Dry Fruit Milkshake Recipe for Good Health

A dry fruit milkshake is a tasty and nourishing beverage that combines the benefits of milk with dry fruits to give your health a complete boost. Loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats, this milkshake is an excellent option for anyone wanting to enhance their diet with natural, energy-boosting aspects. Rich in fibre, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, dry fruits like dates, cashews, walnuts, and almonds promote skin health, heart health, and better digestion. They make a rich and satisfying drink when blended with milk, making it ideal for lunchtime snacking, breakfast, or even a recovery drink after working out. This shake is a wonderful treat for kids and adults alike because of the richness of the milk and the added sweetness of dates or honey. Consuming this shake consistently may improve your overall health, levels of energy, and vibrancy.

Health Benefits of Dry Fruit Milkshake

With regard to the beneficial vitamins and minerals it contains, a dry fruit milkshake offers numerous health benefits. Dry fruits and milk combine to make a superfood that is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and good fats that can promote general health. Let us list the benefits of this delicious drink in detail.

Rich in Nutrients: Nutrient-dense dried fruits include dates, cashews, walnuts, and almonds. Walnuts and almonds provide heart-friendly omega-3 fatty acids, and dates are an organic supply of iron and fibre that can help with constipation prevention and digestion improvement.

Boosts Energy Levels: Dates in particular contain natural sugars that provide you with a rapid energy boost. This milkshake is the perfect beverage for athletes, busy people, or anyone who needs a boost of energy during the day because it contains milk's protein and calcium.

Supports Heart Health: Almonds and walnuts include monounsaturated fats that reduce bad cholesterol and minimise the risk of cardiovascular illnesses due to their antioxidant qualities.

Strengthens Bones and Teeth: Calcium and vitamin D, which are essential for healthy bones and teeth, are both abundant in milk. It is further improved by mineral content present in dry fruits, such as phosphorus and magnesium, helping improve skeletal health.

Improves Skin and Hair Health: Dry fruit smoothies are a great way to add vitamins and antioxidants to your regimen for healthy, glowing skin and hair.

Aids Weight Management: Dry fruits' substantial amount of fibre helps you feel satisfied for longer, and this suppresses cravings and supports appropriate weight management.

This nutrient-rich beverage can be enjoyed every day as a treat to help you lead a better lifestyle.

Dry Fruit Milkshake Recipe

Step 1: Place three to four dried figs in a water bath set at a high temperature for thirty minutes, or let them soak for at least one to two hours, until they become soft. You may eliminate the soaking step if the dried figs are ripe. Soak the dried figs if they're hard and crunchy. You can also soak dates if they are hard. You won't need to soak them if they are soft.

Step 2. Transfer all the dry fruits and nuts mentioned below, excluding the saffron, into a dish or strainer.

• One-half cup almonds
• One-half cup cashews
• One-third cup of raisins
• 7 to 8 dates; ¼ cup shelled and unsalted pistachios

Step 3: Rinsing them is an optional step. Before utilising dry fruits or nuts in a recipe, always give them a quick washing. You could instead choose to soak the almonds and raisins in boiling water for half an hour. You may opt to peel the almonds if you want to. The skins of the almonds and pistachios should be peeled for young children.

Step 4: After the figs are soft, coarsely slice them.  Next, coarsely cut the dates and remove any seeds that may have been present.

Step 5: Blend the dates, cut figs, raisins, and washed nuts.

Step 6: Pour in ½ cup of cold milk. You can also use soy milk. Almond milk, dairy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk are all options.

Step 7: Incorporate a small amount of saffron. Saffron emits a lovely, subtle scent, but the pure variant is rare and expensive. So simply ignore it in case you cannot access it. Add a pinch of grated or ground nutmeg, or ½ teaspoon each of ground cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg powder for flavour and a wonderful scent.

NOTE: Adding warm spices like nutmeg and saffron to your milkshake during the winter or monsoon is a great idea. Cardamom and cinnamon are refreshing spices, consequently better to use in summers or hot days.

Step 8: Mix to a paste that is semi-fine. If desired, you can create a fine paste. Make an extremely fine paste if you're making it for little children.

Step 9: Pour in the final two glasses of milk. Add one or two tablespoons of raw sugar, if you'd like, as well. One may substitute palm sugar or coconut sugar as an alternative to raw sugar.

Step 10: Transfer the milkshake with dry fruits into glasses and proceed to serve immediately. If you want to, you can sprinkle it with some chopped almonds or pistachios or a few strands of saffron. Try to consume the milkshake the same day, but keep any leftovers chilled for a few hours.

Bonus Tips

Nuts: You can add any kind of nuts to this milkshake, as long as they're not bitter or rancid. Since they are readily available, try using cashews, almonds, and pistachios. However, you can also add pistachio nuts, walnuts, pine nuts, or hazelnuts. Make use of the ratios and mixtures that you like.

Dates: Pick good quality dates for the most exquisite flavour. To save time and avoid having to deseed the dates before blending, using pitted dates for this recipe is a good idea. They are also easier to cut.

