Royal Milk shake/ Dates, Fig and Nuts Smoothie

In my household, all members I, hubby, my daughter and son are down with runny nose and bad cold. Poor princess doesn’t know why nose is runny all the time. Other guy was crawling all around without know why in the world I am getting constant Niagara Falls in my two little nose. My cooking spirit has taken a back seat as stuffed nose and headache is making a constant reminder that I am here for some time, don’t worry. I am trying all over the counter medication that is available to make me better.

My hubby is political enthusiast, who loves to watch and read all political news and he is one teaching me about the numbers and debate and deficit. So Tuesday we got to bed around 1.00 in the morning (early Wednesday morning) after watching the president win the term for next 4 years. My son who is 9 month old loves to watch political discussion than Sesame Street which his sister plays on TV.

 See who is watching meet the press

Two weeks ago I won the giveaway of natural  delight medjool dates and date rolls with almond and dates rolls with coconut by Garrett who blogs at Vanilla Garlic.

 He is an excellent blogger and cook, who is now writing a cook book. It will be ready in the store soon.  I love reading his blog; it touches the heart, and then there is also yummy food. Dates were so fresh and delicious, initially I was planning to make our sweet chutney with dates, and then changed mind after seeing a cookery show about a juice shop in my hometown (where anchor who painfully repeat everything). Owner of the shop is making and showing varieties of fresh juice as he is serving the customers. He didn’t give any measurements so whatever depicted here is my version.

 I was little curious when he made this smoothie/shake, as he is dumping, dates, figs, cashew nuts, almond, ground ginger, cardamom and milk. He used sugar as sweetener, but he also mentioned that he will serve this shake/smoothie with honey if you pay little more. I didn’t want any sweetener as dates and figs are naturally sweet. He named it royal shake as it has expensive fig, nuts and dates are there. I thought, it has all the favorite ingredients in it why don’t I should try. Asked hubby, and got his approval and made this one on morning. Trust me it delicious, it is really rich and creamy if you like creamy pudding then this is one. After doing a taste test hubby told me it is like our Payasam/pudding.  I think this will be better than any Protein drink in the market. I used milk here as shown in the show, but if you want to make it vegan try with coconut milk. I also used blanched almond as with the skin I feel it is bitter in taste. 

Then comes dreaded photographic session, I don’t have much props, so when I want to take this smoothie it is colored as chocolate and dull, not looking good. Then I try to incorporate few elephants from my collection but ended up rejecting all those pictures. After the stressful photos session was over, savoring this drink was wonderful. If you are a fig, dates and nuts lover, try this and you will love the taste for sure. If you want extra sugar please feel free to add.  This smoothie is really a savior during busy morning.

First soak the dates in the water so that it will be soft and your blades in the blender will be safe. Chop fig and blanch the almond. Easy way of blanching almond is heat ¾ cup water in microwave safe bowl for 1 minute high. Add almond, after 2-3 minutes take them out and just rub with your finger skin will be gone by that rubbing.

In a jar of blender, add cashew nuts, blanched almonds, soaked dates, fig and dry ginger and cardamom and pulse for 5 minutes with ½ cup milk. Once it is done add rest of milk plus water and blend it for another 2-3 minutes. You will get rich creamy smoothie.

Delicious !!!

                                                        Print Recipe 

Royal Shake/ Dates, Figs and Nuts Smoothie

 Adapted from Jaihind TV Cookery Show

Prep Time    30 minutes

Cook Time    15 minutes

Serves    4

Ingredients:

6 no Dates ( I use Medjool natural delights) (soaked in

 warm water for about 30 minutes)

5 no Fig

1/5 Cup Cashew nuts

25 no  blanched almond

1 ½ cup Milk ( I used 2 % milk)

2 cup Water

2 no  crushed Caradamom

1/8 teaspoon dry ginger

Steps:

First soak the dates in the water  for about 30 minutes so that it will be soft and your blades in the blender will be safe. Chop fig and blanch the almond. Easy way of blanching almond is heat ¾ cup water in microwave safe bowl for 1 minute high. Add almond, after 2-3 minutes take them out and just rub with your finger skin will be removed with rubbing.

In a jar of blender, add cashew nuts, blanched almonds, soaked dates, fig and dry ginger and cardamom and pulse for 5 minutes with ½ cup milk. Once it is done add rest of milk plus water and blend it for another 2-3 minutes until consistency you want.

This is creamy and delicious.

Variations:

• If you want vegan  try with coconut milk
• Add nuts of your choice.