Orange Punch - Welcome Drink by Shripriya

Party Menu Contest Entry 1 Welcome drink recipe by Shripriya Ramakrishnan

I chose Punch because I have seen people loving and having second and third cups of this punch in big parties. When I came to US, the very first New Year Party I attended, this punch was served. I loved it. Immediately got the recipe from the host. :)

1 can frozen orange juice concentrate. (we get it here in the US. I dont know if it is available in other countries. If not, please buy the orange juice concentrate, I am sure it will be available in the grocery stores like Nilgiris, food

world, etc.,

A juice recipe that gives lots of nutrition

Ingredients:

Carrot - 2 nos

Beetroot - 1 

Black Pepper Powder - 1 tsp

Mint leaves - 1/4 cup
       or
Mint Paste - 2tbsp

Salt to taste

Sugar 1 pinch

Cashew - 1 no

Badam - 1 no

Method:

Soak Badam in water for a while and peel the skin. Cut carrot and beetroot into cubes.  Grind carrot, beetroot, cashew and badam in a blender. Add 2 cups of water and strain it. Mix in salt, sugar and the black pepper powder. 

Garnish it with mint leaves and serve chilled. Good to improve the HB count in blood.

Toffee in Coffee a recipe for chocolate coffee lovers

Some thing different and something yummy. Though pure coffee lovers may not approve this, still, it tastes good.

Ingredients:

Milk - 1 cup

Instant coffee - 1 1/2 tsp

Boost or drinking choclolate - 1 tbsp

cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp

Sugar - 1 tsp

Whipped cream - 1 tsp

Method:

Heat the milk and add instant coffee powder to it. Add cinnamon powder, boost and sugar. Add whipped sugar and serve warm. 

This can be served as iced coffee also by adding one or two ice cubes to it.

Apple Shake with cinnamon to cure Acidity

Acidity have become very very common ailment in the recent times. People tend to get it more easily due to the current lift style. Apple which keeps the doctor away, definitely keeps acidity away if it is taken with cinnamon.

Ingredients:
Apple - 2 nos
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Milk - 2 cups (chilled milk)
Cinnamon Powder - 1 tsp
Ice cubes - 4 nos

Method to make:
Peel and dice apples to cubes and grind it in a blender to a fine puree along with milk and 1/2 cup of milk. Add the cinnamon powder and the remaining milk and whip it well. Serve with 1 or 2 ice cubes.

This makes 4 glasses of milk shake. Can be served with small cubes of apple on top.

Health Benefits of Cinnamon Powder.

Appy Magic - A healthy recipe for Pregnant Women and kids

An apple a day keeps doctor away. A pregnant woman needs lots of nourishment during her entire period of pregnancy. Some women due to their morning sickness will not eat a lot. For them, this drink is a great boon and this can be had immediatly after preparing.

Ingredients:
Apples - ripe and unsour - 4 medium sized
Sugar - 1/2 tbsp (better substitute with Honey)
Lime Juice - 1 tbsp
Ice cubes - 1 or 2 (optional)

How to make Appy Magic:
In a juicer blender, grind the apples (if the juicer have its own filter the better, if not the juice have to be strained using a muslin cloth). Blend it till it is smooth and a fine paste. Add the lemon juice, sugar or honey and mix well. Serve with the ice cubes.

This juice is to be made immediatly after cutting the apples so as the nutritional value in it is not lost. The dash of lime juice will help in getting releived from morning sickness. Honey will help in increased strength(as it have iron content in it). Ice cubes also help in reducing morning sickness.

Too good for kids and Pregnant women. It will help a lot during the first trimester, if the women sips the juice slowly.

Recipe for Paanakam - Neivedhyam

Though we make this Paanakam for Srirama Navami or on Fridays, this is a great drink for summer. In south India this is given as an after food during Sumangali Prarthani along with Neer More and Sukku Vellam.

Ingredients:
Lime juice 1 cup
Jaggery powdered well 3 cups
Dry ginger powder 2 tsp
Cardamom powder 2 tsp
Pepper powder 2 tsp (optional)

Method:
Heat jaggery with 2 cups of water to dissolve. Strain, boil to honey consistency. Add all powders, cool & add lime juice. Refrigerate. Dilute to required consistency, adding plain or ice water whenever required.

Add Pepper powder if and only if there is a slight cold and cough. Better to avoid it, if one need to relish and enjoy the taste of Panakam.

Gingerly Tomato - An energizing recipe

Every one wishes to have a healthy glowing skin. Tomatoes gives that glow to any kind of skin type. I am highly fond of this fresh juice recipe that whenever I feel a bit low of energy, I take it as we have all the below ingredients at home ever. Even if there is no lemon available one can have it without that and can feel a definite refreshing just in a few mins after taking it.

Ingredients
Tomatoes - 4
Ginger - 1 inch piece
Sugar - 1 Tbsp
Lemon Juice - From one medium sized lemon
Ice cubes - 2

Method
Grind tomatoes along with ginger and sugar. Blend well and add the lemon juice and ice cubes. It is the best drink to have to have in summer.

