Paan Thandai

इस व्यंजन को हिन्दी में पढ़ें

Paan- paan, also known as Betel is an evergreen perennial from tropical climate. Paan leaves are strong and peppery in taste. The paan leaves are heart shaped and are often consumed as mouth freshener along with fennel seeds and areca nuts in India.

Thandai -thandai is a traditional milk based spiced Indian drink. It is made with selected spices grinded with nuts. Thandai is considered as a good coolant. In North India this special drink is made for Holi (the festival of colors). My Gujarati and Rajasthani friends have told me that it is also made for the Maha-Shivratri festival, as an offering to Lord Shiva. For both these festivals, Thandai is also sometimes mixed with Bhanng (an intoxicant herb). Here we are making Paan Thandai for the auspicious festival of Shivratri! Try this paan thandai recipe and please do share your comments. Thanks, Shuchi

Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 0 minutes

Ingredients(serves 2)

• Betel leaves 2
• Pistachio ¼ cup
• Green cardamoms  4 pods
• Fennel Seeds (Saunf) 1½ tbsp
• Milk  2 cups
• Sugar   2 tbsp

Method of preparation :

1. Following picture shows paan leaves, fennel seeds, cardamoms, and pistachios.

2. In the grinder take paan leaves, pistachio, fennel seeds, green cardamoms, and sugar. Add half cup milk and make a fine paste. Add remaining 1½ cup milk and blend well. Taste and adjust the sugar.
3. 1. You can sieve the thandai milk to remove the fibers of fennel seeds. I like it without removing the fibers, so the choice is yours.

4. Delicious Paan Thandai is ready to serve. You can also pour some ice cubes at the time of serving.

Some Tips/ Suggestions:

1. You can add more milk and/or sugar if this drink is too strong for you.
2. Use cold milk to make chilled drink. You can also add some ice.
3. If you live outside India, you can find all these ingredients easily in the Indian stores.

Some other Indian Drinks:

• Ginger Tea

  Chai is an Indian tea made by boiling water with ginger, cardamoms, sugar, milk and tea leaves. This is an all-time favorite, and I think it is made a minimum of two times a day in most families ... .

  

• Mint Mystery

  Mint is an excellent aromatic herb; it contains Vitamin A and C and is also rich in a number of minerals. This drink is also a good digestive. Cucumber is an excellent coolant...

  

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