Homemade Badam Milk Mix | Badam Milk Recipe

Badam Milk Mix, a delicious and healthy nut mix that is used to make a healthy drink by mixing it with milk. Badam milk is quite popular throughout India and even considered as a luxurious food because of the addition of almonds which is quite expensive. 

Badam Milk can be made either with the freshly grounded almond paste or with the instant powdered mix. Making badam milk with the freshly grounded almond paste is little time consuming however making and storing this Badam milk power/mix in a container comes handy for making instant Badam milk.

So if you have never tried this homemade badam milk mix then do give a try ! It's so easy to make with a handful of ingredients and the taste and flavor are really amazing and way better than any store bought instant mix.

Almonds

Almonds are the key ingredient in this mix. So use a good quality of almonds for great flavor and richness. In this recipe, i have used cashews in addition to the almonds. In our family, we like the combination of almond and cashew more than the almonds alone.

But it's really a personal choice so you can make this mix only with almonds too. It tastes equally good.

Saffron 

Saffron is the key ingredient for that typical badam milk flavor. So buy a good quality of safron and use it generously. I'm the person who rarely uses saffron in my cooking and rarely buys & stock it in my pantry.  So always skip when the recipe calls for it.

But for this mix, i wouldn't make it without saffron so i highly recommend to use it generously in this recipe.

Sweetener

Today, i have used panam karkandu / Palm sugar candy for the sweetness since i'm giving this to my toddler also. However you can use plain white sugar too. 

Also i have used only 1/3 cup of sugar candy which is very less for the given quantity so you can use up to 1/2 cup of sugar. Keep in mind that you can add more sugar later while making the badam milk too if needed. So keeping the sugar as minimal in the mix would be great.

Other uses of Badam milk mix 

• You can use a couple of tsp of this mix in the pancakes , it would tastes awesome.
• You can also use it in the onion tomato based curries like paneer masala, chickpeas curry. Add a few tsp of this mix in the end of making curries, it gives thickness and richness to the curry and also the mild sweetness balance out the other spices.
• You can use this mix for making Badam kesar kulfi too.

Ok, now let's check out how to make this Badam Milk Mix.

Homemade Badam Milk Mix

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Cooking Time : 10 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Health Mix | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Homemade Badam Milk, Badam milk, Healthy mix Badam Milk Mix, a delicious and healthy nut mix that is used to make a healthy drink by mixing it with milk.

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients

Almond - 1/2 cup

Cashew - 1/4 cup

Cardamom - 7

Palm candy sugar / Panam karkandu - 1/3 to 1/2 cup

Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp

Saffron - a big pinch

For Badam Milk

Milk - 1/2 cup

Badam Milk Mix - 1 tbsp

Procedure

First heat a thick bottomed pan, add the almonds and roast till the skin starts to turn brown and then transfer the almonds into the mixie/blender jar.

Next add the cashews and roast till dark spots appear here and there and then transfer the cashews into the mixie/blender jar.

Finally add the cardamom to the pan and roast it for  2-3 mins and then  transfer that into the mixie/blender jar. Let the roasted ingredients cool a bit and then grind into a coarse mixture.

Then add the palm candy, turmeric powder and saffron and grind into a smooth mixture. That's it! Badam Milk Mix is ready. Store it in the airtight container and use as needed.

To make Badam Milk.

Pour the milk in a saucepan, add the Badam milk mix and bring into a boil. Delicious Badam milk is ready. 

Pour into the serving glass and garnish with a few strands of saffron.

Related : How to make Rosemilk at home

Notes:

• Badam milk can be served warm as well as cold. It tastes good either way.
• For 1 cup of milk, you can use up to 2 tbsp of badam mix. 
  
  
  

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Korean Vegetable Pancake | Vegetable Pancake

Korean Vegetable Pancake, a delicious and easy to make pancake with lots of veggies. It's one of our family favorites so i used to make this often and we love to have it as breakfast or as snacks in the evenings. 

Toddler in our house is a huge fan of this pancake.That's main reason for frequent making of this pancakes. 

These pancakes are so good on their own and don't need any side dish. However, for adults, any  spicy sauces(like sriracha ) would be a great dip for these pancakes.

Vegetables 

For this pancake, i highly recommend to use cabbage, mushrooms,capsicum, sweet potatoes and spring onions without fail. 

Cabbage is the key for this pancakes. For the total 3 cups of vegetables, i use 1 to 1 & 1/4 cups of cabbage alone. It gives a nice texture to the pancakes.

Sweet potato gives mild sweetness that makes these pancakes so delicious.

Capsicum and spring onions are mainly for the flavor. Without these, the pancakes would be less flavorful and taste so different.

