Festivals can get wonderfully chaotic. There is always food cooking on the stove, sweets missing from the kitchen, family members dropping by one after the other and somebody asking what happened to the drinking glasses. Amidst all this chaos, a cool drink in the refrigerator can do wonders.
This is where guruji thandai comes into the picture. This creamy, slightly sweet and full of spices beverage is recognisable because of the spices used in it. When served cold, it is really refreshing after a hefty holiday meal.
The Ingredients Do Most Of The Work
The basic thandai doesn’t require an exhaustive number of uncommon ingredients. While almonds and other seeds give it the creamy texture, the dried roses contribute to the floral flavour. While the cardamom and fennel spices add distinct flavours, the black pepper helps prevent the drink from being too bland.
Saffron can be added when there is some available. It is not essential, but a few strands give the drink a lovely colour and aroma.
When preparing the thandai, the quantities can be customised according to each household’s preferences. Some may want a thandai that is heavy on the nuts while others may like one with more milk content.
Give The Nuts Some Time
The only thing one needs to plan in advance is the soaking process. Almonds and the melon seeds need to be soaked for a few hours. This makes it easier to blend the soaked seeds.
After this, the outer layers of the seeds are to be stripped off and blended together with the other seeds. Also, grind the rose petals and spices and then combine all ingredients together. You may now add the chilled milk and sugar and keep tasting it as you go along.
That last bit matters. Recipes can give exact measurements, but sweetness is very much a personal thing. A drink meant for a family gathering does not have to taste exactly like the one made last year.
Take Some Work Off The Shopping List
The days before a festival are busy enough without making several separate trips for ingredients. An online grocery delivery app can make the preparation a little less hectic.
Almonds, melon seeds, rose petals, milk and the spices can all be ordered together. For those who would rather skip some of the preparation, guruji thandai can also be ordered conveniently and kept ready for the gathering.
It is a small convenience, but when there are several dishes to prepare, small conveniences add up.
Serve It Cold
The prepared thandai should then be refrigerated and allowed to cool. Thandai is much tastier when chilled rather than when refrigerated quickly.
When it is time to serve, make sure that you stir it before doing so. The nut mixture tends to sink at the bottom, especially if you leave the drink unattended for some time. If the thandai seems too thick, you may add some chilled milk.
A few chopped almonds or rose petals scattered over the top are enough. There is no need to spend ages decorating each glass when hungry guests are waiting.
The Best Part Is Sharing It
There is something quite nice about serving thandai to a room full of family. Traditionally enjoyed drinks do not require much explanation. Put a chilled glass in someone’s hand and, more often than not, the conversation simply carries on.
With an online grocery delivery app making the shopping easier, there is one less errand to worry about and a little more time to spend where it counts. Around a crowded festive table, that can be worth far more than it sounds.
