SUGAR CANE JUICE: RICE PUDDING WITH SUGAR CANE JUICE RECIPE

SUGAR CANE JUICE

Sugar cane juice is a very refreshing drink and can be bought on almost every street corner in the Punjab area of Pakistan. It is available throughout the subcontinent, but seems to be especially popular here. The juice is rich in vitamin C is said to be good to ward off colds and flu, and it can relieve a sore throat. It can rehydrate the body quickly too after you have been out in the sun for a long time. It really does cool you down. It is a diuretic too so keeps the kidneys functioning well. There are also claims that it helps fight prostate and breast cancers. It also gives you an energy boost because of its glucose content.

If used externally, sugar cane juice helps to heal wounds, and it is believed now that it might stimulate the immune system, although tests are still being carried out by medical researchers.

While sugar is known to cause tooth decay, it is thought that the compounds in sugar cane juice protect teeth from the decay caused by white sugar.

In traditional medicines on the subcontinent, the juice and roots are thought to have many healing properties. It is believed that these can be use to treat urinary tract disorders, such as cystitis, so the juice can be used like cranberry juice, to help sufferers from this disorder. Medicines derived from the roots and stem are also used to treat such varied ailments as bronchitis, anaemia (the juice is rich in iron), heart conditions, coughs and constipation. Some practitioners believe that blood pressure can be lowered, and sufferers of jaundice can be aided in the recovery stage with extracts of these two components of the sugar cane.

In folk remedies, the juice mixed with ginger is used to stop hiccups, and a plaster made from equal amounts of sugar and yellow soap is put on boils to get rid of them. Unrefined, raw sugar is said to be good to put on carbuncles.

Sugar is also used with water and lemon juice as a depilatory. Make a paste using hot water, and smooth onto the skin. Place a layer of cloth over the paste and tear it off quickly to remove unwanted hair-apparently you become immune to the pain, after some time. It’s also used in some soaps to exfoliate the skin, but so far there’s no medical evidence that shows it is good for the skin. Some medical trials have found that the juice can help fight prostate and breast cancer, but these trials are not conclusive.

One good, refreshing drink is to mix a litre of sugar cane juice with a chopped green chilli,1/2 an inch of finely chopped root ginger 8 mint leaves, and lime juice from a big lime. Blend all the ingredients together well and then blend again by the glass full. Serve in tall glasses with lots of ice. This is guaranteed to take your body temperature down on hot days.

RICE PUDDING WITH SUGAR CANE JUICE

Ingredients
1 glass broken basmati rice
5 glasses of sugar cane juice
3 green cardamoms
4 cloves
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
25 gr almonds, crushed
25 gr pistachios, crushed
25 gr desiccated coconut
25 gr sultanas, soaked in hot water for 30 minutes


Method
Clean and wash the rice. Leave it to soak for 30 mins.
Pour the sugar cane juice in a pan with the cloves and green cardamoms and bring to the boil. Then add the rice, lemon juice and sultanas, and simmer over a low heat for about 30 mins or until most of the juice has been soaked up and the rice can be moulded. You should stir all the while so that the rice does not burn at the bottom of the pan.
Remove from the heat; allow to cool a little before turning it out into a serving bowl. Garnish with the nuts and coconut and put in the fridge until needed.
Serve chilled with natural yoghurt.
This has Taste and is a Treat.