Cardamom Milk- Elaichi Doodh

This drink is popular in the plains of North India and in Bengal.   Can also double
up as a light meal before bed.  Makes a healthy warming hot milk or a sweet
after dinner drink or a filling milk drink before bed (especially when one has had
an early supper).  A warm nut milkshake


Ingredients:  

• 3 tbsp. white poppy seeds dry roasted in a pan 
• 15 blanched almonds 
• 1 cup water 
• 3 cups whole milk 
• 1 tablespoon Poppy Seeds 
• 1/2 tsp. cardamom seeds 
• sugar to taste 

Method 


1. Dry roast poppy seeds in a heavy frying pan over low heat. stirring the pan
often so as not to burn it, for about 5 minutes. Combine the poppy seeds,
almonds and water in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal
blade and process for 2-3 minutes or until the nuts are reduced to a fine
puree. Add 2 cups milk and further blend on low speed for about 15
seconds.  
2. Pour the mixture through a strainer over a pan.  Press out as much liquid
as possible, then add the remaining milk and the cardamom seeds. Stirring
constantly, bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Reduce the heat to low
and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the sweetener.
3.  Indians will pour the milk back and forth from one pan to another to
make the milk frothy much like a low tech cappuccino machine. The frothy
milk is then served.