JAMUN JUICE / JAMUN DRINK / BLACK PLUM JUICE / BLACK BERRY JUICE

Jamun, a summer fruit, is full of iron, folic acid, potassium, calcium. Vitamin A&C are found in abundant in this tiny fruit. It helps in increasing hemoglobin count, relieves constipation, arthritis, acidity.

My kids don't like to eat Jamun so am I. 

I find it very difficult to swallow because of its typical trait. Neither I like it's taste. But when nature is giving you it's blessing in abundant you don't want to disregard it. Something like this happened with me. 

I have a Jamun tree near my house and my domestic helper got a bag full of it with huge smile.

I remember having falsa juice since childhood, after looking at Jamun first thing struck me was falsa juice, and I gave jamun the same try and trust me it tasted heavenly.

But here is one very important suggestion specially if you are going to make this drink for kids, do sieve the pulp.

The best part comes when your children likes it too and ask for more. If I am not wrong 80% of jamun from that tree was consumed by my family ;)

So what are you waiting for try these yummy, refreshing and appetizing jamun juice today!!!

INGREDIENTS
20-30 Jamuns or 1/2 cup chopped jamun
2 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp black salt
2-3 mint leaves (optional)
2 glasses water
some ice-cubes

METHOD
Blend all the ingredients. Add water and sieve it. Add ice-cubes and enjoy!! Don't forget to sieve the pulp.
 








1. Blend together all the ingredients. 

2. Make a fine puree. 

3. Strain by adding water in puree.













4. Sieve it as fine as possible. 

 5. This is what you will get.

 








6. Some ice-cubes.

7. Enjoy!!

MASALA DOODH / DRY-FRUIT MILK / MASALA MILK

Masala doodh or Spiced milk is a unique blend made from nuts, couple of spices and saffron.This is also a great way to sneak in some healthy nuts and saffron along with milk into our diet. The presence of nuts in the masala powder helps to enrich the milk with added health benefits. Its flavor, aroma and taste are ethereal and more than that, it offers many health benefits like antioxidants, vitamin E and zinc and many more.

You can store this masala for more than a month and can enjoy in winters. I prefer using this as additive in milk for kids rather than going for those commercial milk additives.

INGREDIENTS 
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup cashews
1/2 cup pistachio
4-5 tsp chirongi
1 tsp fennel seeds (Saunf)
5-6 whole green cardamom (I had powder so I used 1 tsp)
1/4 tsp saffron (kesar)


4-5 peppercorns (I used 1/2 tsp pepper powder)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp ginger powder
6 tbsp sugar
a pinch of grated nutmeg

METHOD
Dry roast almonds, cashews, pistachios at a time for 3-4 minutes. Cashews take 2-3 minutes to roast. Transfer in plate.

2. Dry roast chirongi and saunf for 1-2 minutes. Add kesar after 2 minutes and roast for another minute.Transfer in plate.

3. If you are using peppercorns dry roast them too.

4. In pic6 you can see all the ingredients I have used.

5. Take blender jar, add all the ingredients and blend to make fine powder as shown in pic below.

6. Store this in air-tight jar in fridge for 2 months and without fridge for 1 month.

7. Take 1 glass milk, add 2 tsp of powder, warm it or you can simmer for 2-3 minutes for thick and creamy milk.

8. I added few more strands for kesar(saffron) for extra bright color. You can use extra 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder (haldi powder) as substitute of saffron.

Pictorial:

1. Dry roast almonds.

2. Dry roast cashews.

3. Dry roast pistachio.

4. Dry roast chirongi and saunf.

5. Add kesar and roast for another 2 minutes.

6. All the ingredients are ready to go in blender jar.

7. Transfer in blender jar.

8. Make fine powder. Store in air-tight jar.








9. For preparing masala milk, take 1 glass of milk in heavy bottomed pan, add few strands of kesar.








10. Add 1 tbsp of masala powder.

11. Sugar to taste, I added 1 tsp.

12. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder for extra color.








13. Bring it to boil.

14. After boil, if you want it to be more thick and bright, simmer for 5 minutes.

15. Pour in serving glasses.

16. You can enjoy this drink throughout winters.

PAAN SHAKE / PAAN DRINK / BETEL LEAVES DRINK / BETEL LEAVES SHAKE

Betel leaves, from  using it in prayers and religious ceremonies to eating it in the form of a 'paan', betel leaves contain many curative and healing health benefits. The leaves are full of vitamins like vitamin C, thiamine, niacin and many more. It has many medicinal values from giving relief from constipation, gastric pain, diabetes. It even eases bronchitis, relieves cough and treats respiratory problems. 

This refreshing drink is highly beneficial for kids as it help increasing the appetite. My all three kids thoroughly enjoy it to the core. I am sure yours will love it too! So what are you waiting for? try this easy peasy recipe today.


Serves: 2 glasses
INGREDIENTS 
2-3 betel leaves (Paan ke patte)
1 tbsp gulkand (rose
2 tsp sugar
2 tbsp vanilla ice-cream or whipped cream (optional)
2 glasses cold milk

METHOD
Take betel leaves and discard the end part of it. Chop it with the help of knife or scissor. Add chopped leaves, gulkand, sugar and 1/4 cup milk.


Grind to make smooth paste. Add rest of the milk and ice cream. Pulse it one more time.

Pour in serving glasses and serve with ice cubes.

Pictorial:

1. Wash betel leaves (paan ke patte).

2. Discard the stem or end part of it.

3. Chop it with the help of knife or scissor .

4. In blender jar or mixer jar add leaves, gulkand and sugar.

5. Add little milk and blend to make smooth and fine paste.

6. Now add ice-cream and remaining milk. Pulse it one more time.

7. Creamy and refreshing paan drink is ready to serve.


















8. Serve chilled.


NOTES:
1. Two betel leaves are enough for 2 glasses of shake. if you like stronger flavor or taste add one more leaf.

2. Make sure you grind it as fine as possible as kids don't like to have leaves coming in their mouth.

PINEAPPLE MOJITO

Mojito is a perfect drink that is served during hot summer months which is incredibly easy to make. This homemade Pineapple mojito will beat the ones served at famous outlets like KFC.

INGREDIENTS 
For 1 glass of pineapple Mojito you require:
1 tsp sugar
1/2 lemon (cut into 4 wedges)
3-4 cubes of pineapple
3-4 mint leaves
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup sprite / limca (I used limca)
1/2 cup water
5-6 ice cubes
a pinch of black salt (optional)

METHOD
Take serving glass add sugar, pineapple cubes, black salt and lemon wedges, muddle with the help of muddler or use back side of wooden spoon. Add mint leaves. Add pineapple juice and stir well.


Add water and top with limca / sprite. Add lots of ice. Serve Chilled.

If you don't have pineapple chunks just add juice or you can substitute chunks with juice.


Pictorial:










1. In a glass, add sugar, lemon wedges and pineapple chunks. Muddle with the back of wooden spoon.











2. Don't muddle too much, just a little to take out the juice of lemon and pineapple.












3. Add mint leaves.

4. Pineapple juice.

5. Add water.











6. Top with limca.

7. Add ice-cubes.

8. Serve chilled!