Meal prep, but for immunity: Freeze these amla wellness cubes

When sniffles start doing the rounds at home, most Indian kitchens instinctively turn to the same shelf. The one lined with amla, ginger, turmeric, pepper and lemon: ingredients that are ready to be turned into some kind of quick home remedy.

This quick immunity shot brings all of them together with a practical freezer-friendly twist.

Instead of serving it fresh each time, blend everything into a concentrated mix, pour it into ice trays and freeze. Whenever needed, simply drop a cube into warm water for an instant drink.

Packed with the vitamin C punch of amla, the earthy warmth of raw turmeric and ginger, and the sharp kick of black pepper, these frozen cubes make it easy to keep a wellness drink ready through changing weather.

They are also an easy way to get children to consume ingredients they would usually avoid.

What makes these cubes special

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, has long held its place in Indian home remedies and is naturally rich in vitamin C.

Raw turmeric brings colour and its well-known anti-inflammatory benefits, while ginger adds warmth and supports digestion.

Lemon adds brightness, curry leaves bring extra flavour and nutrients, and black pepper ties everything together with gentle heat.

Freezing the blend turns it into a make-ahead kitchen staple that is ready whenever you need it.

Ingredients
6–7 amlas (Indian gooseberries)
1 piece raw turmeric (about 3 inches)
1 piece ginger (about 3 inches)
2 whole curry leaf sprigs
Juice of 1 large lemon
½ tsp salt (for children above 1 year)
½ tsp black salt
6–7 black peppercorns
Water as needed

Preparation

• Start by washing the amlas, turmeric, ginger and curry leaves thoroughly
• Deseed the amlas and roughly chop them
• Peel the turmeric and ginger, then chop into smaller pieces for easier blending
• Add the amla, turmeric, ginger, curry leaves, black peppercorns and a little water to a blender
• Blend until smooth
• Strain the mixture if you prefer a smoother shot, or keep it as is for more fibre
• Stir in fresh lemon juice, salt and black salt
• Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid
• Once frozen, transfer the cubes to an airtight container and store in the freezer.

How to serve
Drop one cube into a glass of warm water. Stir well until it dissolves and drink immediately.

A few serving tips

• For younger children, dilute with extra warm water to soften the intensity.
• If the sharpness feels too strong, add a small spoon of honey for children above one year.
• You can use more or less water depending on how strong you want the drink.