Mango Yogurt Smoothie

Pathetic Summer this time in Kolkata and I don't even think of going to the kitchen. This super Yummy mango yogurt smoothie is what I could stir up for my son's evening snacks.

INGREDIENTS:

• Mango - 1 , cubed
• yogurt / Curd - 1/2 cup
• Ice Cold Water - 1/4 cups
• Honey- 2 tbsp( or as per taste)
• Ice Cubes - plenty

Wash and cut the mango into cubes. Take it into a blender.

Add yogurt, honey and blend till a smooth froth is formed. Add little water, if required.

Serve with plenty of ice cubes and some chopped mangoes at the top.

Gandharaj Lebu r Ghol

A sureshot Summer cooler, very traditional too!! Contains too very specific Bengali material, GHol means Lassi to some extent,, and 'Gandharaj Lebu' resembles a Kaffir Lime. 

Ingredients

• Curd - 250 gms
• Gandharaj Lebu - 1
• Gandharaj Leb leaf - 2
• Sugar - 2 tbsp, as per taste
• Rock Salt - a fat pinch
• Mint leaves (Optional)

Mix all the ingredients except lime leaves in a blender. Pour to individual glasses and garnish with lime leaves and serve chilled. You may add ice cubes too,.

Sending this to Beat the Heat Online Event organised by 'Kolkata Food Bloggers'

Minty Watermelon Lemon Slush

A delicious and refreshing drink for a very hot summer day!! Loved the smell of crushed mint in the drink. 

Ingredients

• Water melon - 2 cups, deseeded and diced
• Powdered sugar - 2 tbsp / as per taste
• Lemon juice - 2 tbsp
• Mint - a handful, washed
• Ice cubes - 12 - 14

Blend all the ingredients in a blender till smooth. 

Chill in the freezer till ice crystals starts forming. Quickly whiz in the blender again and then serve immediately. Garnish with some fresh mint leaves.

Sending this to Beat the Heat Online Event organised by 'Kolkata Food Bloggers'

Espresso Hot Chocolate

Ok,, this is the season changing time in Bengal, and like most of the Bengalis I have also got my dose of viral attack. Yes, I was down with some sore throat, body ache and all those symptoms, you know what I mean. Now this is not the forum to discuss illness, right ?? I know, but I have all these and was looking for something comforting but hassle free and quick and hot and delicious and I end up with this espresso Hot Chocolate. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons Nutella, depending on how sweet you like 
• 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine all 3 ingredients and whisk until smooth and frothy. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy!!! I had some rusks with it and liked  the combination very much !!!

Burhani - Spicy yogurt Drink

A biriyani is incomplete in my household if it is not accompanied by Burhani. Traditionally Burhani is a wedding drink served along with Biriyani in mushlim community and it is basically a spicy lassi. Extremely easy to make, you can make it in a ziffy, just gather the ingredients and whiz through your mixer grinder, and a refreshing drink is done in no time.

Ingredients

• Curd - 2 Cups
• Chilled Water - 2 cups
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Green Chilli - 2
• int Leaves - a bunch
• Roasted Cuin Powder - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 2 tsp
• Black Salt - 1/4 tsp

In a blender combine all the above ingredients. Blend well and get  a thick milk shake type texture.Pour out in a jug. chill in the refrigerator for an hour & serve chilled in individual glasses decorating it with few mint leaves.

Adjust the amount of sugar & salt as per your taste but the proportion of sugar should always be double the salt.

Serve with Kolkata Style Mutton Biriyani.

Chocolate Lassi

What !!!! Chocolate Lassi ????? This was my first reaction when my son has asked for it. Better say, he demanded it when I asked him to have lassi as his evening snacks on a hot summer day. Since he doesnot like lassi or for that matter home made curd, he has asked for it deliberately , I think. Anyway, then I decided to give him the one he has asked for, and voila,, he liked it. So , no more hassle feeding him home made curd, just add some chocolate syrup with couple of ice cubes to the curd, add a scoop of drinking chocolate, mix well and it is gone !!!Why did not I think of it before??

Ingredients:

• Home made curd or yogurt - 200 gms
• Chilled Water - 2 tbsp.
• Chocolate Syrup - 4 tbsp.
• Cocoa Powder - 2 tbsp, heaped
• Sugar - 1 tbsp ( add more as per taste)
• Dry fruits - 1 tbsp
• Ice cubes

Mix chocolate Syrup, cocoa powder, sugar and curd with ice cubes. Grind them into a processor until they all mix evenly.

Serve chilled in tall glasses Or wine glasses. Decorate on top with toasted dry fruits. Add some more ice cubes if required.

Holi Special Thandai

This chilled almond flavored beverage is a traditional drink served during Holi. Very tasty and cools you down instantly.

Ingredients

• Milk - 1 litre   
• Almonds - 20
• Cashewnuts - 15
• Pistachios - 20
• Poppy seeds (khuskhus/posto) - 3 tbsp
• Saffron (kesar) - a few strands
• Sugar - 1 Cup
• Green cardamoms - 8
• Cinnamon - 1 inch stick
• Black pepper - 8

Soak almonds, cashewnuts, pistachios and poppy seed in water for 15 minutes. Take it out of water and make a fine paste using a little milk if required.
Grind green cardamoms, cinnamon and black pepper to a fine powder.

Bring milk to a boil in a pan with a few strands of saffron.

When the milk begins to boil add sugar and simmer till the sugar melts. Add the nut paste to the milk and mix well.

Simmer for 5 minutes. You may need to stir the milk continuously to avoid sticking to the base. Add the powdered masala to the milk and mix well.

Refrigerate for 3-4 hours. Serve chilled.

Watermelon Juice

Summer is round the corner and it is time to shift the focus onto light food and juices. Tried this watermelon juice today,, it is really yummy and refreshing.

Ingredients

• Watermelon - 1 cup, chopped roughly  
• Sugar - 2 tbsp
• Lemon Juice - 1 tbsp
• Salt - a pinch

Chop the watermelon and remove all the seeds. Keep refrigerated.

Whisk the chilled watermelon with sugar in a blender. Strain the blended juice using a soup strainer.

Add the lemon juice and salt. Mix well. Cover half of the serving glass with ice cubes.

Pour the juice over the ice cubes. Serve immediately.