Things to do with Thandai powder

Come spring, every year around holi, mom and I prepare a huge batch of Thandai powder. Thandai by definition is something cooling. Its a mixture of ingredients that help you replenish your salts and sugars after a hot day in the sun. Two things that I enjoy making with Thandai is Thandai cake and a Thandai Lassi. 

But first the Thandai powder:

Ingredients:

1 tbsp Almonds
1tbsp Pistachio
1/2 tbsp Fennel seeds
1 tbsp Watermellon seeds seeds
1/2 Khus/ poppy seeds
1 tsp Black pepper whole
15 pods whole cardamom
1tbsp dried rose petals

Blend together well in a mixie and store in an airtight container in the freezer. Use all summer long.

Thandai Cake
This cake is a lovely eggless cake which I have been baking on Holi day. Its a great substitute to deep fried gujiyas and an absolute novel idea when presented well. 

Ingredients 

1 1/2  cup all purpose flour (maida)

1 cup yogurt( room temp)

4 tbsp milk

6tbsp homemade Thandai powder 

1/2  cup powdered  sugar 

1/4 tsp baking soda 

1 1/4 tsp baking powder 

1/2 cup refined oil

2 cardomom pods coarsly powdered 

1 tsp dehydrated rose petals (opt) 

1/4 cup chopped nuts( almonds and  pistachios) 

6-7 saffron threads

1/2 tsp rose water  

A few sliced pistachios and rose petals for topping 

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200C. Sift the refined flour and keep aside
2. Whisk together yogurt, milk, thandai powder, saffron, sugar, rose water and  cardamom powder till creamy
3. Sprinkle baking soda and baking powder, gently mix and leave aside for 2-3 mins 
4. Once the mixture turns frothy mix in oil 
5. Gently fold in the sifted flour (make sure not to overmix) 
6. Mix in the petals and nuts .Pour in a greased and dusted 8" pan sprinkle the sliced pistachios and  petals  on top and bake in a preheated oven at 200C for 10 mins
7. Reduce the temp to 180 and further bake for 30-35 mins or till the toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean
8. Cool for 35- 40 mins unmold, slice , sprinkle some powdered sugar, chopped rose petals and serve

Thandai Lassi

Ingredients

1tbsp Thandai powder

1 cup yogurt

1 cup milk

honey or sugar according to taste

5-6 ice cubes

Method

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend till all the ice is crushed and we have a frothy mixture. 

Pour in a tall glass. Enjoy a glass of thandai lassi when you come home from the hot summer sun.