Holi : The festival of colours and Spring :
Holi means colour, fun and one more element that adds a high to holi every year is Bhang. Bhang is prepared from female cannabis leaves and flowers. One can prepare dishes like Bhang ke Pakorey, Bhang Lassi , Bhang Thandai, Bhang Masala Chai, Bhang Besan Halwa, but most widely and popularly used among them is the Bhang Lassi and Bhang Thandai. So we are sharing some exotic and intoxicating bhang recipes for you to enjoy Holi in more traditional ways.
Bhang Thandai :
Ingredients:
- 1and a 1/2 liter - Water
- 1 and a1/2 cups - Sugar (chini)
- 1 cup - Milk
- 1 tbsp - Almonds (badam)
- 1 tbsp - Watermelon/Cantaloupe seeds (dried and skinned) (kharboje ke beej)
- 1/2 tbsp - Poppy seeds (khus khus)
- 1/2 tbsp - Aniseed
- 1/2 tsp - Cardamom powder (elaichi powder)
- 1 tsp - Peppercorns (whole) (sabut kali mirch)
- 15 cannabis (bhaang)
- 1/4 cup - Dried or fresh rose petals (gulab ki pati)
- Take a pan and add 1/2 litre of water and sugar to it. Let it saok for 2 hours.
- Now in a separate bowl soak all other dry ingredients in 2 cups of water for minimum 2 hours. Now grind these soaked ingredients into a fine paste.
- Mix remaining water to the paste and strain it using a strong muslin strainer to extract the liquid into a vessel until the residue becomes dry.
- Now to this strained mixture, add milk and sugar syrup.
- Add the cardamom powder in the milk.
- Keep it for chilling in the fridge for 2 -3 hours before serving.
- Best served cold with chopped almonds.
Bhang Lassi
Ingredients:
- Bhang
- ¼ cup blanched Pistachios
- 2½ cup Yoghurt
- 2 tsp whipped Cream
- 2 tsp Khus Syrup
- Mix yoghurt, cream and khus syrup in a bowl and cool it in the refrigerator .
- Grind pistachios finely.
- Blend pistachios and Bhang paste for two minutes.
- Add yoghurt mixture and blend it for another two minutes.
- Best served with ice cubes.
Pleasure with Caution:
- Avoid drinking Bhang empty stomach, eat something before drinking it. Have sound breakfast on Holi.
- Do not make a cocktail with Bhang and other alcohol like wines, bear, whisky etc.
- Keep away bhang from children’s reach.
Note:
According to studies, there have never been any deaths due to cannabis overdose. But an overdose of bhaang led to the death of a 25 year old male who had already suffered from rheumatic heart disease. The deceased had consumed around 300 ml of bhaang and had died with 24 hours of consuming bhaang.
Dealing with Bhang Hangover :
- Have a glass of lemon water.
- Have a cup of herbal tea , rose or jamini flavour.
- Eat fibrous food Pulses, Peas, Cauli flower, Raspberries etc).
- Never ever pop in pain killers to get rid of headache.
- Have a good and sound sleep that makes your mind calm and relaxes your nerves.
Bon Voyage:
Careful consumption of Bhang is ideal to get a kick out of it, but don't go overboard. And do not let others trick you into it.Wishing you A Very Happy Holi.
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