This Refreshing Badam Milk is a popular Indian drink made with milk and fresh almond paste,
flavored with cardamom n saffron making it an aromatic & flavorful drink!
Ingredients
4 cups whole milk or low fat
28 almonds
Xylitol Sugar or honey to taste. (I added four tablespoons xylitol)
2 tsp crushed fresh cardamom (you can add more or less)
Pinch of saffron (half teaspoon)
Drop of rose essence, saffron, edible rose petals and crushed almonds for garnish
Method
Soak the almonds in hot water for at least two hours then remove their skin.
In a food processor or blender, blend the almonds with 1/4 cup of the milk until the mixture reaches a grainy paste-like consistency. Set aside.
Over low heat, use a metal ladle to toast the saffron. Once the saffron dries out and becomes aromatic, use a mortar and pestle to crush it into a powder. Set aside
Add the remaining milk and the almond paste to a saucepan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Stir constantly so that the milk does not burn.
As soon as the milk reaches a boil reduce the heat to low, add the sugar/honey, tiny drop of rose essence and the spices, and continue to cook for 20 minutes stirring constantly, allowing the milk to thicken.
Remove from heat and let cool. Once cooled to room temperature, place in the refrigerator to chill.
Once chilled, pour into a glass and garnish with saffron strands, edible rose petals, and crushed almonds. Serve. You can also have it hot, but chilled is the best.