Mushrooms are for umami flavor . My favorite is brown mushrooms compared to white mushrooms because of its intense flavor.

Flour 

For this recipe, you can use mix of all purpose and atta flour and it tastes equally good as made with the all purpose flour alone. However, don't increase the amount of flour. The whole purpose of using flour in this recipe is to hold the vegetables together. So add as needed only.

Ok, now let's check out how to make these delicious Korean style vegetable pancakes.

Korean Vegetable Pancake

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Pancakes | Recipe Cuisine: Korean
Korean Vegetable Pancakes, Veg Pancakes, Korean Veg Pancakes Korean Vegetable Pancake, a delicious and easy to make pancake with lots of veggies.

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients

**Vegetables( thinly sliced) - 3 cups

All purpose flour - 3/4 cup

Salt - 1/2 tsp or to taste

Pepper powder - 1/2 tsp

Water - 3/4 cup or as needed

Oil - 2 to 3 tbsp

** I have used cabbage, mushrooms, spring onions, capsicum, sweet potatoes. 

Procedure

Cut all the vegetables into thin slices. Cabbage, mushrooms, spring onions, capsicum, sweet potatoes are the commonly used vegetables in this pancakes. Put all vegetables in a bowl and then add salt and pepper.

With your hand, mix all the vegetables well and then add the flour and water.

Mix it all well until the mixture holds together when you form a ball. Heat the oil in a thick bottomed pan.

Take a portion of mixture and place it in the pan, then gently spread it like a patty. 

Cook it on a medium flame until both sides are golden brown.

Delicious Vegetable pancakes are ready.

Related : How to make Baozi / Chinese Steamed Bun

Sometimes, i like to sprinkle a tsp of white sesame seed on top of the pancakes. It really enhances the flavor. If you like the sesame flavor, you can do that!

Notes:

• Be a little generous with oil for crispy pancakes.
• You can make this as small pancakes or as one big pancakes like pizza and then cut into desired shape before serving.

It tastes good even when it cools down completely. So i always make some extra when i make it for breakfast and have it as snacks for that evening. 

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Strawberry Jam Without Pectin | Easy Homemade Strawberry Jam

Strawberry Jam, a delicious and easy to make jam with fresh strawberries. We love strawberries and mostly have it as it is, but occasionally i make this strawberries jam especially for the kid. It's so flavorful and absolutely delicious with a piece of bread. 

Usually many commercial jams are made with pectin which is used for thickening the jam and gives that jelly-like consistency. However, in general, when i make jams at home, i don't use any pectin but still the texture is so nice and easily spreadable on bread. 

So if you would like to make jam at home in small quantities without pectin, then definitely give a try on this super easy jam recipe. 

Strawberries 

For this jam recipe, all you need is strawberries, sugar and some lemon juice. So the flavor, color and the taste of the jam  purely depends on the quality of the strawberries. 

I have tried this jam a couple of times before and i found that the freshly picked strawberries from the farms are so good for making this jam compared to the store bought strawberries. But if you're having only store bought, go ahead and make it by all means and it will still taste so good. 

Sugar

The main advantage of making jam at home is that you can adjust how much sugar you want in the jam. If you feel that the store bought jams are super sweet and hurts your teeth, then you can easily reduce the sugar quantity in this recipe.

For this recipe, the given quantity of the sugar is for moderate sweetness. However, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries, you may need less or more  sugar as i mentioned. So give a taste test when the sugar is completely melted and adjust if it needs more. Just a gentle reminder, if the strawberries are so tart then definitely it needs more sugar to balance out the taste.

Ok, now let's check out on how to make this super easy and delicious strawberry jam.

Strawberry Jam Without Pectin

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Jam | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Strawberry Jam, Easy Jam recipe, Strawberry Jam without pectin Strawberry Jam, a delicious and easy to make jam with fresh strawberries and without pectin.

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients

Strawberry - 1 lb

Sugar - 1/4 cup

Lemon Juice - 1 tbsp

Butter - 1 tbsp

Procedure

First wash the strawberries, remove the top and cut the strawberries into small pieces. Heat the sauce pan with butter. Once the butter starts to melt, add the strawberries and mix it well with the butter.

Then put the lid on and cook the strawberries till they are soft. Once they are soft, add the sugar.

Next squeeze the lemon juice into it and then mash the strawberries with a masher.

Then put on the lid again and cook the mixture till they are glossy and thick. Switch off the flame and let it cool it completely and then put it on air tight container.

Delicious Strawberry Jam is ready !

Related:How to make Strawberry Pancakes with Strawberry Sauce

Notes:

• I like a few chunks of strawberries in my jam, so mashed it gently.
• Keep it refrigerated for longer use.
• Switch off the flame when the jam is slightly runny so that it comes to perfect consistency when it's cooled down.

