World Milk Day Special - 4 Tasty Recipes To Make With Milk

It’s World Milk Day today & Milk has truly worked its way into our hearts & kitchens, becoming a cherished part of our everyday lives. It’s hard to imagine a world without milk, as it has become a comforting presence in our morning coffees, afternoon snacks, & family meals.

 It has become a symbol of nourishment, a source of vital nutrients that fuel our bodies & support our well-being. The calcium in milk keeps our bones strong, while the protein helps build & repair our muscles. It’s like a nutritional superhero in a glass!

In this blog, let’s look at the cooking side of Milk where we share with you 4 delicious recipes that revolve around Milk. Let’s get started!

World Milk Day: The Story 🥛

World Milk Day is an annual event celebrated on June 1 every year. It was first celebrated in 2001 by the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to raise awareness about the importance of milk as a nutrient-rich food & to promote its consumption.

Milk is a complete food that provides a good source of protein, calcium, & other essential nutrients. It is also a good source of energy & can be a part of a healthy diet for people of all ages. The dairy industry is a major contributor to the global economy & provides jobs for millions of people around the world.

World Milk Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of milk & to raise awareness of the importance of the dairy industry. It is also a time to learn more about the challenges facing the dairy industry & to find ways to support it.

Importance of Milk In Our Diet 🥛

Milk plays a crucial role in our diet, offering a multitude of benefits that make it highly important for our overall health & well-being. Here are some key reasons why milk holds such significance:

• Essential Nutrients: Milk is a rich source of essential nutrients, including calcium, protein, vitamins (such as A, D, & B12), & minerals like potassium & phosphorus. These nutrients are vital for various bodily functions & support the growth & maintenance of our bodies. 

Calcium, in particular, helps build strong bones & teeth, while protein supports muscle development & repair.

• Bone Health: Milk is widely recognized for its role in promoting bone health. The high calcium content in milk is essential for maintaining strong bones & preventing conditions like osteoporosis, especially as we age. Additionally, milk fortified with vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, further supporting bone health.

• Growth & Development: Milk is particularly important during childhood & adolescence when growth & development are at their peak. 

The combination of protein, calcium, vitamins, & minerals in milk supports proper growth of bones, muscles, & organs, ensuring children reach their full potential. It is also crucial during pregnancy & breastfeeding to provide essential nutrients to the developing fetus & support lactation.

• Hydration & Rehydration: Milk contains a high percentage of water, making it a hydrating beverage. It is an excellent option for quenching thirst & replenishing fluids after physical activity or during hot weather. 

Milk’s electrolyte content, including potassium, helps restore hydration balance & supports recovery.

• Overall Wellness: The nutrients in milk contribute to overall well-being & help prevent various health issues. For example, vitamin A in milk promotes good vision, supports the immune system, & maintains healthy skin. 

B vitamins, including B12, play a role in energy production & nervous system function. The protein in milk provides a sense of satiety, making it beneficial for weight management & maintaining a healthy body composition.

4 Tasty Recipes For World Milk Day

Here are 4 delicious recipes that you can easily cook at home using Milk. The first 2 recipes are savory while the other 2 are creamy desserts to complete the meal. Let’s get cookin’!

Homemade Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a delightful & comforting dish that showcases the sweetness & creamy texture of corn kernels. Here’s a simple recipe to create a delicious creamed corn dish:

Ingredients

• 600 g corn kernels (frozen, fresh, or canned & drained)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 28 g butter
• 28 g maida
• 120 ml heavy cream
• 180 ml milk
• 2 g salt
• 1 gram ground black pepper
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

• In a saucepan or pot, melt the butter & saute the onion until it’s soft & translucent.
• Add the corn kernels, if they’re frozen then cook them for a few minutes until they’re warmed through.
• Add maida & cook for 1 minute then add the cream & milk.
• Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, & allow the sauce to thicken.
• Season with salt, pepper, & add fresh or dried thyme.
• Cook for a couple of minutes then remove from heat.
• Using an immersion blender, blend half of the creamed corn or all of it if you prefer a creamier consistency.

