Badam/Almond Powder

Ladies and gentlemen; attention please. If you are buying off the shelves Badam energy drinks or badam powders. Stop. Think twice. Commercially packaged almond drinks and powders don’t provide the same benefits as whole almonds. No, not even close.

Most of the readymade powder contains base ingredients as other milk powders or starch or just water, and many a times synthetic nutrients. Homemade almond milk/ almond powder is extremely energizing and a nutritious drink. And you know exactly what is going into your stomach.

Almond milk is easily prepared if you have a few almonds and a good blender at home. For those of you who do not have enough time to make almond milk from scratch, this recipe will make your work easier. Prepare small batches of almond powder and refrigerate in an air tight container. All you have to do is mix the powder with your regular cow’s milk. And for those with lactose intolerance, you can mix it with water as the base.

1 cup of whole almonds will give approximately 1 cup of almond powder.

Blanch the almonds by dunking the almonds in hot boiling water for a minute or two. Drain the water.

Peel off the skin of the almonds and pat them dry.

Chop the peeled almonds into halves and quarters. This step is optional. I chop the almonds to ensure more dryness, ensuring maximum shelf life and plus it’s easier to grind.

Dry roast the almonds on a low flame till completely dry and start browning. It’s optional to add a cardamom or two, for flavouring. Saffron strands can also be added. Once the almonds cool, transfer into a grinder.

Grind on pulse for few seconds. The almonds should turn into a beautiful powder within 30sec pulse.  Over grinding can turn the almonds into a paste as the almonds release their oils.

Refrigerate the powder in an airtight container.

To use, mix a tsp or two of the almond powder in 2 tbsp of hot milk and boil once. Add more hot/cold milk to this and serve.

Add a tsp of this almond powder to homemade ragi powder and serve as porridge for your kids. Ragi and badam powders can be also mixed to make a healthy nutritious drink.

Find the recipe of Ragi Powder in the Nutri-knowhow column.

 Post by Zohra Sada