Jigarthanda – Madurai Special/Jil Jil Jigarthanda Recipe for Hot Summer

Jigarthanda is the most popular drink which originated in the South Indian city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Jigarthanda is a unique milk based drink, with two main ingredients Badam Pisin and Nannari Syrup[Indian Sarsaparilla] which has a cooling effect on the system. Badam Pisin is an edible gum collected from badam/almond trees. Badam tree bark secretes the gum and it gets dried up, which is later collected and used for medicinal purposes/ They look like little rocks which are white in color and an excellent natural body coolant. Badam Pisin is a natural jelly which can be consumed by everyone to beat the heat. Also check out how to make Badam Pisin Milk in the link and enjoy.

Nannari Syrup prepared from Nannari roots has numerous health benefits. It is an excellent natural body coolant, when had in the form of sharbets will keep us hydrated. It is an excellent blood purifier and a wonderful health tonic. Nannari syrup is an effective home remedy for stomach disorders, indigestion and relieves body pain. Jigarthanda drink has one other important key ingredient it is none other than the ice cream, you can either prepare ice cream at home or use a store bought one. I will very soon post the homemade ice cream for jigarthanda in my coming posts. For now friends do try out this extra cooling and tempting Jigarthanda and have a lovely day. Do check out other lovely milkshakes, ice creams, beverages etc in the link and post your comments here.

Here’s how to make Jigarthanda with step by step photos…

Cucumber Lassi/Salted Cucumber Lassi/Namkeen Kheera Lassi Recipe/Easy Indian Lassi Recipes/How to Make Salted Cucumber Lassi/Summer Special Recipes

Hello friends,

We all must have come across this healthy, light and refreshing Cucumber Lassi in all most all the North Indian restaurant menus. Lassi is an Indian yogurt drink with thick and creamy texture. Lassi can be made either sweet or savoury. Today I am going to share a savoury cucumber lassi, which is perfect body coolant and super refreshing. If you are on diet or on weight loss regimen then you should consume this cucumber lassi to improve your metabolism. Try out his lovely Cucumber Lassi and post your comments here. Meanwhile do check out other lassi’s and beverages here.

Here’s how to make Cucumber Lassi with step by step photos…

Murungai Keerai Soup/Drumstick Leaves Soup

Murungai Keerai/Drumstick Leaves soup is a simple and healthy vegetarian soup that can be made in a jiffy. Drumstick leaves have wonderful medicinal properties.  They contain all essential amino acids for the healthy functioning of our body. Regular consumption of drumstick leaves is highly recommended for anemic people. They are rich sources of antioxidants, proteins, potassium, vitamin A, C, B3, B2, iron and magnesium. Drumstick leaves helps in managing blood sugar levels. Regular consumption of drumstick leaves powder/murungaikeerai podi consumed regularly helps in managing blood sugar level. Do try out this healthy and flavourful soup and post your comment here. Meanwhile do check out other interesting and healthy murungai keerai recipes here.

Here’s how to make Murungai Keerai Soup with step by step photos…

Mango Lassi/Maambazham Lassi

As the name says it all, without any further delay I am moving on to this refreshing, cooling and addictive Mango Lassi. Try out this Mango Lassi and enjoy. Meanwhile do not forget to check out other Mango Recipes here.

Here’s how to make Mango Lassi with step by step photos…

Badam Pisin With Milk/How to use Badam Pisin[Almond Gum]/Badam Pisin – natural body coolant

Badam pisin or Almond gum is an edible gum collected from badam/almond trees. Badam tree bark secretes the gum and it gets dried up, which is later collected and used for medicinal purposes. They look like little rocks which are white in colour and an excellent natural body coolant. The famous drink of Tamil Nadu - Jigarthanda, Rose milk etc are prepared by adding Nannari sarbat to the badam pisin. The badam pisin is soaked overnight in water which then becomes like jelly; this jelly can then be used along with sarbats.  Badam Pisin is a natural jelly which can be consumed by everyone to beat the heat and keep the body cool. This is badam pisin milk is an easy and simple home remedy during the hot summer days. My grandma used to give this for us and now I do it for my kids or for myself. Do you really want to see how the badam pisin looks like and how it turns into a jelly, then scroll down further for more photos...

