What is the first thing that comes to mind when "beat the heat with cool treats"?
The Indian summer sun can be brutal, leaving us all yearning for something cool and refreshing. Who needs store-bought treats packed with artificial flavours and colours when you can whip up delicious homemade ice cream and popsicles in your kitchen?
Here are delightful recipes that are perfect for the Indian palate and use readily available ingredients.
This recipe celebrates the king of Indian fruits! Blend ripe mangoes with condensed milk, cream, and a touch of cardamom powder for a creamy and flavourful ice cream. For an extra twist, add chopped cashews or pistachios for a delightful crunch.
Take your love for Falooda to the next level with this creamy kulfi-inspired ice cream. Combine reduced milk with sugar, chopped nuts, and rosewater for a fragrant base. Layer this with crushed falooda sev and frozen kulfi pieces for a textural and flavourful treat.
Embrace the flavours of Holi with this vibrant Thandai ice cream. Soak almonds, poppy seeds, and melon seeds in milk with fragrant spices like cardamom and fennel seeds. Blend this mixture with condensed milk and cream for a refreshingly floral ice cream.
Quench your thirst and beat the heat with these tangy Aam Panna popsicles. Blend raw mango pulp with water, mint leaves, and a touch of sugar for a refreshing base. Freeze in popsicle moulds for a delightful treat on a scorching afternoon.
This recipe is a playful fusion of two classic Indian desserts. Blend reduced milk with rosewater and chopped gulab jamuns for a fragrant base. Pour this mixture into popsicle moulds and freeze for a unique and delicious treat.
Lassi is a popular yoghurt-based drink enjoyed throughout India. Transform it into a 'cool' treat by blending plain yoghurt with your favourite fruits like mango, strawberry, or banana. Add a touch of honey for sweetness and freeze in popsicle moulds for a healthy and refreshing popsicle.
Phirni, a creamy rice pudding dessert, can be enjoyed frozen as well! Cook rice kheer with milk and sugar, then flavour it with cardamom or saffron. Pour the mixture into popsicle moulds and freeze for a creamy and delicious treat.
This recipe takes inspiration from the popular Maharashtrian dessert, Shrikhand. Blend hung curd with sugar, saffron, and chopped nuts for a creamy and flavorful base. Freeze in popsicle moulds for a delightful and refreshing popsicle.
For a truly unique and refreshing treat, try Jal Jeera popsicles! Combine cumin-flavored water with chopped mint leaves and a touch of lemon juice. Pour the mixture into the moulds and freeze for a tangy popsicle, perfect for a hot summer day.
For a taste of paan without the betel nut, try these innovative popsicles. Blend rose syrup with chopped candied fruits and a touch of fennel seeds for a fragrant base. Freeze in popsicle moulds for a unique and flavourful treat with a distinct paan flavour.
Get creative and experiment with different flavours and ingredients! Add chopped fruits, chocolate chips, or sprinkles to your ice cream base for a personalized touch.
So, ditch the store-bought treats this summer and whip up these delicious homemade ice creams and popsicles for a refreshing way to beat the heat!
