Let tasty milk treats take off the heat this summer

Fresh milk and milk products have wide ranging benefits, supplying the body with a plethora of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fats, calcium and protein. They can be consumed throughout the year; however, summer months are special since this is the time when milk and milk products come real handy in beating the heat. As the mercury continues to rise, here’s how you can use milk and milk products to keep cool and stay healthy.

Yummy milk shakes–Probably the best option you can try this summer to beat the heat and enjoy great taste and health. The best part is that you can try a wide variety of milk shakes such as coffee, chocolate, mango, banana, Sapodilla (chikoo), custard apple (sitafal), pineapple, papaya, and lots more. You can have it outside in a restaurant or make a fresh one on your own at home. It’s quite simple and you can have any of these ready in just a few minutes.

Butter Milk (chaas/taak) – This is a non-sugary delight that will quench your thirst and cool you down. This is the byproduct that comes from the process of making butter from milk cream. It tastes awesome and is loaded with minerals, which are great for your body during summer months. While you can get this easily at various food stalls, you can also prepare it at home. A quick and easy way would be to buy plain butter milk and later add your favorite garnishing to enhance its flavor and cooling potential.

Lassi–When taken in ample quantities, this has the potential to not only cool you down, but also put you to sleep for at least a couple hours, especially when it’s loaded with heavy milk cream on top.  You can get this easily in the northern parts of the country such as Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Punjab, etc. You can also prepare at home; all you need is some chilled yogurt, milk cream, some sugar, some ice and may be some cardamom powder and saffron for added flavoring.

Ice cream–Choose from the wide variety of flavors available in the market or make your own at home, especially the tantalizing Indian variety, popularly known as kulfi. You will need the best full cream milk, some sugar, flavor enhancers such as cardamom powder and dry fruits such as almonds and pistachios. You can find your favorite recipe online, make your kulfi and try it out with family and friends on a hot summer afternoon.