Once in a while, we crave a change from boring sodas and juices. Gajar ki Kanji, a unique tasting beverage made from carrots and beets, is a great alternative to your average drink. Add a few green chilies to give this recipe an added kick or simply enjoy this refreshing and beautiful beverage.
Ingredients:
Water – 8 cups
Carrots – 2 large, peeled and julienned
Beetroot – 1/2, peeled and julienned
Green Chilies – to taste, slit
Powdered Mustard Seeds – 1 Tbsp
Salt – 2 tsp or to taste
Red Chili Powder – to taste
Method:
1. In a pitcher or jar with a lid, add all of the ingredients and mix well.
2. Keep the pitcher in the sun for 3-5 days, stirring at least once or twice daily.
3. Once fermented, store Kanji in the refrigerator.
4. Serve chilled. Mix before serving. Carrots, Beets and Green Chilies can be eaten.
5. Remains fresh for up to 2 weeks.
I’m making this for the first time and have a bottle in the window now. I did not sterilize any of the utensils that came in contact with the ingredients (as other websites instructed)–that won’t be a problem, right?
Also, I added the ground mustard seeds the second day grinding them up with some of the Kanji water in my VitaMix–is there a problem with adding the mustard on the second day?
Hi Hetal and Anuja,
I tried the Kanji (3rd day) and it is fantastic–what a wild, addictive flavor! Are there live cultures (probiotics) in this drink?
Adding the mustard seeds a day late wasn’t a problem.
I’m going to put it in the fridge tomorrow. I can’t wait to have it chilled.
I will add some of this concoction to a green smoothie to add to its taste and health benefits.
I love your website! It’s fun and very helpful 🙂
Hi Diane,
Thanks for the feedback! I am not 100% sure, but because it is fermented, there are probably live cultures present.
Hi Hetal/Anuja,
I tried making kanji twice and both times on the 2nd- 3rd day I see a green layer on top of the kanji..Had sterilized all the utensils with boiling water before making the mix but did not help.
On looking closely it seemed that the mustard pwd changed green.
does the mustard change green on fermentation?
Hi Manvi,
hmmm…its been a while since I’ve made the kanji but don’t remember the mustard seeds turning green. If anything, they should turn a bit red/fushia. You can always smell it. If there is fungus growing, you should be able to smell a foul odor.
My Mum used to tell us about this as children but never made it…I visited an elderly aunt this summer who had a large bottle of purple liquid and carrots in her windowsill and instantly recognised it from my Mum’s stories. It was quite a shock to finally sample it, I think this is what’s known as an acquired taste!
You are so right on “acquired taste” 🙂
it looks yummy….i just want to ask you if i can drink it in my pregnancy. iam 7 month pregnant.
plz reply soon…
hello…what is “pong”? sorry…may be spelling it incorrectly. you mention it at the beginning of the video. is it a liquor?
thanks! : )
(you both look beautiful in this video!)
Hi Ann Marie,
It is “Bhaang” – Here is the low down on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhang
😉
wats this bloody recipe? wat will happen the next morning if will drink this.
The recipe looks quite delicious,but after 3 to 4 days can we store this in fridge and use it for 10 days..
Hi Kanthi,
Yes, you can store it in the refrigerator for 10 days.
can i share some simple recipes with you both .
Looking gorgeous,Ladies 🙂
Hi Hetal/Anuja,
I have a quick question, are you using Mustard seeds or Rai because i believe both are different. SO can you please clarify on what exactly you used?
Hi Chanda,
They are the same but there are different types of Mustard Seeds:
black and yellow
For Indian cooking we usually use the Black kind and that is what we have used here in this recipe. We have used ground black mustard seeds.
There is also Khuria (flattened Mustard Seeds) and that is used in pickles.
Can u show any other traditional drinks?
Hi Sowmya,
Will keep that in mind, thanks for the feedback 🙂
Are those black or yellow mustard seeds you used in the recipe? Does the jar have to go outside, or will they pickle in a sunny window? – I live in an apartment without a balcony, so can’t leave them outside.
Oh, and you two are gorgeous in those saris!
Hi Heron,
We have used Black Mustard Seeds and have ground them at home. You can use the sunny window and it’ll work just fine 🙂
You both looking gorgeous!!
I add 1-2 drops of mustard oil to it…it gives a really nice flavour! try it out soemtime!
Hi Lavi,
Sounds great, will try it for sure 🙂
Hey…can you guys please show how to make Iced tea?
you’ll find the ice tea in the site from where these girls are coping. see the very 1st comment.
Hi Anuja & Hetal,
I LOVE all the posting & have tried many of them too. The easy sweets are a big hit with all our friends.
