Background
I have always been very fond of milkshakes and smoothies. All my colleagues used to have tea and coffee at work and they used to be surprised to see me having cold milk even when it was snowing outside. Whenever I go out to a coffee place, I always eye their shakes list. Normally I play it safe and end up having strawberry or a mixed berry smoothie.
Recently, I have been making sweet lassi, mango smoothie, banana smoothie and cold coffee in my blender a lot. I remember in Westfield shopping center about two years ago, I was handed over a free sample of a shake. I couldn’t guess what it is but the taste was very different and it was very energising. He told me that it is a date shake. I couldn’t really absorb the idea at that time so I never was motivated enough to try one myself.
Last week, I went to Juicy Gossip in Islamabad, and the waiter offered me some free sample of ‘date and almond’ shake. Just out of curiosity, I tried it and loved it so much that I ended up having the whole glass. I got so inquisitive that I wanted to find out the best recipe for that. I decided to add oatmeal in it as well to make a really healthy, energising yet delicious recipe for my folks. I would like to share this simple recipe with you now in Ramadan, when our fridges are already stocked with dates.
Although there is nothing wrong in staying within your comfort zone and our tendency to have the same things over and over, but sometimes the monotony gets to us and its healthy to try something new and different. What I love about this shake is that, Firstly, it is made up of only healthy ingredients so it is very nutritious. Sugar is normally the most harmful ingredient used in all shakes. This one doesn’t require even a smidgen of sugar. Secondly, its taste is very different. The almonds in this shake will give it a unique texture which most of you would like. Thirdly, shakes are so easy and take seconds to make so this would make an ideal drink for your Iftar or Sehri during Ramadan.
Date, Almond & Oat Shake
Ingredients
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2.5 table spoons of oats (I use Quaker Oats)
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6-8 seeded soft black dates (I use Irani Black dates)
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7-10 raw almonds
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6-8 ice cubes
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2.5 cups milk
Method
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First of all, crush the oats in a hand crushing Pestle and Mortar so that the oats are reduced to powder form.
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In a small frying pan, carefully dry roast the oats to bring the nutty aromas. It hardly takes a minute or two. The oats slightly change the color also. Keep aside once done.
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Now in a blender, add only almonds and pulse till all the almonds are reduced into powder form.
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Now add the dates into the blender along with half a glass of milk and pulse till the dates are crushed fully.
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Now add ice cubes, remaining milk, dry roasted oats, and pulse till it has reached a creamy consistency.
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Garnish with crushed dates, almonds or oats if you’re serving guests.
- Always use small glasses to serve this shake as it is quite heavy and its ingredients are a bit costly also.
Note
In case you really can’t get oats, this recipe is good enough with out them also. Dates have been referred to as the fruit of faith, holy spirit, righteousness and paradise. Some of its vital benefits are underlined in this chart. For more benefits click here. Following dates, you will see the benefits of almonds and oats in a chart.
Last words
I hope you will try this recipe with its unique taste. I played a game with my folks when I made it for them yesterday. I said I will let you drink it and then guess what it is. The answers I got were pretty hilarious. ‘Sugar, honey and chocolate milkshake’ was the best. Irrespective of their random answers, they all agreed that they liked the taste. Hope you have a good day and wish you all a very happy Ramadan.
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