Kesar Basoondi

One of the traditional Indian sweet is Basoondi-It comes in many flavor now days in West Bengal (Eastern ghats of india) .Basoondi is a rich Indian sweet. Basoondi is basically Rich milk Bangoli sweet ,flavored with saffron fruits or nuts. Normally served chilled and garnished with various nuts etc. Since basoondi is highly rich in calories, it is normally a festive treat. Basoondi has a thicker consistency than rabdi.
Serves: 4.

Ingredients:

• Full Cream Milk 2 ltr.
• Pistachios Chopped Thinly1 TABLE SPOON
• Almonds Chopped Thinly1 TABLE SPOON
• Chirownji (Sunflower seeds) 1 T.Spoon full(optional)
• Kishmish (green raisens) 1 Table spoon (washed just before adding )
• Saffron few strands (dissolved in 2 tablespoon warm milk )
• Sugar 1 cup (or more according to taste)

Method :

1. Boil milk in a heavy bottomed pan and cook after 1 boil on medium - low flame until it reduces to half and comes to semi thick constancy .
2. Keep stirring to avoid burning/browning/scorching.
3. Stir in sugar, saffron milk and let the sugar melt completely.
4. Remove from heat and chill the thickened milk.
5. Garnish chilled basoondi with Kishmish ,Chirownji, sliced pistachios and almonds and serve.

Handy Hint:
Make sure to stir the milk frequently to not burn it.

Suggestions:

If Basoondi is thin - leave on low flame for few more minutes till it becomes thick.

Variations:

Basoondi can be flavored in various ways. Variations include Rose petals,pinapple,chocolate,Rosogulla (cottage cheese sweet) , orange - Just mix your favorate fruit with same essance (2-3 drops only). Sometimes almond paste is added to basoondi to give it a nice texture.

MILK

KITCHEN CURE / MILK

Milk has long been glorified as a wholesome balanced diet. Justifiably so. It suits practically all age groups as an ideal supplement. Apart from being a rich source of good quality protein it contains calcium, phosphorous, riboflavin and many essential amino acids. However, it is deficient in iron and vitamin C.

MILK AS THERAPY

• Sipping cold milk in small amounts provides almost instant relief from acidity and peptic ulcers.
• 
  Milk boiled with 5–6 long peppers (pippali) checks catarrh, cough, asthma, allergies and also helps increase lung stamina. Also, this preparation checks the formation of gas in the body.
• 
  A generous dose of gulkand or isabgol taken with hot milk before bed time helps relieve constipation.
• 
  Bananas and milk together form instant energizers and also have the potential to increase vigor and vitality.
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• Have a glass of banana shake everyday to feel energized!
• 
  Raisins soaked in diluted raw milk when consumed with honey boost sharpness of vision and also help to strengthen the functioning of the heart.
• 
  Drink a combination of water and raw milk to relieve any burning sensations you may experience while urinating.
• 
  Ayurveda recommends the regular consumption of ghee and milk to arrest and even reverse aging.

Handy Hints:

Heating milk changes its molecular structure, thus making it easier to digest. If, while boiling, you add in a pinch of ground turmeric, a pinch of black pepper powder, a cinnamon stick or a few pinches of ginger powder, you can reduce the heaviness of milk and reduce any mucous-causing side effect.