Discovering new things, learning new knowledge is always of value, for me at least. I am fortunate enough to have a vast circle of interests and to hold them in high regard. It wasn’t always like that. Even I had my times were I lived in a narrow mind, eyes shut, praising only the commercial, “cool”world. For example, I seriously thought that those colorful bought socks were better then the home made wool socks which my grandmother would first harvest from the sheep’s, then hand spin it with her spinning wheel and at last knit. Those home production socks were maybe a bit scratchy but that would fade after washing, the socks were soo warming, they became my ultimate cold savior!
Because of my teenage foolishness I missed precious learning and discovering time. I was totally detached to nature, but as fate willed it I came back to my roots, to my senses. My husband and I finally got to live together and we got a garden! Since we have the freedom to plant whatever we fancied, we discovered new little wonders which brought us lots of pleasure. That was the case with our Tulsi bush. I have a picture of Tulsi in my “Sweet Lassie day” post. Tulsi is India’s holy Basil, the normal Basil and Tulsi are kind of brothers but they smell differently and look a bit differently.
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What I didn’t know for a while was that in south Asia it was common to use the seeds in foods and when health issues would occur (digestion problems). Interestingly those seeds are not just simple grains. Add them into some drinking water and you will witness a strange change. After just a minute in the water, a transparent jelly layer “grows” around the black seed which might remind one of tapioca. They are jelly outside and crunchy inside. One could easily fool somebody by pretending those where frog spawns. I am not sure if the same works with the common Basil like the one in Europe but there seem to be different types and sizes with some having more jelly around them then others. They are known here around too as sabza, tukmaria or falooda grains.
My husbands 11 year old cousin knew a splendid recipe which called for the basil seeds and she happily showed me her favourite cooling summer drink called Falooda. Some of you will know Falooda since it is a popular drink in South Asia. Researching online I found that the Falooda we know differed in many ways to the original, who’s core ingredients include vermicelli and Rose Syrup together with the tukmaria seeds. Again of course I had to add my touch to the recipe and switched from another main ingredient, kulfi ice cream, to Strawberry Parfait. I had some more left after making a batch for Valentines day. It all fits taste wise perfectly and with my recipe you can participate now in the Falooda craze! 😉
- 250 mililiter Milk
- 1 Teaspoon Basil Seeds - presoaked
- Raspberry Syrup
- 1 Scoop Strawberry parfait
- Add all ingridients to a glass and mix it. Thats it!
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This looks like such a delicious drink! Very eye-catching!
Fantastic Helene. You impress me each time by telling me stuff about Indian cuisine and ingredients that I have never known before. Love the falooda pic and it looks yummy!!
“Those home production socks were maybe a bit scratchy…” LOL,that does remind me of my past,rather childhood,and the scratchy homemade pullovers I used to get once in a while.A take on Falooda,one of my favorite drinks with strawberry parfait and raspberry syrup – Interesting!
This looks absolutely yummy..I should try this soon…Bookmarking this one..
Aarthi
http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/
Hi Helene, very refreshing drink. lovely presentation too. Have a nice weekend.
Oooh! I love this a lot, just the look of it makes me feel so refreshing.
I love basil seeds. In Thailand those little things flating in icy dessert is such a real treat 🙂
Tes
http://tesathome.com
This is so interesting and exotic. Thanks for teaching me something new!
I adore basil seeds This looks droolworthy!
I would’ve never thought to add basil seeds to this drink. But this looks absolutely delicious and wonderful. Great recipe
That looks like a wonderful cool drink–I’ve never seen these basil seeds. Are they anything like the chia seeds that are so in vogue right now?
Chia and basil seeds are from the same plant family, the mint family. Chia grows mostly in middle/South america while basil in asia originated. Basil Seeds do have Ayurvedic properties, the whole plant is considered sacred in india.
I never cooked or used basil seeds in cooking or in drinks! This is very interesting and i am curious to give a try 🙂
Your photos are getting so good! This drink sounds fabulous and its so pretty!
I LOVE basil seeds. I used to drink them when I had sore throat growing up!
Oh, you’ve just taken me back to my childhood! I used to love this “frog spawn” in our version of milk and rose syrup. I like your version better 🙂 Don’t know why we’ve never thought of adding ice cream to it before.
I don’t know how I wasn’t following on FB, etc., but now I am. I just g+ and stumbled for you, and I love, love always to come here and read your amazing posts!
thank u courtney! =)
Wow, I’ve learned so much from your post! This drink looks fabulous…and I’m curious about the flavor imparted by the basil seeds…must be lovely!
Excellent series and very informative as well.
