Sudka: Golden Saffron Milk with Toasted Nuts

This warm, cozy, and aromatic drink is pure comfort in a glass during the winters. Made with ghee-roasted gram flour, warming spices, and saffron, it is nourishing, fragrant, and topped with a crunchy nut garnish. Traditionally enjoyed in winter to help relieve symptoms of the common cold and cough, the blend of spices and ghee offers natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. Apart from being used as a winter tonic or home remedy, it is also perfect for sipping before bed as a comforting and flavourful drink, especially on colder nights.

Serves: 1 person

Time: 15–20 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 1 tbsp besan (gram flour)

• 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)

• ¼ tsp dry ginger powder

• 1/8 tsp white pepper powder

• 4–5 saffron strands

• Cardamom powder (from 1 pod)

• 1¼ tsp sugar

• 6 pistachios, 2 cashews, 4–5 almond slivers (crushed)

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Instructions

1. Heat a small pan on medium heat. Toast the nuts for 2–3 minutes until crunchy. Crush them in a mortar and pestle. Set aside.

2. In a saucepan on medium heat, add ghee and once it is hot, add the gram flour.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low and roast the gram flour with constant stirring for 5 minutes until aromatic and deeper in colour.

4. Add room temperature milk to the roasted gram flour gradually while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil which takes about 5-6 minutes.

5. Add saffron and let the milk boil for another 3–4 minutes.

6. Turn off the heat. Stir in cardamom powder and sugar.

7. Pour into a glass and top with crushed nuts. Serve warm for maximum benefit.

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Notes

• Gram flour, also called besan, is sometimes confused with chickpea flour, but they are different. Chickpea flour is made from whole chickpeas, whereas besan is made from a legume called chana dal. Besan is easily available in all Indian grocery stores.

• You can adjust the sweetness of this drink as per your liking.

• This drink is best enjoyed hot/warm to get maximum benefits.