Dates and Nuts milkshake (No sugar) - Healthy Breakfast Drink

This is my mom's recipe. She always uses as little ingredients as possible, yet her creations are wonderful. She's also very swift and whips up a complete meal for 4 in just an hour or less. God! Why haven't I inherited this attribute from amma? I console myself, when I learn that a lot of my friends too feel that way and some seniors tell me that it will happen automatically with practice. I hope so.

Let's get on to the recipe...Dates milkshake is absolutely healthy with no added sugar. It makes a refreshing drink on a Saturday afternoon (actually anytime!), when you're exhausted after cleaning up the house!

Dates milkshake

You Need -

Dates (seedless) - 150 g
Warm water - 200 ml 
Milk - 200 ml
Honey ~ 2 tbsp (optional)
Raisins - about 12 (optional)
Cashewnuts - about 12 (optional)

How To -

• Soak dates in warm water for about 20 minutes. 
• Strain water and save it in a bowl.
• Blend the soaked dates in an electric mixer. Add some of the water if required.
• When it is completely beaten well, add 100 ml milk and blend again.
• Repeat again with the remaining milk. If too thick, blend with a little water.
• Blending in steps is important to get a smooth milkshake consistency.
• Take a sip and taste for sweetness. I did not add sugar as Dates is sweet by itself. You could add 1 to 2 tbsp of honey for extra sweetness. 
• Soak raisins and cashewnuts in separate bowls with warm water (just enough to soak them) for about 15 minutes. 
• Blend them well and add to the dates milkshake and blend together once again. 
• You could save some chopped cashewnuts (without soaking) and add them to the milkshake to give it a crunchy texture.

Serve it chilled, if you prefer that :) I will not add ice cubes though.