Check the health benefits of ginger

Best summer drink
Fights Cancer
Helps skin glow

Fresh Lemonade Syrup Recipe

Lemonade is one of the most favourite drink for every one at home. So I generally ensure that I store it. I try to store it whenever it gets over.

Ingredients:
Sugar - 3 Sugar
Water - 1 cup
Lemon Juice - 3 cups (16 to 20 lemons)

Method to make Lemonade:
Boil the water and dissolve sugar in it. Let it cool. Add the lemon juice and mix well. Store it in fridge and this can be used for a week.

(But I assure you this wont stay in your fridge for more than 2 days, as your family members will keep asking for it more and more).

To prepare lemonade for 1 serving, combine 1/4 to 1/3 cup syrup and 3/4 cups cold water in a glass. Add 1 or 2 ice cubes (depending upon the size).

Serve in parties with a piece of lemon rind in the tip of the glass.

Home Made Badam milk mix recipe

CBadam Milk is one of the favourite drinks in our household. To make any occassion special, either Badam Kheer or as a dessert Badam milk is served. This is one recipe that I learnt from one of my friend's mom which can be stored in fridge and use whenever needed.

Ingredients:
Almonds - 1 cup
Saffron - 1/2 gm(fresh)
Sugar - 2 cups
Water - 1 1/2 cups
Badam essence - 1 tsp (optional)

How to make Badam Syrup:
Soak almonds in hot water and peel them. Add 2 tbsp of warm water to saffron. Grind both almonds and saffron to a very fine paste. Better to avoid water but if needed, a little water can be added. In a heavy bottom pan add sugar and add 1/2 cup of water to make sugar syrup. Add the paste when the syrup starts boiling. Keep stirring so as to no lumps are formed. (Essence can be added when the mixture starts boiling again).

Let it cool and refrigerate it.

How to make Badam Milk using Badam Syrup:
Add 2 tsps of syrup to warm milk. (Though no sugar is needed, if you have a sweet tooth 1/2 spoon of sugar can be added).

How to make Badam milk shake:
In a blender add Badam syrup, ice cubes and milk and whip once or twice. Pour in a glass and add Vannila or Butter Scotch Ice cream. Serve chilled with Wafer Biscuits

Recipe for a simple and easy home made Lemonade

Lemonade Syrup comes handy if it is there at home when guests come. It is also a refreshing drink and whenever one feels slightly dehydrated, this syrup can be added with a pinch of salt and luke warm water.

Ingredients:
Fresh Lemon Juice - 2 cups
Grated Lemon Rind - 2 tbsp (option
Sugar - 2 cups
Water - 1 1/2 cup

How to make instant Lemonade Syrup:
Mix sugar and juice (and also the rind). Stir constantly until dissolved. Add water and cover tightly. Keep the mixture in an air tight container and keep it in fridge untill it is time for serving. (Can be prepared in the morning if the party is in the evening) 

How to make lemonade out of the instant lemonade syrup:
Add 1/2 cup of the lemonade syrup in a large glass. Add 1/2 cup of water and 2 or 3 ice cubes.

How to serve this lemonade in a party:
Place a thin rind of lemon on one side of glass. Place one or two mint leaves on the top of the glass. Add a decorative party straw. Add the ice cubes just before serving.

Rich and Royal Milkshake

A very rich easy to make milkshake. This gives instant strength and energy too.

Ingredients:
Badam - 10 to 12 pieces (soaked and skin peeled)
Crushed Ice - 4 cubes
Pista - 8 to 10 pieces (unsalted)
Butter Scotch Ice cream - 3 scoops
Kesar - 1/2 tsp
Cardamom - 2 nos
Milk - 1 cup

Method:
Add milk, 2 cups of butter scotch icecream, badam, cardamom, pista and 4 cubes of ice. It is better to use a whipper rather than grinding it. Garnish it with pista pieces and Kesar strangs.

This makes 2 glasses of milkshake. While serving add the remaining 1 scoop of icecream, (half scoop in each glass) and serve chilled.

A healthy fruity breakfast

Bored of the regular breakfast, want to try something healthy and refreshing, try out the following which is definitely filling refreshing.

Ingredients:
Banana - 2
Strawberries - 2
Papaya - 3 to 4 medium sized cubes
Pineapple - 2 medium sized cubes
Apple - 1 no (peeled and de-seeded)
Honey - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 2 tbsp (optional)
Ice cubes - 2 nos
Milk - 2 glasses

Method:
The above measurement will give almost 3 cups of fruit juice.

Blend all the ingredients except milk in high blending speed in a blender. Pour 1 glass of milk and run the blender in whip mode for 2 to 3 times. Transfer it to a vessel and add the remaining glass of milk and serve it for breakfast.

Neer More - Spiced Buttermilk

This is one recipe which I like very much. Though I keep making alterations (which I have given at the end of this post).

