By Deepali Verma
December 22, 2023
The health benefits of Indian gooseberries (amla), honey, and spices come together in homemade amlaprash, making it a nutritional powerhouse. An essential for general health, it helps with digestion, boosts the immune system, and gives you a natural energy boost thanks to its high vitamin C and antioxidant content.
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500 g amla 4-5 elaichi 1 badi elaichi 8-10 cloves 1 star anise 4-5 bay leaves 1 tbsp peppercorn 1 inch cinnamon ½ cup raisins, soaked in hot water 15 dates, deseeded & soaked in hot water One 4-inch piece of ginger 1 cup tulsi leaves 3 tbsp ghee 1 cup jaggery 10-15 kesar strands
Add the amlas to a steamer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until soft. Toss the cinnamon, elaichi, badi elaichi, cloves, star anise, peppercorns, and bay leaves in a dry roast pan and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Pulverise them into a fine powder after they have cooled.
Strain it, then set it apart. Combine the dates, raisins, ginger, and tulsi leaves in a blender with a small amount of water. Set it aside. Add the deseeded amla and process until it becomes a paste.
Add ghee to an iron pan. Add the amla paste & cook for 4-5 minutes. Add the jaggery & cook for 2 minutes. Add the date paste, the blended spices & kesar. Cook on low heat till it dries out & changes colour.
Store for a maximum of six months in a sealed container. Enjoy a tablespoon with a glass of warm milk or on its own every day.