I was hoping you’ll post some desi recipes cooked with a SLOW COOKER.
Great job & You guys ROCK !!!
Hi Suba,
Thanks for your feedback. We get question a lot…the problem is that slow cooker are very slow 🙁 and we are usually in a time constraint but are trying to see how we can work around that and show some recipes.
Thanks for your support and understanding 🙂
wow! this looks amazing. i must admit, i haven’t tasted indian cuisine but this beverage made me want to have one. more power to you guys!
Wow in saree..Looking cool..but I should say Hetal looks more good in western outfits…
Hi Anuja and Hetal,
Your sarees are lovely! I do have a question about the mustard seed. I have both black mustard and yellow mustard seed. Which one do you use. It looks like yellow but I wasn’t sure. Keep up the good work!!!
Hi Judy,
We just took the black Mustard Seeds and put it in the spice grinder and made a powder out of it 🙂
wow! both of u r looking gorgeous—
arey wah both of u lukin gorgeous……….any special occasion?????????????? n u knw i also have babdhani saree sleeping in my bag… 😉
wat a colorful show…………… keep it up
What a surprise! I was so bored of sitting and staring at my computer all day. Just looking at you guyrs dressed up so well made me happy and now I am in festive mood! Thanks.
The kanji color looks good. If there any chance of it getting spoilt if kept outside for so many days?
Hi R,
If you stick to all the pointers in the recipe, it won’t get spoilt 🙂
remember not more that 5 days in the sun and stir everyday 🙂
Ladies, you both look pretty. Hetal i love your saree and ornaments. Anuja i love your saree color.
looks funny!
hahahhaa
hi, both look veryyyyyyyyyyyyy cuteeeeeeeee…..so colorful,
i dont miss ur new receipes and ur costumes also….it really inspires us to see u guys dressed……
oh my gosh, how lovely…both of you look amazing. 🙂 thanks for the recipe, something different…i will def. try it.
can u please tell the brand of the knife u r using in this video??? thanks alot for all the great recipes!!! U Rock!!!
Abhi, I have the same type. I bought mine from Macy’s 15 piece set including knife sharpner…Actual cost was 69.99. I bought mine during sale along with $10 discount coupon only for $19.99. Its really worth to buy it. It looks pretty too.
BTW, brand name is TOOLS OF THE TRADE – Macys
can u please tell the brand of the knife u r using in this video??? thanks alot for all the great recipes!!! U Rock!!!
Hi There,
Honestly, it’s a no-brand knife. You can pick up any knife that you like the feel of and use it. The key is to keep it sharpened. We have $20 knives and $60 knives that do the same thing. We have a knife sharpener and a rod that we use constantly 🙂
Thanks for sharing this regional recipes. there are so many of these kinds we never get to hear unless we visit families……I sure will try… Seems it is time to dressup…pretty pretty… I am thinking…Hum is Hetal is pregnant!!!!
They both look pretty and please leave it at that. Such comments from readers will scare them and not want to wear any more sarees!
Some cotton sarees make you look different. Its nice of them to dress up so well.
Hetal and Anjua, we all enjoyed the video and looking at you guys. Looking forward to more such videos.
hey…i am just wondering about how safe to drink water that is out side with some veggies and spices?? Don’t you think about any bacterial infections to your body!!
Hi There,
The Kanji has not made us sick (we have been making it for years now). It is the same concept as pickle. The ground mustard is the pickling agent and the salt helps it along. That is one of the reasons, we say not to keep it out for more that 3-5 days, covered so nothing goes in AND to keep stirring it every day or twice a day 🙂
Oh my god ! You both just look so so pretty in indian attire! Hetal di ko dekhne ke baad, im remmebering my Bandhani saree that has been sleeping the closet for a while!
Anuja di, you thali…is very very cute!
Just a doubt,
Will this drink cause heat in the body or is it a coolant?
Loads of Love ,
Priya
Hi Priya,
Thanks for all the lovely compliments 🙂
The drink is had in very small quantities and is really had during Holi festival time so I honestly don’t know. It is a great option and a welcome change 🙂
Thanks for this recipe. Wow.. amazing colourful show. Indian dress are always beautiful.
HI,
just to confirm – it has to be a glass jar or pitcher, right? pickling agents + sunlight = plastic is not a good idea!
Sounds delicious, and I am going to try some very soon!
-Pramila
you both are looking so pretty. if you dont mind please tell us why are you both all dressed up.
i like hetal’s jewelary.
Hi There,
No particular occasion, but we get asked a lot about why we never wear sarees, so….. 🙂