and kids as it gives them the fibre, nutrition and essential fats from the almonds, warmth from the spices and calcium and energy from the milk.

Serves 8

Cooking Time 20 mins

Ingredients

Almonds                         60

Milk                               8 cups

Saffron                           2 pinches

Cardamom powder         ½ tsp

Nutmeg powder             1 pinch

Sugar                             12 tbsp

Recipe

• Blanch and peel the almonds.
• Slice 10-15 almonds and keep aside for garnishing. Grind the rest of almonds to a paste.
• In a thick bottomed pan, bring the milk to a boil. Add the almond paste and simmer on low heat for 15-20 mins.
• Add saffron, cardamom powder, nutmeg and mix well. Add sugar and mix.
• Do not strain. Pour into glasses. Garnish with sliced almonds and serve hot.

Chef’s Tip: You can also add a few pistachios and ¼ tsp cinnamon powder if you like. For making the badam mix, you can put ½ kg almonds, 2 tsp cardamom powder, pinch of nutmeg powder in a blender and make a powder. You can add 2 tsp of this to a hot cup for making instant badam milk.