Indian Basic Recipes - Festive Nut Spice Milk (Thandai) Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups (1 liter) fresh milk

• 3 tablespoons unsalted melon seeds

• 2 tablespoons blanched almonds

• 2 tablespoons raw cashew nuts

• 1 1/2 tablespoons white poppy seeds, soaked and simmered in 1/2 cup (125 ml) water for 15 minutes

• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

• Large pinch of saffron threads

• 5 green cardamom pods, bruised

• Petals from 1 red rose, or a few drops of rose essence

• 1-2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 heaped tablespoon shelled, unsalted pistachio nuts, skins removed and finely ground (optional)

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Method:

1. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of the milk with the rest of the ingredients, except the pistachios, and blend to a paste in a blender or food processor. Strain through a muslin or cheesecloth-lined sieve.

2. Add the remaining milk to the strained mixture and check for sweetness. Chill for 3 to 4 hours to allow the flavors to combine and serve in tall glasses, each garnished with a little ground pistachio.