Jaggery Masala Chai / Tea ~ Day 170

Make your next cup of chai / tea a healthy and flavorful one by using jaggery instead of white sugar.   Jaggery is an unrefined sugar made from sugar cane juice. There are many types of jaggery made from different plants that are available in the Indian supermarket or online.     Here is some more info on jaggery.

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Preparation time: 2 minutes

Making time: 5 minutes

Yields: 2 cups

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Ingredients:

• Loose tea - 2 tbsp 
• or tea bags - 3 ( my favorite brand is Tajmahal)
• Water - 1 and 1/2 cups
• Milk (whole milk or 2 %) - 1/2 cup
• Powdered Jaggery - 2 tbsp or to taste
• Tea masala powder - 1/2 tsp
• Grated ginger - 1/2 tsp

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan, place 1 1/2 cups water.  Add 2 tbsp tea or 3 tea bags, jaggery, ginger and tea masala.  Bring the water to a boil.
2. Add milk and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.  Strain in your favorite cup.
3. Sip and enjoy!

Blackberry Lemonade ~ Day 127

A tangy and refreshing blackberry lemonade,  perfect for hot summer days.  

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 Preparation time: 10 minutes

Yields: 5 cups

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Ingredients:

• Blackberries - 1/2 cup
• Organic Lemons - 2, washed well, seeds removed and cut into cubes
• Sugar - 1/2 cup or to taste
• Mint - few leaves
• Salt - 1/8 tsp
• Water - 5 cups
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. Place all the ingredients along with some ice cubes and 4 cups of water in a blender and blend until pureed, about 30 seconds.
2. Strain the pulp through a fine mesh strainer.  Use a spoon to push the liquid through the strainer.  Blend the pulp again with 1 cup of water and strain. Discard the pulp.
3. Serve the lemonade over ice.

Peach Iced Tea with Lemon Grass and Holy Basil ~ Day 115

Light and healthy peach iced tea infused with natural herbs like lemon grass and holy basil (Tulasi), a refreshing drink perfect for hot summer days.  

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Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serves: 4

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Ingredients:

• Peaches - 2
• Sugar - 1/4 to 1/2 cup ( I used palm sugar) or to taste
• Lemon grass - a small piece, crushed
• Holy basil (Tulasi) or any basil - 7 to 8 leaves
• Ginger - 1 tsp, grated
• Tea bags - 2
• Water - 4 cups

Method:

1. Wash and cut the peaches into bite size pieces.  Place the peaches, sugar, lemon grass, ginger, and holy basil in a saucepan along with 1 cup of water.
2. Gently bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the peaches are soft, about 15 minutes.  Remove the lemon grass and discard.
3. Blend the mixture to a smooth paste.  Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer.  Let the peach syrup cool.
4. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.  Steep the tea bags for 5 minutes.  Discard the tea bags and Let the tea cool completely.
5. To serve:  Mix the peach syrup with the tea, stir, and refrigerate. 
6. Pour the tea into your favorite tall glass, top it with lots of ice and enjoy!

Ragi Malt (Sweetened Finger Millet Porridge) ~ Day 103

Ragi or finger millet is one of the most healthy and nutritious cereals.  Finger millet is rich in calcium, iron, protein, fiber, and other minerals and also gluten-free.  Start your day with this simple, healthy, and easy to make delicious porridge.  

  

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Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

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Ingredients:

• Ragi / Finger millet Flour - 1/4 cup
• Jaggery, Palm sugar (Panam Kalkandu) or Regular sugar - 2 to 4 tbsp
• Milk - 3/4 cup
• Water - 1 cup
• Cardamom powder - a pinch
• Dry ginger powder - 1/4 tsp (optional)
• Chopped nuts - for garnishing

Method:

1. If using jaggery or palm sugar, melt in 1/4 cup of hot water and strain.  Keep it aside.
2. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan.  Add the ragi flour and whisk without any lumps.
3. Add the jaggery / palm sugar syrup or regular sugar.  Cook over low heat for a minute, whisking constantly.
4. Add milk, cardamom powder, and the dry ginger powder.  Mix well and cook for 2 minutes, whisking constantly.
5. Serve warm, topped with chopped nuts.

Strawberry Lassi / Strawberry Yogurt Drink ~ Day 62

 A sweet, creamy and refreshing yogurt drink made with strawberries instead of mangoes, which is often used in this drink.  This simple drink takes hardly anytime to whip up and it is absolutely delicious.  I have not added any extra ingredients like cardamom and rose water.  If you wish, feel free to use it.