Here’s how to make Badam Pisin Milk with step by step photos…

Dates & Banana Smoothie

Are you looking for a healthy and a filling breakfast? Then here it is Dates & Banana Smoothie. Just blend it in the mixer and your on-the-go breakfast is ready. Dates are good source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, sugar and energy. These essential minerals and vitamins help in strengthening the bones, curing anaemic conditions, intestinal disorders, boosts the nervous health etc. Dates along with bananas and milk make this Smoothie a super-rich and healthy breakfast.

Here’s how to make Dates & Banana Smoothie with step by step photos…

Grape Juice - Easy Summer Drink

I mostly prefer to make fresh juice at home rather than juice from shops which has the preservatives or from concentrate. Grapes help in treating fatigue, indigestion, constipation, kidney disorders and prevent cataracts. This delectable fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, B6 and folate along with other essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium and selenium. Grapes contain very powerful antioxidants that help in slowing down ageing and reduce the damage caused by free radicals. So make sure to have grapes as such or in the form of juice to lead a healthy and active life.

Here’s how to make grape juice with step by step photos…

Badam Kheer/Badam Milk/Almond Milk with Saffron

Badam Milk is my all time favorite, I used to drink this in the evenings after coming back from school. But my mom used to make it with readymade mix available from the shops. It is a very healthy drink made in Northern part of India especially during special occasions and festivals. The recipe actually calls for sugar but sometimes I replace sugar with “panangkalkandu” as a healthy alternative.

So here’s how to make Badam Milk with step by step photos…

Masala Tea/Masala Chai - Making of Masala spice mix for Tea

I love to drink tea and when it comes to masala tea, I love the blend of spices infused together with the tea leaves makes me drink more and totally irresistible. Tea is drunk in all parts of India, but made differently in each place. My husband does not drink tea or coffee, I was like that until before marriage. But after marriage things changed I started to fall in love with tea and coffee. My father in law prefers to have cardamom/elachi  & ginger tea but started to have this masala tea and likes it a lot. Our families evening is complete only if we all have a cup of delectable tea and have a chat.

Here's how to make masala tea with step by step photos...

Salted Mint Lassi

Lassi is a refreshing drink made by blending yogurt with different ingredients. There are different types of lassi’s like the sweet lassi and salted lassi. Here is a mint flavored lassi, perfect for hot days…

Here’s how to make it…

Lemonade/Lemon Juice

Lemonade is a simple lemon juice, by squeezing some lemons adding sugar and salt. But is that it??? No, making perfect sugar syrup and adding right quantity of ingredients at the right time is very important to make refreshing lemon juice.  Drinking lemon juice is the perfect way to beat the heat…

Here’s how to make it…

Apple & Banana Milkshake

Do you want to start your day healthy and filling, than here it is - Apple & banana milkshake with generous amount of cinnamon powder and no added sugar.

Here’s how to make it with photos…

Paanagam

Paanagam is a special beverage made on auspicious days like Sri Rama Navami and for Amman as nivedhyam. Back in my native place (Nagapattinam – Thanjavur district), paanagam, neermore and rice kanji is made during the “Theru Thiruvizha” (Chariot Festival) which falls during the month of May and also during August (Aadi). This thiruvizha is really fun, there will be lots of folk and traditional dances like the oyil attam, mayil attam, garagattam etc. We need more than two eyes to see everything and enjoy at the same time. Paanagam, Neermore and Rice kanji are all  made in big barrels and distributed by volunteers to all devotees and to people pulling the “Theru”. The “Theru” starts from the main temple early morning and goes around the town (4 mada vidhi’s) and comes back to “Theradi” by late noon. All along the way, paanagam and neermore is given to public to boost energy to pull the Theru.

I still remember those days as a kid running along with the “Theru” and drinking paanagam and neermor with my brothers and sister. The paangam is a superb instant energy booster that can be had in any other day and also it helps to cool your body during the hot summer days.

Now coming back to paanagam, let’s see how it’s made …