Oh my gosh Helene, I would never have thought to use basil seeds in this way. I only ever sow the seeds for the herb. Do they have a taste? Beautiful photograph. Have a lovely weekend.
hmm I dont think so they have an actual taste, I didnt taste much at least. They r more useful for cooking effects because of their jellyness and the crisp seed core.
Helene, it looks extraordinary and so refreshing! The colours are breathtaking! I wish I could have one now!
You might not believe me, but I actually have a package of these seeds at home. I bought them about two years ago in an Asian shop and the shop owner (I think he was Vietnamese) told me it was put into water and a gelatinous, gluey drink was made. I have never made it and it’s forgotten in my kitchen cupboard. Thank you for reminding me of the grains and for the wonderful recipe idea!
Always happy to help sissi! ^.^ At least you ll know what to do with those now. maybe we can work out some creative ideas. 😉
The timing on this is so funny – just a few weeks ago some foodie friends and I visited a town in Israel with a fairly large Indian population. Two of my friends bought basil seeds, not entirely knowing what they were. My friend Sarah just posted about discovering falooda: http://www.sarahmelamed.com/2012/03/discovering-falooda/. Anyway, great post! Now that I can get basil seeds I will have to try it.
Wonderful! This drink is soooo appealing. I want to try it.
cheers,
Rosa
What an interesting, refreshing looking drink, Helene. And how cute that you got the idea from an eleven year old! I love learning about different ingredients and method is certainly unusual to be. I will need to try it with the basil seeds I plan on planting soon:)
How wonderful for you to have a garden. Like your garden you have grown and that is a good thing. Keep those socks as a reminder:)
Thank you so much for sharing…
Ahh there are not many sock pairs left what I remember. Maybe 2 without holes. Surely over used them. Try it out with the basil seeds and let me know what u think. =)
I grew up having falooda. One of my favorite drinks. It is really refreshing and so easy to make. Love the basil seeds in it, tastes so good.
This falooda looks yummy!
VERY interesting drink, Helene! See, this kind of drink doesn’t get here and I never be able to try unless we have ingredients and great recipe like yours!
I thought the same thing when 2 girls from San Francisco visited our restaurant some years ago. they told us about a fruit from the amazons called Acai and that it was so popular in the US and of course I went to check online for options to get that, but there was no way of transporting the gel in small amounts to india! lol
Every place in the world has something unique, localy grown. one has to only discover those little wonders. =)
I love basil seeds! I wished more people liked them but you’re right, the fact that they look like frog spawn is probably enough to put a lot of people off…
I think so its not that people wouldnt like them, … they are fairly unknown. All these while I didnt know of their existence. They just have to be introduced and I for one would love to create some recipes to incorporate them more into my diet.
I just got some basil seeds as well — Love falooda and thanks for sharing this simple recipe with beautiful photos 🙂
This is a very interesting treat. When I saw the photo the first time, I thought they were pomegranate seed. They were basil? Wow, it is beautiful!
yep basil seeds! =) cool right? 😉
My parents LOVE falooda…can’t say I’ve ever tried it but it intrigues me!
Gorgeous photos!
Hope you are having a great weekend so far. 🙂
Take heart; we all have foolish years… it’s all part of our natural evolution as human beings. Instead, think of how far you’ve come! 🙂 How cool that you’ve used basil seeds in this beverage… I’m completely inspired and must experiment. What a gorgeous colour too Helene!
It looks really refreshing, and the color is really good. I will try your recipe, hope I could find basil seeds. here‘s my post, maybe you’re interested to check.Appreciate if you can.
This looks really refreshing 🙂 Yummy and frothy. Such beautiful colours!
Those basil seeds are really interesting, and sound wonderful! This Falooda sounds delicious!!! Hugs, Terra
In our childhood we drink water / milk with tukmariya ..I love this drink
Hi Helene, I just happen ed to come across your site by chance. I was looking for a good recipe for Tendli veg. Thanks for all the knowledge you shared. Some people don’t eat this veg saying that there is nothing we get from this veg. I stopped eating it. But now I shall definitely eat it.
I was not aware that sabza seeds were Basil seeds. I often wondered what were Basil seeds because I have been reading g about them in various recipes. Your photos of the Falooda is really appetising. I feel like having a glass of falooda right way after seeing the photograph in your site. Thanks for the site started by you called masalaherb.com. I am going to subscribe right away. Also add these seeds in a fresh watermelon juice it looks so good. Basil seeds are very cooling for the body. On a hot summer day whenever I return from the hot sun I add some of these seeds, which are already prepared in the mornings, in a glass of water and drink down the whole contents. I love Basil seeds.
This looks such a delicious regreshing
Healthy drink that I am just itching to try as soon as I have all the ingredients together. Another winner by Madalahetb, I think!
I think you will love it! Of course, you can adjust the amount of each ingredient to suit it more to your liking. 🙂