Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
This special drink, which translates as turmeric milk, is a great cure for colds, cough, and congestion. Vini says she struggles every fall with some form of upper respiratory illness and she relies on this home remedy for both wellness and a great night’s sleep. If you don’t do dairy, Vini says almond or coconut milk is equally as delicious. The turmeric she uses to prepare haldi doodh comes from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, her home state and also the home of IDEX partner GRAVIS.
Clik here to view.
Members of a GRAVIS self-help group (SHG) hold a meeting
Over the last 30 plus years, GRAVIS has grown to serve 500 remote, tribal communities throughout Rajasthan. On a visit to GRAVIS a couple years ago, Vini had the opportunity to visit with one of the many groups GRAVIS supported, the Ramdevji Self-Help Group. She recounts the story of being included in a meeting with the group’s 14 members, who were gathering to go over the group’s finances. This multigenerational group saved over 30 Rupees ($0.65) each per month from their meager earnings, managing to support two women in the group to buy goats. The women were able to increase their earnings from selling dairy products from the goats.
The women were also practicing seed saving: collecting the seeds of naturally reproducing plants to be used again from year to year. Vini remembers being struck by the connection of ecology and economy. As the women explained to her, financial self-sufficiency and food security went hand-in-hand. Since they didn’t have to buy new seeds, they were able to save money to pay for household costs. These seeds also resulted in heartier crops that would ensure that their families had enough food.
Vini recounts how they delicately undid the lids of their earthen pots, sealed to keep out insects, and showed her watermelon, sesame, moong and moth seeds. These seeds were all saved from the recent crop and were going to be planted next season. In the meantime, the president of the group proudly explained how the group had saved over 7000 Rupees ($150US) from their own earnings.
Recipe note: Vini has specific instructions for how to enjoy this recipe. “Bundle up in bed and let this be the very last drink of the night that you sip slowly relishing each mouthful. And get a cozy, deep night’s sleep!”
Vini’s Haldi Doodh
1 tsp ghee
½ tsp dried turmeric
1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
pinch cardamom, optional
2-3 drops vanilla extract, optional
pinch black pepper, optional
1 tsp honey
Warm ghee on low heat. When ghee warms up, add dried turmeric. As the turmeric sears, add milk. On low heat, let the milk come to a boil. You can add a pinch of cardamom powder and a few drops of vanilla extract to enhance the taste. If suffering from congestion, add a pinch of black pepper. Once the milk boils, pour into your favorite mug and stir in a spoonful of honey.
Have a recipe to share? Please use the comments section below!
