Using paan flavor in ice creams and sweets is quite popular back home. What makes it so popular? Betel leaves or paan leaves as we call them in Hindi do not taste great as such, not to me at least. But when we mix these leaves with rose petals, fennel seeds it results in a refreshing flavor. This combination is often used in mouth freshners just because it’s so refreshing.
The recipe uses fennel seeds and gulkand [preserve made from rose petals & sugar] which gives this shake a very refreshing taste. You can add little green food color if you want but that is totally optional. Because gulkand already has a lot of sugar in it, be careful about the amount of sugar you add in the shake.
I would strongly recommend you to give this drink a try. It’s so cooling and refreshing especially during summers. And if you happen to love paan then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be making this.
Ingredients5 paan leaves [betel leaves]
2 cups milk [i used 1%]
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
3 tablespoons gulkand [rose petal preserve]
sugar to taste
ice cubes
green food color optional
Method
* Wash the betel/paan leaves and chop off their stalk.
* In a blender mix together chopped paan leaves, milk, fennel seeds, gulkand paste, sugar, milk, food color (if using) and ice cubes.
* Blend till mixture is smooth.
* Pour into glasses and serve chilled.