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Granola, a delicious and healthy breakfast/ snack food made from rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits.The flavor and the taste from the home made granola is really amazing !! Make them in bulk and store them comes handy for breakfast on busy mornings. 

When we were newly married, most of the days, our morning breakfast was some kind of  store bought cereal. Before marriage, ST was so used to having cereals for morning breakfast in the US, so later when i had joined him, i too followed the same because i didn't know anything in cooking back then. Initially i liked it without bothering much about how healthy it is for breakfast and all. Later it's kind of bored and started to make the typical tamilnadu breakfast such as idli/dosa for breakfast. 

Now it's more than 3 years since we bought a pack of cereal from the store. Instead i have been making this granola at home and we liked it so much more than any store bought cereal that we had tried so far. It's such a simple recipe and ready in 20 mins, it can be served with milk  for breakfast or with yogurt as a snack.  Before moving to the recipe, let's answer all the basic questions that might have popped in your head about granola.

Which oats is best for granola?
Old fashioned rolled oats is best for making granola. Don't use the quick 2 mins oats for this recipe

Which oil is best for making granola?
My personal choice is coconut oil. I love the mild coconut flavor in the granola. But you can use the olive oil, canola oil or any flavorless oil also.

What are the nuts taste best with granola?
In today's recipe, i have used almonds alone. But you can use whatever nuts you like.  Almonds, pecans, cashews and walnuts also taste good with granola.

Honey or maple syrup for granola?
Again it's purely a personal choice. I like maple syrup over honey any day. Also i have read that using honey helps to clump the granola together, so if you're into clumpy granola, use honey or half and half of both

How to make clumpy granola ?
Personally i don't like clumpy granola, so haven't tried all those tips available online for making clumpy granola. Like i said before honey helps to make clumpy granola. Another tip is to press the oats well and bake it. Once it's out of the oven, don't stir it immediately, let it cool naturally, all these help to get clumpy granola.

When to add dried fruits in granola?
Add the dried fruits into the granola once it's baked, no need to bake them, it's easily burned in baking. 

What are the other things to add granola?
Seeds can be added in granola. Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and sesame seeds are taste great with granola. 
In addition to that coconut flakes or slices can be added. Personally i like to add desiccated unsweetened coconut flakes into my granola. The flavor of coconut goes well with the oats and it's my favorite ingredient in making granola.

Homemade Granola | How to make Granola

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 20 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Breakfast | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Homemade Granola, How to make granola, Granola with almonds, Granola with coconut, Maple Syrup,Coconut oil Granola, a delicious and healthy breakfast/ snack food made from rolled oats, nuts and dried fruits.The flavor and the taste from the home made granola is really amazing !!.

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients
Rolled Oats - 2 cups
Almonds - 3/4 cup
Raisins - 1/2 cup
Desiccated Coconut - 3 tbsp
Coconut Oil - 1/4 cup
Maple Syrup - 1/4 cup
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Vanilla extract - 1/4 tsp

Procedure

First take the coconut oil and maple syrup in a bowl, add salt & vanilla extract into it.Mix it all well together. Then add the oats and almonds(i have chopped them into half). Mix them well until all the oats coated with oil & syrup mixture.Preheat the oven @300 F. Line the baking tray with parchment paper and transfer the oats mixture into it. Spread them evenly as single layer and put it in the oven and bake it for 20-25 mins. Half way through take the tray out and mix it well and press it again and put it back in oven.Once the oats are out of oven, add the raisins and coconut. Mix it well. Let them cool completely and store it in air tight container.Healthy Granola is ready !! 

For more international breakfast recipe, check out here or if you do like pancakes, check out this amazing oats pancakes made from rolled oats.


Notes:

• Other than raisins you can add whatever the dried fruits you like
• Every oven differs slightly and so keep an eye on the oats while baking. 
• When the oats is well toasted, it's crunchy when it's cooled.  
• Instead of using chopped almonds, you can use as it as whole also.
• If you're coconut oil is frozen, put it in a bowl of hot water or microwave it until it's all melted.
• If you're making in large quantity, use large pan or do it in batch for even roasting of oats
• In addition to the vanilla extract,you can add 1/2 tsp of cinnamon flavor also for extra flavor.
• 

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Oats Banana Pancakes | Healthy Pancakes

Oats Banana Pancakes, a healthy & delicious pancakes made from oats & banana. Who doesn't like pancakes for breakfast, right?? I love it totally and often make them for weekend breakfast !! So i have been looking for other option for just plain flour and these oats banana pancakes are my recent favorite.

