BADAM KHEER / ALMOND KHEER

I wanted to try this kheer for a long time.Yesterday i prepared this for my hubby,. I refrigerated the kheer ,thawed & had it .So it was slightly warm not very cool.The taste was awesome. We loved it..I referred so many blogs for the recipe and finally came out with my version.Picture dint come out good :(

INGREDIENTS

• Almond –15 nos (**Blanched)
• Milk – 1/2 lit ( I used low fat milk )
• Sugar – 3 - 4 tbsp
• Hot Water – 1/2 cup ( to soak almonds)
• Saffron threads – A few (soak in little warm water before use )
• Cardamom powder – 1/2 tsp ( Optional. I used it )

METHOD

• Soak almonds in hot water for 10-15 mins.
• The skin comes out easily. Peel the skin and blanch the almonds.
• Grind it to a smooth paste adding little milk.
• In  a broad pan, heat the milk. When the milk starts to boil, add the almond paste and simmer the flame.
• The milk has to boil for 20-25 mins and the quantity gets reduced .
• By this time, the raw smell of almond also disappears and  milk gets thickened slightly.
• Now add the required sugar and mix well.
• Allow it to boil for 5 mins.
• Finally add the saffron milk. The color of the kheer gets changed .
• Add cardamom powder if necessary.

Refrigerate & serve chill or enjoy it warm. The choice is urs !!

KITCHEN CLINIC

BADAM /ALMONDS Throughout history, almonds have maintained religious, ethnic and social significance. Almonds are appreciated as a staple in the Indian culture not only for their crunch, but also for their nutritional qualities and their health sustaining properties. A seed from the stone fruit family, almonds are a rich source of nutrients, most notably Vitamin E and protein. A research conducted over the past decade has shown strong links of almond consumption with lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of lifestyle diseases, and overall wellness. Research into nuts has been so extensive that a qualified health claims for certain nuts such as almonds; ability to reduce the risk of heart disease has been approved by the Food and Drug administration in the US. - Almonds help in fighting diabetes and heart Diseases: The presence of powerful nutrients like proteins, dietary fibre, mono unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and Vitamin E make almond a rich diet source for combating degenerative diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. - Almonds are the best source of alpha-tocopherol form of Vitamin-E: Almonds are among the best whole food sources and the bet nut source of alphatocepherol form of Vitamin E. The U.S. National Academy of Science (NAS) recommends consuming 15 milligrams of alpha tocopherol Vitamin E per day. Alpha-tocopherol is one of the form of Vitamin E that is most efficiently used by the human body. - Almonds are a great cholestrol lowering food: Nearly 70 percent of the fat in almonds is mono saturated, a suggested substitute to saturated fats, to reduce the cholesterol levels. Research also shows that almond and almond oil have similar cholesterol-lowering effects. Infact eating almonds consistently lowers total and LDL cholesterol respectively by four and five percent. This cholesterol lowering effect is similar to heart healthy foods such as oats and soy. Almonds can be consumed in various ways. Their delicious tasty flavour relieves the monotony of the regular diets for diabetic and heart patients. Whereas there are still some myths associated with almonds that part us with the wide range of health benefits that this tiny fruit offers. Some of the common myths and their explanations listed below will help you do away with them. - Almonds should be soaked and peeled before eating: There is no scientific basis linking the practice of soaking almonds. The almond skin contains fibre, which is good for digestion. This is a misconception that you need to peel almonds before consuming but the fact is that the skin of the almonds contributes to a significant part of the fibre content, a nutrient important for regular bowel movement. The skin also contains anti-oxidants. - Consumption of almonds results in weight gain: Latest research has shown that a moderate-fat almond-containing diet results in greater satiety and sustained weight loss as compared to a low fat diet containing the same amount of daily calories. - Almonds can be consumed only in winters: Almonds can be consumed throughout the year. In fact, a nutritious diet consisting of almonds has been shown to be beneficial in combating lifestyle diseases such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. The common belief that almonds cause body heat has not been verified scientifically. But in peak summers, you can also consume almonds in the form of “Badam Sharbat” or “Thandai”. Almond is useful in memory improvement, delayed puberty and general weakness. The almond tree bears fruits with stone like seeds (or pits) within. The seed of the almond fruit is what we refer to as the almond nut. Almond/Badam Medicinal Properties The Almond Kernel is sweet, thermogenic, diuretic, nutritious, aphrodisiac, laxative, demulcent and nervine tonic. The oil is sweet, cooling, antispasmodic, sedative, rejuvenating and laxative. It is a delicately flavored food that can be used in different cuisine. Almonds are a unique package of nutrients – a good source of protein along with dietary fiber, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc and vitamin E. Almond/Badam Home Remedies It is used to treat the following conditions: Delayed Puberty Add crushed almonds, egg yolk, gingely/sesame powder and tsp of honey to milk. Consumption of this mixture by an adolescent helps in overall development and onset of puberty. Improved Memory Almond is popular for its property as a nervine tonic. Rich in nourishment and essential fats, almonds serve to enhance memory and intelligence. General Weakness Blanched, ground almond paste can be added to milk along with a pinch of saffron. Consuming this beverage everyday is very nourishing for pregnant women and other people with other debilitating conditions. This is also a good remedy for heart burn.