Cardamom Milk- Elaichi Doodh

This drink is popular in the plains of North India and in Bengal. Can also double up as a light meal before bed. Makes a healthy warming hot milk or a sweet after dinner drink or a filling milk drink before bed (especially when one has had an early supper). A warm nut milkshake
Ingredients: 3 tbsp. white poppy seeds dry roasted in a pan 15 blanched almonds 1 cup water 3 cups whole milk 1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds 1/2 tsp. cardamom seeds sugar to taste Method

1. Dry roast poppy seeds in a heavy frying pan over low heat. stirring the pan often so as not to burn it, for about 5 minutes. Combine the poppy seeds, almonds and water in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade and process for 2-3 minutes or until the nuts are reduced to a fine puree. Add 2 cups milk and further blend on low speed for about 15 seconds. 2. Pour the mixture through a strainer over a pan. Press out as much liquid as possible, then add the remaining milk and the cardamom seeds. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the sweetener. 3. Indians will pour the milk back and forth from one pan to another to make the milk frothy much like a low tech cappuccino machine. The frothy milk is then served.