Dried figs: Dry figs should be avoided since they could be difficult to combine. It is recommended to soak the dried figs in hot water for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes to soften them before mixing.

Milk: Soy milk is full of nutrients and has a mildly pleasant creamy flavour. However, alternative plant-based milk like almond, oat, or light coconut milk can also be substituted. You can use dairy products too.

Spices: Add ½ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or one to two pinches of nutmeg to the milkshake recipe to taste it. Another beautiful alternative is to add rose water. During the colder months or the monsoon, include warm spices like nutmeg and saffron in your milkshake.  In the sweltering summer months, cardamom and cinnamon are great additions because they are cooling spices.

When to drink: I frequently skip dinner when I drink this milkshake because it is packed with nuts, dried fruits, and milk. It is also an excellent option during fasting seasons.

Why Consume Dry Fruits Everyday

Dry fruits are a great addition to your diet because they provide various health benefits when consumed daily. 

• Rich in nutrients and full of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants are dry fruits such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and raisins. 
• They provide a great source of heart-healthy fats, especially unsaturated fats, which lower bad cholesterol and enhance cardiovascular health in general.
• Dry fruits are also abundant in protein and fibre, which support healthy digestion and help rebuild muscles. Their high fibre content makes them an excellent snack for managing weight, as they also help prevent constipation and regulate bowel motions. 
• Additionally, vital nutrients found in dry fruits include calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which promote healthy bones and blood sugar management.
• Dry fruits, that are high in antioxidants, assist in reducing inflammation and safeguard the body from oxidative damage, which lowers the risk of long-term conditions like cancer and heart disease. 
• They are also sweet by nature, which makes them a more nutritious option than sweet snacks and desserts.

Nevertheless, since dry fruits are packed with calories, it is extremely important to eat them in moderation. Usually, a small amount (about 30 grams) daily is plenty to obtain the advantages without consuming an excessive amount of calories. Dry fruits may be eaten in a variety of ways to accommodate a range of tastes and preferences. 

Different Ways to Consume Dry Fruits

Snacking: Consuming dry fruit as a snack is the most straightforward method. You can eat walnuts, cashews, raisins, and almonds straight for a wholesome and rapid energy boost.

In Smoothies: Dates, apricots, or figs are examples of soaked dry fruits that can be mixed into smoothies. They are wonderful for a nourishing morning meal or snack because they are organically sweetened and have a creamy texture.

In Breakfast: Incorporating finely chopped dry fruits such as walnuts, almonds, and apricots into cereals, oats, or yogurt not only improves taste but also adds additional fibre and good fats.

In Baking: You can use dry fruits in your cake, muffin, or cookie recipes. Using them in recipes increases their nutritional content and adds a natural sweetness and crunch.

In Salads: Salads are enhanced with a wonderful crunch and naturally sweet flavour from the sprinkled dried fruits, which also highlight the freshness of the veggies.

In Savoury Dishes: To create a contrast of sweetness and savoury flavours to rice pilafs, curries, or stews, dry fruits such as cashews, almonds, and raisins can be used.

These approaches make dried fruits delicious and appropriate for everyday consumption.

Conclusion

An excellent choice for a healthful refreshment that incorporates natural sweetness with essential vitamins and minerals is a dry fruit milkshake. A rich, creamy drink that is satisfying and invigorating can be made by blending several dry fruits, such as almonds, cashews, dates, raisins, and figs, with milk. A daily smoothie with dry fruit enhances immunity, facilitates better digestion, supports heart health, and generally makes you feel better. The dish is a delicious and easy way to nourish your body, and it matches well with a balanced diet to ensure you stay healthy.

FAQs

Q1. Why is starting your day with dry fruits a good idea?

A healthy and energising morning can be established by beginning your day with a wholesome serving of these delicious and nutritious treats. There are multiple benefits to eating dry fruits right away in the morning, like supplying your body with vitality and a nutritional boost that speeds up your rate of metabolism.

Which dry fruits should be soaked in water?

The dried figs need to be soaked before you can prepare this fruit smoothie. Soak the firm figs for up to two or three hours in boiling water. One can soak them for half an hour in hot water if you think they are too hard.

What fruits can be mixed with milk?

Fruits like avocados and mangoes that are ripe, sweet, and buttery can be combined with milk. Steer clear of citrus fruits and acidic fruits.

Can I add apples to this dry fruits milkshake recipe? 

If you are going to use dairy milk to prepare this milkshake, stay away from adding fruits like apples. A fruit now and then is okay, but most fruits don't pair well with dairy milk and can make you feel nauseous. Apples can be added to any regular nut milk or vegan milk.

Can I store the dry fruit paste in the fridge?

Yes, you can keep it in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that the rancidity of the dry fruit paste happens quickly. It could stay good for up to two days in the fridge. Soak the almonds, cashews, and pistachios in water for a few hours if you wish to keep the nuts fresher for longer. When removing all of the water, let them air out and dry. Crush or mix the dried nuts to make a powder. The powder can then be refrigerated or frozen.