Anjum Anand's nourishing Ayurvedic drink makes a light breakfast if you had a heavy dinner the night before or if your system is sluggish. This is suitable for all doshas (body types: kapha, pitta, vata). Read more about the Ayurvedic diet here.
Ingredients
- 14 whole almonds (use only 8–9 if blending with milk or it becomes too rich)
- 3 medium-sized dates
- Few strands of saffron (optional)
- 220ml water, or half water, half rice milk,or any other milk
- Pinch of cardamom powder (made by grinding the seeds of one green cardamom pod)
Method
- 1. Soak the almonds and dates overnight in hot water.
- 2. In the morning, drain and peel the almonds. If using the saffron, infuse in 1 tablespoon of hot water for 10 minutes.
- 3. Tip the almonds into a blender with the dates and water or milk (if using cow’s milk, ideally bring to boiling point and cool before using). Blend, then stir in the saffron water and strands (if using) and the ground cardamom and serve.
Chef's tip
This Ayurvedic drink makes a wonderfully light breakfast if you have had a heavy dinner the night before or if your system is feeling a sluggish. It's very nourishing. Dates (soaked overnight) are a wonderful fruit for all the three doshas as they strengthen tissue and cleanse blood. When mixed with the soaked almonds, they become something of a health tonic and are said to increase ojas (meaning vitality, feeling of well being or bliss energy). If you blend the drink with water, use the extra amount of almonds but if using milk, the smaller quantity will be fine. This is suitable for all doshas (body types: kapha, pitta, vata). Read more about the Ayurvedic diet here. From Anjum's new book Eat Right for your Body Type.