Paanak ( a refreshing, thirst-quencher).

Paanak is a traditional non-alcoholic beverage from my hometown. When someone mentions Paanak, it immediately brings to mind the picture of people playing with colors , squirting water-guns filled with colorful water at each other and basically drenching them. It is all in the spirit of camaraderie. Paanak is served to all the festivity revelers and the spectators standing in the hot sun. Paanak not only is refreshing and quenches the thirst, it is also rejuvenating! The jaggery in Paanak helps counteract hypoglycemia ( decreased blood sugar levels).

Holi is a festival of colors that is mainly celebrated in Northern part of India. Where I come from, which is the South Kanara region of Southern India, we have a similar festival of colors celebrated on the sixth day of Theru/Rathasaptami ( Chariot festival). The concept for both is the same!

Courtesy: Kannada Gotthilla ( facebook)

I therefore figured that this is a great recipe to share with all my North Indian friends! This is a jaggery -based drink that has the goodness of  lemon juice, ginger, cardamom and black pepper, making it also a great digestive aid for all the indulgence in rich food and desserts! It is very simple and easy to make!  Do try it. It is perfect also to sit at the beach and drink!

I am bringing these beauties to Throwback Thursday # 31 and Angie's Fiesta Friday #112!! Angie's co-hosts this week are Natalie @ Kitchen, Uncorked and Hilda @ Along The Grapevine.

Servings: makes three  5 oz glasses.

Ingredients:

Water: 2 cups
Ice cubes: 6-8 nos
Lime/lemon juice: from one small lime/lemon.
Jaggery: 3/4 cup, grated ( can be adjusted as per individual desired level of sweetness).
Ginger: 2 inch piece, grated
Freshly ground black pepper powder : 1/2 tsp
Cardamom powder: ground from  seeds from 2 pods ( around 1/4 tsp)

Method:

Add all the above ingredients to a blender . Pulse for 5-10 seconds!

Alternatively, add all the ingredients to a big pot. Mix well.

Serve chilled!

Enjoy!

Cooking made easy:

You could use ginger powder instead of grated ginger.

Ready-to-use cardamom and pepper powders and lemon juice concentrate can be used.

Sugar or honey can be used instead of jaggery.

Tip for healthy living:

Jaggery is a healthy alternative to sugar for most of our daily needs including coffee and tea.It is not processed. It is basically sugarcane juice that has been boiled and reduced. It is rich in iron.

Food for thought:

The face is the mirror of the mind, and the eyes without speaking confess the secrets of the heart. St. Jerome
Please do share your thoughts. Your opinion matters!