BADAM MILK

     Badam Milk/Badam Doodh is nothing but a flavoured drink prepared with blanched Almonds ground into a fine paste, mixed along with Milk & Sugar, flavoured with Cardamoms and Saffron.  It is one of the sweet beverages from AWADHI CUISINE.  Once a rich drink served for the royalty. Awadhi Cuisine is a native to Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, a North Indian State which was a region greatly influenced by Mughals and Nawabs.
    Indian drinks were prepared and served specifically to soothe your body according to the prevailing climatic conditions. Drinks with cooling effects were served during Summers and with heating effects were served during winters. Almonds/Badam with their skin has heating effect on our body.  If the drink is prepared for Cooling purpose, then soak the nuts in cold water for 8-10 hours or overnight and prepared the Badam Milk.  Soaking them in cold water and blanching them brings out the cooling properties, increases digestibility and their nutritional values.
    If you are preparing Badam Milk during Winters/Rainy Seasons, then blanching them in hot water brings out their warming properties.  Also, it is one of the easiest methods to blanch Almonds/Badam in hot water for 20-30 minutes.You can follow this method if you are in short of time too. Also, avoid adding Saffron to the drink as they have warming nature if you're preparing Badam Milk during summer. 
     Badam Milk/Almond Milk is one of the nutritious drinks which can be taken by all age groups and is suitable even for kids. According to Ayurveda Almonds/Badam eaten in moderation is good for Pita Dosha, and pacifies Vatha Dosha.  It also suggests eating them without the skin. It is good to add Almonds/Badam in your daily diet as it is rich in Vitamin E, Protein and essential minerals like Magnesium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

Recipe Type : Drinks
Cuisine : Awadhi Cuisine (North Indian)
Difficulty : Easy
Serves : 3 - 4
Author : SM  

Soaking Time : 20-30 Minutes in Hot water ( to release Heating Properties)
Soaking Time : 8-10 Hours in Cold Water  ( to release Cooling Properties)
Preparation Time : 20 - 30 Minutes

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HOW TO MAKE BADAM MILK

INGREDIENTS :

To Soak :

Almonds/Badam - 30-35 Almonds
Water - 1/2 Cup

For Badam Milk :

Milk - 3 Cups
Sugar - 5 -6 Tbspns
Cardamoms - 5 Nos.
Saffron - a Pinch(Optional)

METHOD :

For Soaking, Blanching and Peeling :

• For Cooling Properties : Soak Almonds in 1/2 Cup of Cold Water for about 8-10 Hours.
• For Heating Properties : Soak Almonds in 1/2 Cup of Hot Water for about 20-30 Minutes.
• Once soaked, drain the water and peel the Almonds.
• Just press the blanched almonds, the skin would easily come off from the Nut(if they are well soaked).

For Badam Milk :

• Powder the Cardamoms with some Sugar to a fine powder and keep it aside.
• Grind the blanched and peeled Almonds along with Saffron to a smooth paste.
• Can add some milk while grinding the almonds.
• Pour the ground Almond paste into the remaining milk along with Sugar and Cardamom Powder into a heavy bottomed pan and mix well.
• Boil the Almond - Milk mix on a very low flame, stirring it at intervals.
• Care should be taken that the mix does not scorch at the bottom.
• Switch off the flame and serve it Hot or Chilled.
• Can Garnish it with slivered Almonds, Rose Petals or with Saffron Strands.

NOTES:

• Soak Almonds accordingly.
• Grinding Cardamoms with Sugar yields a fine powder.
• Adding Saffron is purely optional.
• Adjust the amount of Sugar to suit your taste preference.
• Can serve the drink hot or chilled, to suit your preference/climatic condition.
• Can serve the drink with or without garnishes.