PANAKAM ~ A Traditional Healthy Drink

Panakam is a traditional drink prepared in Indian households, particularly South India. One of the ancient recipes prepared by our ancestors to consume during summer and also distributed in temples on special occasions in summer. Panakam is a delicious combination of jaggery, tamarind juice, dry ginger powder and cardamom. The ingredients used tell us a lot about the wise choice and knowledge our ancestors possessed about what they consumed according to the season. Each of the ingredients used has its own health benefit and most importantly it balances the three doshas of our body.

I would call it an instant refreshing thirst quencher and definitely a healthy option when compared to Colas and other aerated drinks. It is prepared during Rama Navami festival (Birth of Lord Rama) as Neivedhyam (offering to God) in large quantities and distributed to all.

Refreshing, delicious. body coolant, thirst quencher, healthy, simple ingredients, no cook drink - Do we need another reason to prepare it? Here comes my twist to this wonderful drink, without spoiling its original taste at the same time not compromising on the healthy ingredients.

I had a good stock of lemons at home (a usual for summer) and wanted to put it to good use. Lemonade is nice but  I hate monotony! At the same time, I din't want to use it in cooking, I was looking for a drink. Ah! why not replace tamarind juice and prepare panakam was the instant thought. All excited to experiment, I started juicing the lemons but ho, I ran out of jaggery! Not wanting to use sugar, I used palm sugar syrup, which I prepare and store to use when required for sweet dishes. Also, it will give the colour which tamarind juice gives if I had used that. Enough said, let me give you the recipe now.

INGREDIENTS

Lemon - 3

Palm sugar syrup - 1/2 cup (adjust according to tatse)

Water - 31/2 cups (adjust according to taste)

Dry ginger powder - a pinch

Cardamom - 3-4  

METHOD

Cut the lemon and remove the seeds, squeeze the lemon by hand or using a sqeezer. Pour the lemon juice in a wide vessel or bowl and mix the palm sugar syrup using a spoon. Add water and give it a good mix. Please adjust the syrup and water according to your taste. Add the dry ginger powder. Using a mortar and pestle, pound the cardamom and add it to the juice. Mix well and serve. 

VEGAN DATES SMOOTHIE

This smoothie is an ideal breakfast for kids as well as adults. It's vegan too! Made with Arabian dates and raw peanuts, it has all the necessary nutrients for a power packed breakfast. At home, I avoid using sugar as much as I can so I've used honey for this one. You can use sugar if you prefer.

*Peanuts are not only good in taste they're also rich in monounsaturated fats and numerous other nutrients that have shown to promote heart health. It's a legume and not a nut! They're rich in antioxidants and folic acid. They're low in carbs but packed with protein, vitamins, fibre and minerals. It has a low glycemic index, hence suitable for diabetic patients too.

Since we're using raw peanuts here, it should be soaked in water overnight or at least for 6-8 hours. This eliminates digestive issues caused by having raw peanut. Please don't skip this process. It is necessary.  

INGREDIENTS

For a big glass of smoothie

Raw peanuts - a handful, soaked in water overnight. 

Arabian dates - 6

Honey - 1/2 tbsp 

Water - 1 cup or more

METHOD

Blend the nuts with little water to a smooth paste, then add dates and honey. Use more water if required to get the smoothie consistency. Pour it in a glass and enjoy! 

 Note

Feel free to use any fruit of your choice along with dates or without dates. 

*Source - www.whfoods.com 

HOMEMADE COFFEE ICE CREAM - EGGLESS

Delicious homemade ice cream! I've already shared the recipe for basic vanilla bean and mango ice cream. This is for the coffee lovers. Mild and egg-less.

