Sattu Shikanji is a refreshing and nutritious drink popular in the northern regions of India, especially during summers. It’s made from sattu, a flour made from roasted chickpeas, mixed with water, lemon juice, and spices. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons sattu flour
- 1 lemon (juiced)
- 2 cups chilled water
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar or jaggery (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of black salt (kala namak)
- A pinch of roasted cumin powder
- A pinch of ground black pepper
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the sattu paste:
- In a bowl, add sattu flour.
- Gradually add a little water and mix well to make a smooth paste without any lumps.
- Mix lemon juice and sugar:
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a pitcher.
- Add sugar or jaggery to the lemon juice. Adjust the sweetness according to your taste.
- Combine sattu paste and lemon mixture:
- Pour the sattu paste into the pitcher with lemon juice and sugar.
- Add spices:
- Sprinkle black salt, roasted cumin powder, and ground black pepper into the pitcher.
- Mix well:
- Stir the mixture thoroughly until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Add chilled water:
- Pour chilled water into the pitcher and mix well again to ensure everything is properly blended.
- Taste and adjust:
- Taste the Sattu Shikanji and adjust the sweetness or tanginess by adding more sugar or lemon juice if needed.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate the Sattu Shikanji for about 30 minutes to chill before serving.
- Serve:
- Pour the chilled Sattu Shikanji into glasses.
- Add ice cubes if desired.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves for added freshness and presentation.
- Enjoy:
- Serve and enjoy this refreshing and nutritious drink on hot summer days!
Tips:
- You can adjust the consistency of Sattu Shikanji by adding more or less water according to your preference.
- Some people also like to add a pinch of chaat masala for an extra tangy flavor.
- You can also customize it by adding grated ginger or chopped green chilies for a spicy kick.
Sattu Shikanji is not only a delicious thirst-quencher but also provides a good dose of protein and nutrients from sattu. Enjoy!