These Oats Banana Pancakes are so good, fluffy and naturally sweetened and it's hard to believe that there is zero flour in it. More over these pancake batter can be made in blender within mins, no need to whisk !!!  What else you need for perfect pancake recipe??

Make sure to use well ripen bananas for these recipe. Don't throw away the bananas with lot of black spots on it, they are best for this pancakes. It gives such a natural sweetness to the pancakes and flavors are really amazing. Trust me, oats and banana flavors are too good together !!!  

Now let's check out how to make these healthy and yummy pancakes!!! Looking for more pancakes recipes?? Here they are

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Strawberry Pancakes with Strawberry Syrup

Eggless Banana Pancakes 

Oats Banana Pancakes

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Breakfast | Recipe Cuisine: International
Oats Banana Pancakes, Oats Pancakes, Banana Pancakes,Breakfast Pancakes Oats Banana Pancakes are so healthy, delicious, fluffy & naturally sweetened and it's hard to believe that there is zero flour in it.

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients
Rolled Oats - 1 cup
Egg -1
Banana -1
Milk -1/3 cup
Vanilla Extract - 1/2 tsp
Maple syrup -1 tbsp + more for serving. Salt - a pinch
Baking Soda - 1/4 tsp
Butter - for making pancakes

Procedure

Put all the ingredients in a blender and grind into smooth puree. Pour into a bowl, your pancake batter is ready.Heat the pan and add a tsp of butter and spread it evenly. Pour the pancake batter in the pan and spread it slightly for even roundness. Cook it for 1 or 2 mins in medium flame and flip into other and cook it till it's golden brown and remove from the pan. Serve it with maple syrup and some fruits.

For more breakfast recipes, check out here

Notes:

• If the batter is not thick to pour, add couple of tbsp of milk and adjust the consistency.
• Use well ripen banana for great taste and sweetness.
• Instead of regular milk, you can use any plant based milk.
• Here i have used the rolled oats, don't confuse this with the quicker oats available in the markets.
  

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Eggless Blueberry Muffins | Breakfast Muffins

Eggless Blueberry muffins, a delicious breakfast muffins made from fresh blueberries. As it's cold here now, it's difficult to eat fresh fruits straight from the refrigerator, so tried to include them in oatmeal bowl, pancakes, baking items and so on. Last week, i had noticed a pack of blueberries siting idle in the refrigerator for a week and remembered this muffins from some hotel's breakfast that i had earlier. Since i didn't grew up eating this kind of home made stuff, for all western recipe i would search online for recipes and for baking, my first go to place is joyofbaking. Her detailed explanation on basic things makes it easier for novice bakers like me. So this recipe is adopted from joyofbaking and it turned out super soft, delicious with mild sweet. More than for breakfast, i would love to have this with evening tea, they are so perfect.

In the original recipe, egg is used. Since i halved the recipe and the recipe calls for only half a egg, i didn't want to waste the other half of the egg left out after used in the recipe, so totally skipped it, instead i have added the milk. I thought that the curd in the recipe itself would yield soft muffins and i was correct, it turned out so good.Now let's check out how to make this delicious blueberry muffins.  

Eggless Blueberry Muffins

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Makes : 12 
Recipe Category: Muffins | Recipe Cuisine: Indian
Muffins, BlueBerry, Eggless, Breakfast Ideas, Breakfast muffins Eggless Blueberry muffins, a delicious breakfast muffins made from fresh blueberries.It's soft, delicious and has mild sweet!!

Sandhiya https://www.facebook.com/SandhiyasCookbook https://www.instagram.com/sandhiyascookbook/

Ingredients
All purpose flour - 1 cup
Sugar - 1/4 cup
Curd - 1/2 cup
Milk -1/4 cup
Oil - 2 tbsp
Baking soda -1/2 tsp
Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - a pinch
Blueberries - 1/3 to 1/2 cup
Vanilla essence - 1/2 tsp

Procedure
Preheat the oven @ 350 F

First let's add all the wet ingredients in a bowl. Add curd, milk & oil in a bowl.Next add the vanilla essence & sugar into it and whisk it well until all combined together.In a another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together. Then add the blueberries into it and coat each blue berries with flour lightly.Pour the wet mixture into it and mix it all together.In a lined cup cake sheet, add a couple of tbsp of batter in each one and bake it in the preheated oven for 15-20 mins.Remove from the oven and let it cool on the wire rack. Tasty Blueberries muffins are ready.

Notes:

• Sifting the flour, baking powder & baking soda ensures there is no lumps in it.
• It makes 12 mini muffins and 6 regular size muffins.
• Instead of fresh blue berries, frozen can also be used.
• It stays good at room temperature for couple of days.
  
  
  

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