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Preparation time: 5 minutes

Serves: 2

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Ingredients:

• Plain or Greek yogurt - 2 cups,  full or low fat
• Fresh Strawberries - 15, more or less, washed and hulled
• Sugar - 4 to 6 tbsp or to taste 
• Ice cubes - optional

Method:

1. Place all the ingredients in a blender or vita-mix.  Blend until smooth and frothy.
2. Taste, and adjust the sweetness.
3. Serve immediately.

Carrot Orange Sunrise Smoothie ~ Day 53

Start your morning with this thick, creamy, healthy, power packed and super nutritious smoothie and  boost your energy instantly.

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Preparation time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2 to 3

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Ingredients:

• Carrots - 2, large, peeled, chopped
• Oranges - 2, peeled, slices separated (I used Navel oranges)
• Frozen Mango chunks - 1/2 cup
• Pitted Dates - 6
• Ginger - a small piece
• Almond - 6
• Walnut - 6
• Almond Milk or Coconut milk - 1 cup or more
• Honey - 1 tbsp
• Nutmeg powder - 1/2 tsp
• Ice cubes

Method:

1. If you have one of the powerful blenders like Vitamix or Ninja, you can place all the ingredients at once and blend until smooth.
2. If you are using a regular blender, first chop the carrots, dates, almonds, ginger and walnuts.
3. Then add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
4. Serve immediately.

Chai (Tea) Masala Spice Mix / Blend ~ Day 31

A warm, aromatic and flavorful spice blend for making delicious Chai / Tea.  This spice mix is also delicious in making smoothies, cookies, cakes, and ice cream.  Homemade chai spice blend is a breeze to make and when stored properly it will stay fresh for a couple of months. 

Ingredients:

• Green cardamom - 1/4 cup
• Fennel seeds - 1/4 cup
• Cloves - 2 tbsp
• Black pepper - 2 tbsp
• Dry ginger - 1 piece, quarter size
• Cinnamon stick - 2

Method:
Combine all the ingredients and grind into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or blender jar. Store in an airtight container.

Spiced Hot Cocoa with White chocolate ~ Day 3

Rich, creamy and delicious homemade hot chocolate. The incredible flavors of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg combined with white chocolate and cocoa are warm and comforting.  Perfect for cool winter nights.

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Ingredients:
Milk - 1 cup
Unsweetened Cocoa powder - 2 tbsp
White Chocolate, chopped or White Chocolate Chips - 2 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp or to taste
Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
Pinch of Ground Cinnamon
Pinch of Ground Cardamom
Pinch of Ground Nutmeg
Whipped Cream

Method:

• Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan and heat until steamy.
• Pour it in your favorite mug and top it with whipped cream.
• Find a cozy place, sip and enjoy!!!

Cucumber Lemonade

Ingredients:

Cucumber - 1  (peeled, seeded and cubed)
Lemon Juice - from 2 lemons
Sugar - 2 TBSP
Salt - a pinch
Cold Water - 2 to 3 cups

Method:

Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth.  Strain.  Serve with or without ice.
Note:  Adjust sugar and lemon juice according to your taste.

Enjoy!

Papaya - Nuts Smoothie

Ingredients:
Papaya Chunks - 1 cup
Ripe Banana - 1
Dry Figs - 3
Dates - 5
Almonds - 10
Walnuts - 10
Orange Juice - 1 cup
Mango Juice - 1/2 cup
Honey - 2 tsp (optional)
Ice cubes

Method:

1. Soak the figs, almonds and walnuts overnight in water.
2. Grind the soaked nuts and figs with enough juice to a smooth paste.
3. Add the fruits, dates and both the juices and blend with some ice cubes.
4. Add honey for sweetness, if needed.

Happy Mother's Day!

Pomegranate Lassi / Yogurt Drink

Ingredients:
Plain Yogurt - 1 cup
Pomegranate - 1/2 cup
Water - 1/4 cup
Sugar or Honey - to taste

Method:
Blend pomegranate seeds with water and strain the seeds.
Blend yogurt, pomegranate juice and sugar or honey until frothy.

Watermelonade - Thirst Quencher

Watermelon(seedless) - 2 cups
Mint leaves - 2
Honey - 1 tsp

Whip all the above ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Enjoy!