Faluda

Here is an ideal Iced Faluda drink for a picnic on a sunny , warm day.

This is a special home made Faluda, which is very healthy and cools the body with two special ingredients called china grass and and Tukmaria.I think Tukmaria is basil seed.Please Google and find out the name in your language.

China grass (agar agar) is from sea weeds, and Tukmaria is an edible vegetable seed.There is white Tukmaria too.So far I have not come across the white Tukmaria.

I remember my mum making this drink for us in the good old days.Specially when it is very warm .Infact now I continue making this drink rather than having Cola Pepsi sprite etc etc which is not good for our health.

Ingredients

Milk
Sugar
Rose essence (not included)
China Grass
Tukmaria
Ice cream
Food colouring

Preparing China Grass

1.Cut china grass in to small pieces and soak them in 1/4 to 1/2 cup water over night.

2. Cook this on slow fire until it dissolves.You must have a little bit patience, because it takes time to dissolve.

1.When it dissolves divide in to two or three portion , add your choice of food colouring,and pour it on to a flat plate. You have to act fast on this step as the liquid tends to get hard like gelatine.
I did not dissolve fully because I was running out of time.That's why you see little pieces.

2.Within a couple of minutes it will set. As an example I have showed you the china grass in the plate in a slanted position. This will not fall off the plat once it sets.

3.Chop them in to small cubes set as side.

I don't know if you all know what is Tukmaria. It's an edible vegetable seed which is very cooling for the body.I can not buy them freely in all the supermarkets. It is available in specific Asian shops only. Here is the picture with the name in other languages.

2. Soak a little bit of these seeds in water.

3.In 10-15 minutes it doubles up and changes colour to grey.Wait until the entire seed are grey in colour.
Strain them and have it in a bottle ,so that you can use it as and when you want.Leave it in the refrigerator but not for too long.

I used cow milk as it is cheap in my country.
If not full cream milk powder is better as it is thick.
Add sugar to taste.

Add your choice of food colouring.

Add rose essence.Just a little bit for the flavour.

1. Now add the cubed china grass pieces ,looks pretty good and yummy too.

2. View from top.Mmmm

3. Add Tukmaria.

4. last comes a scoop of Ice cream.

TA DA!!

Here is my delicious Faluda drink ....
This has to be CHILLED in the refrigerator and ice cream should be added just before serving.

The China grass and and Tukmaria will float....

Enjoy!!