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  Life   Food  22 Mar 2017  Chill out treats

Chill out treats

THE ASIAN AGE. | MINI BINOY
Published : Mar 22, 2017, 12:36 am IST
Updated : Mar 22, 2017, 6:11 am IST

In summers, whatever you eat or drink seems to be unable to beat the heat.

Pomegranate Citrus Splash
 Pomegranate Citrus Splash

Pomegranate Citrus Splash

Researches show that pomegranate can help prevent or treat various disease risk factors including high BP, high cholesterol, hyperglycemia and inflammation. They have been shown to provide anticarcinogenic effect. Here’s a delightful summer drink made with pomegranate juice with a dash of citrus and ginger flavours:

Ingredients

  • Pomegranate juice -1/2 cup (chilled)
  • Fresh orange juice - 3 tbsp (chilled)
  • Ginger syrup - 1 tbsp (chilled)
  • Soaked black khus khus seeds - 1 tsp
  • Crushed ice cubes -1/4 cup
  • Peeled and flaked orange slice - two flakes
  • Pomegranate seeds - 1 tbsp
  • Mint leaves to decorate

METHOD
In a glass place the pomegranate seeds and crushed ice. Pour ginger syrup, add khus khus seeds.

Pour the pomgranate juice. Now slowly add the orange juice and orang flakes. Decorate with mint leaves.

To make pomegranate juice:
After taking out the seeds fully place them in a blender and pulse a few times to break them apart and release their juice. Now pour into a strainer placed over a bowl. Using the back of a spoon push against the pulp and extract as much juice as possible.

a

Snow in sunshine ( fruit cocktail)
This yummy drink is made using mango pulp and coconut milk. Coconut milk is often considered as a ‘Miracle Liquid’ since the nutrition it offers has great ability to build up the body’s immune system. It is good for your heart as it lowers BP and cholesterol, improves eye health and digestion, provides electrolytes, and prevents fatigue and helps fight heat stroke.

Ingredients:

  • Thick mango pulp taken from any sweet mango without adding water - 7 tbsp
  • Thick coconut milk - 1/8th cup (30 ml)
  • Chilled water - 1/8 th cup ( 30 ml )
  • Ginger syrup - 2 tbsp
  • Chopped ripe mangoes - 1 tbsp
  • Chopped ripe banana - 1 tbsp
  • Cardamom - 1 powdered
  • Crushed ice - 1/4 cup
  • Vanilla ice cream - a large scoop (optional)

METHOD:

  • In a clean glass place the chopped mangoes and bananas. Add  crushed ice, and then pour in ginger syrup, mango pulp, water and     coconut milk one after the other.  
  • Top with vanilla ice cream and cardamom powder.
  • Decorate and serve.
  • Vanilla ice cream is optional for the health conscious people.

a

Tropical Rainbow Salad
In summer it’s common for people to lose appetite which makes them stay away from rich and heavy foods. Fruits and vegetables that are juicy, sweet and sour and seem to have the most naturally cooling effect on the body in addition to their antioxidant properties that can neutralise harmful free radicals. Here is a versatile salad recipe that is healthy as well as delicious. This recipe is sure to tickle your taste buds.

Ingredients needed

  • Pineapple cubed - 1/2  cup
  • Apples skinned and cubed - 1/2 cup
  • Ripe bananas cubed -1/2 cup
  • Skinned and flaked oranges - 1/2 cup
  • Thick outer portion of ripe tomatoes cubed -1/2 cup
  • Red bell pepper cubed -1/2 cup
  • Green bell pepper cubed - 1/4 cup
  • Cucumber peeled and cubed - 1/2 cup
  • Sweet corn - 1/4 cup (optional)
  • Ripe Papaya cubed -1/2 cup
  • Dry Dates cubed - 1/4 cup (optional)
  • Pomegranate seeds -1/4 cup
  • Cleaned lettuce leaves 6-7
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cinnamon powder - 1/4 tsp -1/2 tsp

In a large bowl place the cubed apple and banana first. Toss them in a teaspoon of lemon juice to prevent them from getting discoloured. Then toss in all the other ingredients except the lettuce leaves, nuts and the salad dressing. Keep it aside covered in the refrigerator.

For crunchiness:-

  • Walnut roughly chopped - 1/2 cup ( or more if you like)
  • Roasted skinned peanuts - 1/4 cup (optional)
  • Pomegranate seeds - 1 tbsp

For the salad dressing

  • Orange juice - 1/2 cup
  • Lemon juice - 1 tbsp
  • Sugar - tsp
  • Cornflour - 1 tbsp

Mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a sauce pan. Keep it over a low flame stir continuously until it thickens and the sauce coats the back of the spoon. Let it cool down and keep aside.

To serve:
Arrange the lettuce leaves in a salad bowl or platter. Arrange the mixed vegetables and fruits over the leaves. Drizzle the salad dressing on top. Sprinkle the nuts and 1 tbsp pomegranate seeds.

Chill and serve on a warm summer night.

Tags: pomegranate citrus splash, tropical rainbow salad, fruit cocktail