Thandai, the flavorful traditional drink, is a must-have during the colorful festival of Holi. But this year, let’s add a modern twist with Thandai Chia Pudding that’s both delicious and healthy!
Thandai isn’t just tasty; it’s also packed with good stuff like Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, iron, calcium, and protein. This recipe lets you tweak it to your liking. Want more protein? Just add protein powder. Not a fan of dates? Use your favorite sweetener instead.
Here’s what you’ll need for the Thandai Masala Mix (about 3/4 cup):
- 2.5 tablespoons almonds
- 2 tablespoons cashews
- 1 tablespoon pistachios
- 2 tablespoons dried edible rose petals
- 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- A pinch of saffron
- About 5 dates, soaked in warm water (or your preferred sweetener or protein powder)
Start by soaking the nuts overnight or for 5 to 6 hours. Then, blend everything together to make the Thandai masala mix. You can make this mix ahead of time and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors blend.
For the Chia Pudding, you’ll need:
- 2 cups Fairlife Milk (2%), almond/oat milk, or any nut milk you like
- About 4 tablespoons chia seeds (adjust for thickness)
- About 1/4 cup Thandai Mix (about 2 tablespoons per serving, adjust to taste)
Mix the Thandai mix with the milk (add the dates here if you didn’t include them earlier). Blend it well and pour it into mason jars. Stir in the chia seeds and let it sit in the fridge overnight to set. When you’re ready to enjoy, top it with dried rose petals, saffron, and pistachios for a fancy touch.
This Thandai Chia Pudding isn’t just tasty; it’s also good for you! Each serving has around 400 calories, 22g of protein, and 13g of fiber. Plus, you can store it in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days, so you’ll always have a yummy treat ready to go.
So this Holi, shake things up with Thandai Chia Pudding! It’s a fun and delicious way to celebrate this colorful festival with friends and family. Happy Holi! 🎉✨