Ingredients:
Yogurt - 2 cups
Water - 2 cups
Salt - To taste
Green Chillies - 2 nos
Ginger piece - 1 inch piece
Curry leaves - 1 sprig
Coriander leaves - 1/4 cup
Hing - 1 pinch
Oil - 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1/4 tbsp
Ice cubes - 2 to 4

Method:
Cut green chillies and ginger into small pieces. Beat the yogurt and add water, salt, curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger pieces, hing.

Temper it with mustard seeds.

You can add 1/4 cup grated cucumber or grated carrot or both to the butter milk.
Decorate the glass with mint leaves before serving.

Easy Cold Coffee Recipe

This is one ingredient that became a great hit when I served it to my friends.

Ingredients:
Full Cream milk - 2 glass
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Instant Coffee Powder - 2 tsp
Crushed Ice - 1 cup

Method:
In a blender, add all the ingredients and whisk it thoroughly. Serve in tall glass with pieces of choco chips on top.

Yellow Milk (Milk with Turmeric Powder and Pepper)

Son was coughing a bit and he also had a bit of cold. As per doctor's advice gave him honey and warm water. Still, when giving him milk in the night, thought of giving him this yellow milk which is sure to reduce the cold. I christined this milk Yellow Milk because of the yellow colour the turmeric powder gives to it.

Ingredients:
Milk - 1 cup
Turmeric Powder - a pinch
Pepper -1/2 tsp (crushed)
Panam Kalkandu - (Palm sugar) - 1 tbsp

Method to make this Yellow Milk:
Boil milk and add pepper corns and turmeric powder when it is hot. Mix well till both dissolves. Add the panam kalkandu and when warm or when in drinkable temperature serve it.

Note:
I use this just as a home remedy, but I also consult a doctor especially when it comes to kids. 

Pomegranate Milk Shake

Ingredients:
Pomegranate  - 1 no (big and ripe)
Sugar - 2 tbsp
Milk - 3/4th cups
Ice cubes - 2 nos

Method to make Pomegranate Milk Shake:
In a juicer, add all the ingredients together and grind well till it frosts.

Pour in a tall glass. Serve with a twig of mint leaf.

Recipe for Special Buttermilk

I have started having this buttermilk as the summer have started. It is a great drink for this time. I have started avoiding tea and coffee in the day. It is very refreshing too.

Ingredients:
To powder:
Cumin - 1/4 cup
Methi Seeds - 2 tbspns

Method:
Fry Methi seeds and Cumin in a dry pan and this can be stored in a dry container.

Cut curry leaves, coriander leaves, one inch of ginger piece and mix with salt and keep it for 15 mins. In a glass, add 2 ladels of thick curd and add 3 cups of water and churn well (this will give 2 glasses of buttermilk). To this add one spoon of the powder, and one spoon of the cut leaves and ginger. If you like you can add half of small green chilly.

Let everything set for around 30 mins. If needed it can be refrigerated for 15 mins before drinking. But I prefer not to refrigerate it.

Lemonade Syrup Recipe

Ingredients:
Sugar - 3 Cups
Boiling Water - 1 Cup
Lemon Juice - 3 Cups

Method:
Dissolve sugar in boiling water. Cool. Add lemon juice, mixing well to combine. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 1 week.

To prepare lemonade for 1 serving, combine 1/4 to 1/3 cup syrup and 3/4 cups cold water in a glass, stirring well.

Fresh Lemonade Syrup Recipe

A great refreshing drink that helps in feeling fresh after coming back from hot sun. This can be made readily and kept in fridge.

Ingredients:
2 cups fresh lemon juice
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups water

Method:
Mix together juice and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add the water, cover tightly and keep in the refrigerator.
To serve, put 1/2 cup syrup in a large glass with ice, then fill with water.

This syrup can be kept in fridge only for a few days so keep making it fresh.

Choclate Milk shake - Kid's favourite recipe

This is one milkshake that can be had either cold or hot. I dont make it with the coco powder that we get in the supermarkets, they give a bitter taste, instead I use a combination of choclate drink and Cadbury's Dairy Milk.

Ingredients:
Milk - 2 glasses
Sugar - 3 tbsp
Boost - 4 tbsp
Dairy Milk Bar - (the Rs. 5 bar is enough for 2 glass)
Water - 1/4 cup
Ice cubes - 2

Method:
Warm the water add boost to it and mix well. Scrap the Dairy Milk into pieces and add that to the warm water. Take a hard bottom vessel and add the milk, sugar and the choclate mixture and keep stirring till everything blends together. Remove from flame, let it cool. Take half of it and blend in a blender till it frosts. Mix it with the remaining. If you want it hot, heat the remaining mixture before adding the forsted mixture to it.

If you are serving it cold, blend both together, add ice cubes and serve chilled.

Alternatively, you can add choclate ice cream while blending. But avoid Dairy Milk.