Creamy Methi Matar Malai

Methi Matar Malai is a rich & flavorful Indian dish that combines fenugreek leaves, green peas & cream. Here’s a recipe to prepare this delicious dish:

Ingredients

1. For The Paste

• 80 g chopped onions or 1 medium-sized onion
• 30 g cashews (whole)
• 5 g cumin seeds
• 5 g chopped garlic or 4-5 medium-sized garlic cloves
• 5 g chopped ginger or 2.5 cm ginger
• 5 g chopped green chilies or serrano peppers or 1-2 green chilies

2. Other Ingredients

• 30 ml oil or ghee
• 240 ml chopped fenugreek leaves (methi leaves)
• 120 ml water or the stock/water of boiled green peas – add as required
• 120 grams green peas – boiled or steamed
• 120 ml light cream or low-fat cream (check notes below for whipping or heavy cream)
• Sugar as required
• Salt as required

3. Garnishing

• 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
• 2 tbsp green peas boiled or steamed – optional

Instructions

1. For The Ground Paste:

• In a grinder jar or blender, combine cumin seeds, chopped onions, cashews, garlic, ginger, & green chilies.
• Blend or grind the mixture until it forms a smooth paste without adding any water. If you face difficulty in blending, you can add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water as needed.

2. To cook the green peas, you have several options:

• Boil them in a pan with 1.5 cups of water for approximately 7 to 8 minutes until they become tender.
• Steam them in an Instant Pot for 3 to 5 minutes, adding about 1 to 1.25 cups of water in the steel insert.
• Alternatively, you can boil the green peas in a stove-top pressure cooker for 5 to 6 minutes. If you have boiled the peas this way, reserve ½ cup of the cooked water.

3. Sauteing the Ground Paste:

• Heat ghee or oil in a pan or kadai until melted or lightly hot.
• Add the ground paste to the pan & sauté it on low heat for 6 to 7 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking & browning.
• Look for the fat separating from the sides & a pleasant aroma emanating from the paste.
• Ensure the paste comes together & becomes glossy without browning. If it sticks or browns, add a few splashes of water, deglaze, & continue sautéing.

4. Making Methi Matar Malai:

• Add the chopped fenugreek leaves & sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour in 1/2 cup of water or the stock/water from cooking the green peas in two parts. Mix well & let the gravy simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the boiled peas & cream to the mixture.
• Simmer the gravy for another 5 to 6 minutes on low heat.
• Finally, add sugar, salt, & optionally sprinkle 2 to 3 pinches of garam masala powder. Mix well.
• Garnish with coriander leaves & serve the hot or warm Methi Matar Malai with naan, paratha or roti.

Delicious Apple Rabdi 

Apple Rabdi is a delicious Indian dessert made with apples, milk, & aromatic spices. Here’s a recipe to prepare this delightful treat:

Ingredients

• 500 ml milk
• 200 g sugar
• 250 g peeled & grated apple
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/2 tsp saffron strands, soaked in 1 tbsp warm milk for 15 minutes
• 60 g chopped almonds
• 60 g chopped pistachios

Instructions

• In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the milk over medium heat.
• Add the sugar & stir until it dissolves completely.
• Add the grated apple & cook, stirring occasionally, until the apple is soft & the mixture has thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Add the cardamom powder, saffron milk, almonds, & pistachios.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes more, then remove from heat & let cool slightly.
• Serve warm or chilled.

Tips

• For a richer flavor, use whole milk instead of skimmed milk.
• If you don’t have saffron, you can substitute 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric.
• To make the apple rabdi ahead of time, cool it completely & store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, bring it to room temperature & then reheat it gently until warmed through.

Dry Fruits Kesar Kulfi

Dry Fruit Kesar Kulfi is a rich & creamy Indian frozen dessert infused with saffron & loaded with various dry fruits. Here’s a recipe to prepare this delightful treat:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup warm milk
• A few saffron strands
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 2 tablespoons water
• 4 cups full-fat milk
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/2 cup chopped dried fruits (almonds, cashew nuts & pistachios)

Instructions:

• Combine the saffron & warm milk in a small bowl, mix well & keep aside.
• Combine the cornflour & 2 tbsp of water in a small bowl, mix well & keep aside.
• Combine the milk & sugar in a deep non-stick pan, mix well & cook on a medium flame for 5 to 7 minutes, while stirring occasionally.
• Add the cornflour-water mixture, mix well & cook on a medium flame for 32 minutes, while stirring occasionally while scraping the sides of the pan.
• Allow the mixture to cool completely.
• Once cooled, add the cardamom powder, saffron-milk mixture & dry fruits & mix well.
• Pour into 6 kulfi moulds & freeze overnight.

Apart from these mouth watering recipes, Milk goes oh so well with Mangoes! You guessed it right, we’re talking about Mango shakes & we’ve got an amazing blog on how to make the Best Mango Shake At Home. Check it out!

So wait no more, you now have 4 delicious recipes to try using milk, we have all the ingredients you need, waiting to be delivered to your doorstep by 7 AM! Order today from the Milkbasket app & enjoy the wonders of milk  with your friends & family.

Milk On!🥛🥛