Keep yourself hydrated

The weather is still hot and humid. And thus, it is very crucial to keep yourself hydrated and healthy, especially for those who are keeping roza. Here are a few easy milkshakes you can try for iftar or sahur

Tamar Al Hindi
(Tamar Al Hindi is a very popular sweet and sour drink which is very refreshing. It is prepared with tamarind, sugar and water)

Ingredients
125 gm tamarind pulp
175 gm sugar
15 ml rose water
A pinch of salt
1 tsp ginger juice

Method
Soak the tamarind pulp in water overnight. Mash it properly in the morning, and add ginger juice to it. Add sugar, mix well to dissolve.

Bring this mixture to a boil and then simmer it for 10 minutes. Remove any foam that appears on the top. Add a pinch of salt and mix. Switch off the flame. Strain it through a muslin cloth. Cool it down completely. Refrigerate it to chill. The mixture will be very thick. Thus, add chilled water while serving. Add rose water before you serve.

Gulab, Gulkand Aur Badam Ki Lassi
(A refreshing and fragrant coolant drink prepared by blending yogurt, rose petal powder rose syrup, rose petals, gulkand and almonds)

Ingredients
2½ cups yogurt
1 tbsp gulkand
½tbsp almonds, blanched, peeled
and grounded
2 tbsp rose syrup
2 tsp edible rose petal powder
1 tbsp sugar or organic honey
¼ rose water
1 cup chilled milk, full fat
12 ice cubes
12 rose petals, dried
for garnishing
4 tsp slivered almonds
2 tsp dried rose petals

Method
Blend all the ingredients with a hand blender, except those for garnishing. Blend till the lassi is smooth and frothy. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Pour into glasses and add ice cubes. Serve chilled with dried and edible rose petals and slivered almonds

Tip: Try to serve the lassi in earthenware. Also, you can top it with a layer of thick fresh cream.

Muskmelon milkshake
Ingredients
2 thick slices of ripe muskmelon, chopped
1 thin slice of ripe muskmelon, finely chopped n 1½ cup milk, chilled
1 tbsp sugar
 ½ cup crushed ice

Method: Place muskmelon chunks in an blender. Add sugar and blend till smooth. Now add crushed ice and blend till the ice breaks. Add milk and blend well, till frothy.

Pour into a glass. Garnish with finely chopped melon and serve.

Badam ka sharbat
Ingredients
 250 gm almonds
 5 cups of water
 A pinch of saffron
 1 cup sugar
 ½ cup milk
 1 tsp cardamom powder

Method:
Wash and soak almonds for two to three hours. Remove the skin and grind in a grinder to make a smooth paste. Add almond paste, water and saffron in a pan and cook till the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and boil till the mixture is reduced to half. Add sugar and cook for another five minutes. Add cardamom powder and mix well.

Serve chilled.

Banana smoothie
Ingredients
 2 bananas
 1½ cup milk
 3-4 ice cubes
 1 tbsp sugar
 1 tsp cardamom powder

Method:
Put banana, milk, ice, sugar, and cardamom powder in a blender. Puree it and serve chilled.