INGREDIENTS

Milk - 100 ml (cold)

Amul cream – 1 liter

Milkmaid – 400gms

Instant coffee pwd - 1 small packet

METHOD

Whip the fresh cream (750 ml) using a hand mixer until high peaks are formed. This will take about 15-20 mins. Mix the coffee pwd with very little warm water and add it to the milk.Take another bowl and add the milk, milkmaid, and give it a mix. . Now add the whipped cream to this mixture and stir using a spatula until all the ingredients are mixed well. Pour the contents in an airtight container and place it in a freezer. Take it out after an hour, add the remaining cream (250 ml) and beat it using a hand mixer in medium speed for about ten to fifteen minutes and place it back into the freezer. Let it set for about three hours and whip it again using a blender for 15 mins. Put it back into the freezer and let it set for 6 hrs before serving. It melts fast at room temperature so place it back into the freezer immediately after serving. Add chocolate chips or any topping of your choice and enjoy!!

HOMEMADE MANGO ICE CREAM

Homemade ice creams are a special treat especially when its free from artificial colours and flavours. This mango ice cream tastes creamy and delicious with no colour or artificial flavour added to it. Its also egg less!It's also free from stabilizing agents and stays good for even a month if stored in an airtight container in the freezer. 

INGREDIENTS

Milk - 100 ml (cold)

Amul cream – 1 liter

Milkmaid – 400gms

Mango puree - 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp 

METHOD

Whip the fresh cream (750 ml) using a hand mixer until high peaks are formed. This will take about 15-20 mins. Take another bowl and add cold milk, milkmaid, puree and give it a mix. I prefer fresh mango puree but you can even use store bought puree. Now add the whipped cream to this mixture and stir using a spatula until all the ingredients are mixed well. Pour the contents in an airtight container and place it in a freezer. Take it out after an hour, add the remaining cream (250 ml) and beat it using a hand mixer in medium speed for about ten to fifteen minutes and place it back into the freezer. Let it set for about three hours and whip it again using a blender for 15 mins. Put it back into the freezer and let it set for 6 hrs before serving. It melts fast at room temperature so place it back into the freezer immediately after serving.

2 MINUTE EGG-LESS MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

As the title suggests, it's an egg-less cake made in 2 mins!! When ever I'm tempted to have a nice, moist chocolate cake, this recipe comes in handy. It can be made in no time and tastes yummy. This recipe gives about 2-3 pieces just enough to satisfy your temptation without making you feel guilty of having a whole cake. This recipe is also of great help when you want to make a quick dessert at home.

INGREDIENTS

All purpose flour- 4 tbsp

Cocoa pwd- 1 tbsp

Nutella- 1 tsp

Melted butter- 2 tbsp

METHOD

To a microwave safe bowl/dish add all purpose flour, cocoa pwd, nutella and melted butter. Mix well and keep on high temperature for about 2 minutes (or a minute, depending upon your oven temperature) and Voila! The moist chocolate cake is ready!

CREAMY VANILLA ICE CREAM

Ice cream- A summer treat and loved by almost everyone. I prefer the softy Italian ice creams than the usual ones available and this is an excellent recipe if you love creamy ice creams. It is easy to prepare and tastes good even after a month (when stored in a good freezer).

Ingredients

Milk - 150 ml (cold)

Amul cream – 1 liter

Milkmaid – 400gms

Vanilla bean- 1 OR Vanilla essence - 1 tsp

Method

Whip the fresh cream (750 ml) using a hand mixer until high peaks are formed. Take a bowl and add cold milk, milkmaid and give it a mix. Slit the bean lengthwise and scrape the vanilla seeds into the mixture. Now add the whipped cream to this mixture and stir using a spatula until all the ingredients are mixed well. Pour the contents in an airtight container and place it in a freezer. Take it out after an hour, add the remaining cream (250 ml) and beat it using a hand mixer in medium speed for about ten to fifteen minutes and place it back into the freezer. Let it set for about three to four hours before serving. It melts fast at room temperature so place it back into the freezer immediately after serving.

Enjoy your treat with chocolate sauce, chocolate chips or fruits.