I follow my Mum’s Badam Milk recipe whenever I want a comforting drink before bed. Badam Doodh is a sweet Indian milk drink made with almonds, sugar, saffron and cardamom. I love it both hot and chilled.

I keep the recipe quick and easy by keeping a jar of homemade Saffron Badam Milk Powder mix in the fridge. Making this milk takes only a couple of minutes whenever the craving hits!

A cup of badam milk on a table next to another cup. - 1

It’s a super creamy drink thanks to the milk, delicately sweet and perfumed with almond and cardamom. It has a delicious texture from the nuts and is filling too.

Our version also contains a pinch of saffron for added flavour. And we all know how well saffron pairs with nuts and cardamom!

I mostly make it at bedtime but you’ll find that Badam Milk is often served at special occasions and at weddings too. Fancy right?!

The traditional way of making this Indian almond milk is by soaking raw almonds, peeling then blending to achieve an almond paste then cooking with milk and sugar. I find this too long winded, especially when I want to make it in a hurry.

This Saffron Milk (Kesar Doodh) is a delicious alternative.

You will also love these creamy Indian Milk Sweets and Desserts recipes .

two cups of kesar badam milk on saucers with spoons. - 2

Badam Milk Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Whole milk – for the best taste use full fat milk but you can absolutely still make this with skimmed or semi skimmed milk too. I’ve made it dairy-free with whole oat milk too and the results were delicious!

Sugar – I use regular white sugar but brown sugar works too. Note that brown sugar may change the colour and the taste will be a bit deeper.

Badam Milk Powder – our homemade recipe consists of ground almonds, pistachio nuts, nutmeg, cardamom seeds, saffron strands.

I’ve garnished it with rose petals in the pictures because they’re so pretty! They don’t have to be a part of your recipe though unless you’re serving for a special occasion.

badam milk ingredients milk, sugar and badam milk powder placed on the table. - 3

How to make Badam Doodh

Heat the milk, sugar and almond powder in a saucepan or heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.

Stir continuously (otherwise the milk will burn) and bring it to a gentle boil.

Then, lower the heat and simmer the milk for another 4-5 minutes. Again, keep stirring! This allows the flavours from the nuts and spices to infuse into the milk and cook the milk so it doesn’t taste raw. Also, this gives time for the nuts to cook a little too.

Turn off the heat and serve hot. You can also serve it chilled on hot days.

Milk heating in a saucepan to make badam doodh. - 4 badam milk powder added to the milk in saucepan to make badam milk drink. - 5 badam milk simmering in the saucepan over the stove. - 6 A female hand is adding sugar in the badam milk recipe. - 7

Storage

Let it cool at room temperature then chill in the fridge. Consume before the use by date of the milk you have used.

badam ka milk garnished with saffron strands and rose petals. - 8

Other Indian Beverages

Check out these delicious modern and traditional Indian beverages

Sweet Lassi

Mango Lassi

Karak Chai

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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masala milk or masala doodh served in two cups on a table. - 9

Badam Milk

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoon badam milk powder

Instructions

  • Heat the milk, sugar and almond powder in a saucepan or heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.
  • Stir continuously and bring it to boil.
  • Then, lower the heat and simmer the milk for another 4-5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and serve hot or warm.
  • You can also serve it chilled on hot days.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Note:- This post was originally posted in February 2012 but I have updated the post since with newer photos and helpful content. The recipe remains the same.

masala milk or masala doodh served in two cups on a table. - 10

Badam Milk

Equipment

  • 1 Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoon badam milk powder

Instructions

  • Heat the milk, sugar and almond powder in a saucepan or heavy-bottomed pan on medium heat.
  • Stir continuously and bring it to boil.
  • Then, lower the heat and simmer the milk for another 4-5 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and serve hot or warm.
  • You can also serve it chilled on hot days.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

This delicious Basil Walnut Kale Pesto sauce recipe will transform your dishes! It is packed with fresh kale, basil, walnuts and takes only 5 minutes to prepare.

Vegan and gluten-free.

vegan kale pesto in a small wooden bowl. - 11
  • Kale Pesto Ingredients
  • How to make Kale Pesto – step by step instructions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • Storage
  • Other sauces/pesto recipes

I love this vegan pesto recipe whenever kale is in season.

When I buy a bag of kale, I usually have about half left over. This pesto is a great way to use up leftover kale.

Perfect for quick lunch or dinners as you just need to swirl it through pasta.

Vegan Kale Pesto recipe makes a nice alternative to basil pesto and you also get the added nutrition benefits from the kale.

This is a plant-based version using nutritional yeast but you can absolutely use grated parmesan if you wish.

You will also love this Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad .

Kale Pesto Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

Kale – use the leaves and the tender stems. Ensure the kale is as fresh as possible for the best flavour and results.

Basil – I love adding a bit of fresh basil to my kale pesto but you can leave it out if you do not have it to hand. Other fresh herbs such as parsley work so well too.

Nuts – I have used walnuts but you could use pine nuts or almonds too. Even sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds work well.

Garlic – fresh garlic cloves are best in pesto.

Extra virgin olive oil – use this generously for delicious pesto

Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice is best but you can use bottled

Red chilli flakes (optional)

Nutritional yeast – (optional) adds savoury flavour in replacement of parmesan cheese in this recipe. Alternatively, you can use hemp seeds or vegan parmesan

Salt and black pepper

Optional – italian seasoning.

How to make Kale Pesto – step by step instructions

In a food processor, add the kale, basil, garlic, nuts, red chilli flakes and nutritional yeast. Blend a few times to grind down to a coarse paste.

Add the lemon juice and oil steadily and continue to blend until the pesto reaches the desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

kale pesto sauce ingredients in a blender jar. - 12 vegan kale pesto sauce in a blender jar on the table. - 13 A female hand is holding a spoon of kale pesto with walnuts and basil. - 14 basil kale pesto bowl on a table with a spoon. - 15

Serving Suggestions

Toss through pasta or gnocci. Serve with gluten-free pasta.

Use it in this vegan bruschetta .

Use in this Grilled Zucchini Ribbon Salad .

Drizzle over roasted vegetables such as these air fryer cauliflower .

Storage

Store leftover kale pesto in an airtight container or jar and keep in the refrigerator. Use it up within 5 days.

You can also freeze pesto successfully – place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to defrost at room temperature. Note that this can affect the fresh flavor and taste

walnut kale pesto garnished with finely chopped walnuts and kale. - 16

Other sauces/pesto recipes

Basil sauce

Cilantro Pesto

Creamy Cilantro Sauce

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

  • Instagram
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  • YouTube
basil kale pesto bowl on a table with a spoon. - 17

Vegan Basil Walnut Kale Pesto

Equipment

  • 1 Blender

Ingredients

  • 2 cup kale packed
  • ½ cup basil
  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice lemon zest optional
  • 2 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • In a food processor, add the kale, garlic, nuts, red chilli flakes and nutritional yeast. Blend a few times to grind down to a coarse paste.
  • Add the lemon juice and oil steadily and continue to blend until the pesto reaches the desired consistency.
  • Season with salt and pepper.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Note:- This post was originally posted in January 2016 but I have updated the post since with newer photos and helpful content. The recipe remains the same.