Sambaram (Chilled Spicy Buttemilk Drink)

July 27th 2011

I have grown up always in sunshine and never had to check the weather for most of my life. But the abundance of sun also leads to very hot summers and this is something my mom always made for those super hot afternoons/evenings. 

This is a great drink to also help with digestion or when you feel kinda stuffed and not sure what you want to eat. Finishing off with this will make you feel cool inside and out :)  Now when all over the US the temperatures are soaring expect for my beloved Northwest this is  perfect. Give it a try!

Time: 15 min

Difficulty Level : Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 cup or more of yogurt (curd)
• 2 inches ginger
• 2-3 curry leaves
• 2-3 green chilies (vary based on desired spice level)
• a bunch of cilantro
• a pinch of hing (asafoetida)
• 1 cup or more of water
• a few cubes of ice
• salt (to taste)

Method de Preparation:

1. Grind the first 6 ingredients in a blender or use a hand blender. 
2. Once all the ingredients and blended well and you have a green liquid, add the water and salt and blend till it froths (another min).
3. Serve with a few cube of ice.

Substitutions:

1. You can use buttermilk instead of yogurt but then reduce the amount of water. This is supposed be thinner than a milkshake but I prefer it to be about the consistency of a fruit juice.
2. Reduce/Increase the amount of green chilies based on spice level.
3. Add garlic/onions etc if you like and can stand the rawness :)

Confessions:

Apologize for the bad pictures. This was one of the those days when we decided to skip dinner and drink this instead as we were too stuffed; so poor lighting :D

Kamla Kheer ( Orange Pudding)

March 31st 2010

So this is not kheer that is made in Kamala's house or the one Kamala brings. I thought its name originated from the "Kamala oranges" that you get in India. However "Kamal" I think means orange in Bengali and "Kheer" of course is pudding. I learnt this recipe from my Bengali ex-roommate and have loved it always. It is an extremely refreshing drink that is quite easy to make. I have been seeing beautiful oranges and tangerines everywhere now and looks like the time is right for this recipe. 

Difficulty level : Easy

Time:  20 min 

Ingredients

• Navel Oranges ( 3 nos)
• 2% milk ( 3/4 gallon)
• 1 can condensed milk
• sugar (to taste)

Method de Preparation

1. Heat the milk in a pan till hot.
2. Add the sugar and condensed milk and heat some more till well mixed. The milk with thin out  a bit once you add the sugar. Just heat till it all comes together well.
3. While the milk is heating, peel the oranges. If you are picky and don't like their skin then take out only the inside pulp.
4. The beauty of the kheer is in biting into the fresh orange pieces, so I definitely recommend chopping at least 1 1/2 oranges into small pieces.
5. Beat the rest in a blender and extract orange juice.
6. Once the milk has cooled, add the juice in and also the orange pieces.
7. Cool in refrigerator and serve chilled.

Chef's Tip:   This is not a thick kheer. It is thinner than a milkshake. You could use full fat milk but 2% works well. 

Variations:   You can add saffron and elachi but i just like the simple flavor from the oranges and the milk, why complicate it?

Source:  Malabika Laha

Chai (Indian Tea)

March 15th 2010

Chai is something I began drinking lots more of after my years at Pilani. I still prefer coffee in the mornings, but on weekend afternoons, I love sipping this and reading a book (not been happening lately). I hate to make this for just one person, so my recipe is also for a couple.  Recently the best tea I have had is at the Cedars restaurant in Seattle. Don't miss it for anything in the world.

Difficulty level : Easy

Time: 15 min 

Ingredients

• milk (2 medium size glasses) { Use can use full 2% milk for thick and creamy tea, if you want slightly stronger tea..use 3/4 th milk and 1/4 th water)
• tea powder ( 3 tsps) - really depends on how strong you like your chai
• cardamom (1 )
• clove (2)
• ginger ( 1 inch long)
• sugar ( per taste)

Method de Preparation

1. In a saucepan add the water first and add the spices and tea powder and allow to heat for a little while.
2. Add the milk soon after and allow everything to heat well.
3. When milk is boiling, grate the ginger in and turn off gas.
4. Pour in 2 glasses using a strainer to drain out all the spices and tea powder.
5. Add sugar per taste and sip sip sip. If you can, say 'Wah Taj!' while at it :)

Chef's Tip:  Some people prefer their tea without the ginger. Another option is to use a store bought tea masala if you don't want to use the fresh spices.

Lime Sherbet Punch

Feb 8th 2010

Now this is something that even V can make :) Usually we women are sensible when we plan for a party, but sometimes we get the "I want to do it all" feeling. And when that happens, God save us! You want everything on the table to have your touch. It is at these times that this wonderful drink comes to your rescue. It is a fun punch to make anytime but especially great when you want a drink that will be an assured hit requiring least effort from your end. Enough said :)

Difficulty level: child's play

Time required: 1 min

Ingredients

• Lime Sherbet or any sherbet icecream (1/2 gallon)
• Sprite/Mountain Dew/7 up ( 1 to 1 1/2 gallon)
• Ice

Method de Preparation

1. Take the ice-cream out of the refrigerator a little before the party (1/2 hr) or thaw (10-30 secs) in the microwave.
2. Empty ice-cream and sprite into the punch bowl.
3. Mix such that not too many lumps are there.
4. Enjoy!

Source: Shweta  I think at a party in Nashville