Every winter my grandmother used to place jars filled with dry fruits in different places around the house. She made sure our ears were covered and feet were warm. Oiling our hair regularly was a must for her, too. Now that I am a mother, I am following some of these same rituals. I swear by her homemade remedies like ginger tea, cinnamon water, and turmeric milk. But the one healthy winter drink that has always passed the mommy test is Magic Milk.
The minute I feel that nip in the air, I make sure my kitchen is well stocked with gram flour or besan, turmeric or haldi, almonds and milk. This healthy winter drink is rich with antioxidants, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory properties. My 5 year-old boy and girl twins have benefited from it time and again. This drink is a perfect remedy for congested chests. Warm and gooey, it ensures a sound sleep, too.
So here it is, the secret from my Indian grandma’s kitchen chest.
Magic Milk
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp ghee or unsalted butter
- 1 tsp gram flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 glass of milk
- A pinch of turmeric
- 2-3 powdered almonds
Step 1 – In 1 tsp ghee or butter, roast the gram flour until it turns golden brown.
Step 2 – Add the glass of milk, and stir well (make sure there are no lumps) on a low flame.
Step 3 – Bring to a boil, and add sugar and turmeric.
Step 4 – Stir until it thickens to a white-sauce consistency. Add powdered almonds, and serve hot.
Health benefits of Magic Milk:
Gram Flour – Also known as Besan, gram flour is made of chickpeas and helps keep hearts healthy, cholesterol low, and allergies at a distance.
Turmeric – It is anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and a natural superfood.
More importantly, this winter drink tastes like Indian Halwa or Indian dessert with a custard like consistency. So tonight, when your kids are enjoying grandma’s tale, treat them to a cup of this healthy yet tasty winter drink. Good Night, or as we say in India – Shubh Ratri!
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This sounds delicious!Always on the lookout for healthy drinks (and sugar free or low sugar drinks) for me & the kids. I can´t get garam flour where I live.Is there anything I could substitute it with?thanks for the recipe!
Hi Tracey, I am so glad you liked this. However I checked with my mom for the gramflour substitute. According to her the taste and the warmth to soothe the system, comes from gramflour only. However, what you can do is add saffron and turmeric to milk and that too is very beneficial
Charu our grand moms always had amazing recipes and goodness of those will last forever. This is even better than turmeric milk which became famous worldwide. My grandmother used to make something similar without the gram flour. I am going to try this and see how different it tastes.
Oh yes Prerna I love turmeric milk too. Even saffron milk actually. But do try this, it really does help
Appears to be delicious. Not only kids, even elder people enjoy this drink. Indeed, it’s a magic drink. Each ingredient is nutritious and together form a product which heals the body overall.
And I love how tasty it is too
Ok thanks a lot! I will try adding the saffron & tumeric to the milk until I can get hold of some garam flour! Looking forawrd to trying it and hopefully getting my kids to try it too!!
Do let us know, if and when U try it
Just one question I have before I can go ahead and make this drink….are powdered almonds: ground almonds? Thanks!!
Yes dear.