Holi feast with Special Ragi Thandai with Chia Seeds

Yeah, we must be careful about this Holi. We don't have to greet with an embrace, avoid public places and perhaps celebrate without getting drenched. But I am not going to let the virus take a toll on my heart like a true Indian. I can always celebrate with care and good food of course.

Even though the whole world is terrified by the outbreak of coronavirus and there is more demand for hand-sanitisers than holiday colors, if we adopt a few hygiene steps, note that nothing is lost.

For me, washing hands and staying safe with our loved ones are what defines the Holi 2020. And while I've got my menu ready, I have something really nutritious and interesting to share as a Holi treat today.

I recently concluded a special Holi workshop where my participants learned how to prepare Holi millet delicacies. The menu included Baked Gluten-free Gujiyas, Zero Oil Millets Dahi Badas, Baked Millet Kachoris and a few hung curd Parfaits as dessert. But the Ragi Thandai, a drink made with finger millet and tons of nuts and seeds, was what emerged as a showstopper.

It was organic, had lots of good nuts and seeds and was made with a millet that works wonders for our immunity and general well-being to top it all. So, if you're nervous about the viral attack, here's something to cheer you up, calm down, and enjoy the color festival. My digital participants too loved this simple-peasy recipe and couldn't avoid using messages to enjoy it.

Read more for the step by step recipe of homemade Ragi Thandai and its numerous health benefits.

Ragi Thandai with Chia Seeds

Ingredients:

♦ 1/4 cup Almonds

♦ 2tbsp Poppy seeds

♦ 2 tbsp Fennel Seeds

♦ 1 tbsp Melon Seeds

♦ 1 tbsp Rose Petals (dry)

♦ 20-24 Black or white Peppercorns

♦ 1/2 Cup Mishri Powder Or Powdered Sugar

♦ 2 Cups lukewarm Water

♦ 4 tbsp pre-roasted Ragi Flour

♦ A few Saffron strands

♦ Cardamom Powder

♦ 1tsp Chia Seeds

♦ Ice cubes

Preparing Method:

》 Soak in almonds, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, and melon seeds, clean and dry rose petals, 1 hour black peppercorns in a cup of lukewarm water.

》 Now add 4 tbsp of pre-roasted finger millet (Ragi) flour in a deep saucepan and whisk it with 1 cup of lukewarm water with continuous stirring. Bring the mixture to a boil, and let it cool.

》 Mix the mixture of soaked seeds and nuts to a fine paste and sieve. Attach the saffron strands to the fridge and allow to chill.

》 Mix the chilled paste of nuts and seeds with the Ragi water mixture when serving, and apply powdered sugar or mishri powder. Then apply some powdered cardamom, Chia seeds then ice cubes

Finger millet, Poppy seeds, Melon seeds, Black pepper nutritional benefits

Ragi helps keep a check on blood sugar. Low in glycemic index, high in dietary fibre, antioxidants, it eliminates unhealthy cravings in food and helps to reduce weight. It strengthens skin tissues and helps reduce anxiety, depression and sleeplessness. Ragi is a rich source of calcium and iron and also plays an important role in enhancing immunity. High levels of dietary fiber, B vitamins and several essential minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and zinc, all related to digestive, cardiac and immune health, are present within the tiny poppy seed.

Melon seeds are a nutrient powerhouse, such as folate, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium. Such seeds are considered highly nutritious, since they are also rich in complexes of amino acids, proteins and vitamin B. Together all these nutrients help to boost metabolism in your body. Black Pepper increases cholesterol levels, regulates blood sugar and health of the brain and intestines.