Recipes For Summer

Here are some refreshing, cold drinks and puddings for hot summers !

Cantaloupe Pudding

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Prep time: 15 mins

Difficulty level: Easy

– Add 3 tbsp rice powder and 2 tbsp sugar to 2 glasses of milk and boil with continuous stirring till thick. Take off the stove.

– Scoop out the seeds and some flesh from a ripe musk melon (cantaloupe). Puree the musk melon and add to the boiled milk.

– Refrigerate for a few hours. Serve garnished with roasted seeds and scoops of the flesh.

Masala Soda

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Prep time: 5 mins

Difficulty: Easy

– Blend these well in a mixie to a smooth paste : a bunch of mint leaves, 1 inch ginger, 1 tsp cumin seeds/jeera, 1 tsp chaat masala, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 1/4tsp salt

– Take 1 tbsp of the mixture in a glass, add ice cubes, some mint leaves and lemon slices.

– Add 1 glass of chilled soda and mix well. Water optional. Serve immediately.

Aam Panna

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Time: 15 mins

Difficulty level: Easy

Makes up to 20 servings

To make concentrate

1. Wash 4 green, unripe, sour mangoes. Steam, pressure cook (for 2-3 whistles) or boil (with water) till soft.

OR

Roast the mangoes on the stove/charcoal till cooked and soft, for a smoky flavoured drink.

2. Allow it to cool. Remove pulp from mango and the peel

3. Mix in white/ brown sugar or jaggery (use double the measure of pulp)

4. Add 2 tsps salt (or black salt) as needed.

5. Add some mint and coriander leaves, optionally green food colour and mango essence.

6. Add spices (1 tsp cardamom powder, 1 tsp roasted cumin powder, 1/4tsp black pepper powder)

7. Mix all the above in a mixie. Collect this Aam Panna concentrate in an airtight container, refrigerate and use as needed.

To make a drink

1. Add 1-2 tbsp of concentrate to 1 glass of chilled water. Add 1/2 lemon juice, sugar as needed and serve.

2. If you don’t like the pulpy thick drink, you can sieve through a filter and serve.

3. Garnish with mint leaves, lemon wedges and add ice cubes

By Deepa Perumal

Deepa Perumal is a Management professional, and a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. As a career mentor, entrepreneur, and multilingual author, she shares her insights through blogging and writing features on history, world cultures, travelogues and memoirs. Contact her at deepabperumal@gmail.com