Summer Specials: Spicy Red Melons...Aha!

I love summers for two things that I simply can't get enough of-watermelons and mangoes! With melons flooding the market, here is a simple, easy to prepare cooler to jazz up your summer months.

You will need: Watermelon 1, Sugar 1 big tsp, Chat masala(optional) 1 tsp, Crushed ice.

Procedure: Cut watermelon into small chunks and take out its seeds. Put the chunks in a mixer-grinder or juicer and take out the juice. Add chat masala, and sugar and blend well. Add crushed ice on top and enjoy!

Summer Specials: Grapes Sparkle

Sip this heavenly summer cooler while the mercury scales high...feel cool inside!

You will need: 4 Lemons, Black grapes(alternatively green grapes) 500 gms, Ginger ale 500 gms, Sugar(according to your taste).

Procedure: Prepare grape and lemon juice in a juicer and add sugar. Add ginger ale and blend well together. Serve with crushed ice on top and enjoy!

Summer Specials: Dahi Kebabs

With the sweltering heat outside, we develop a tendency to savor cold and less spicy food, that is actually good for your stomach. We should cut down on rich and spicy food during summers and eat light and non-greasy food as much as possible. Here's a simple summer recipe that's a special treat for the veggie lovers! The main ingredient here is yogurt or dahi, which is rich in calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium. It is easy to digest and is prepared without much hassle.

Ingredients: Gram flour(besan) 100gms, Cottage cheese(paneer) 50 gms, Cheese 25 gms, Yogurt 100 gms, Green chillies 5 gms, Ginger 5 gms, Garam masala(spices) 5 gms, Refined oil 100 gms, Raisins and Cashew nuts 25 gms, Salt to taste.

Procedure: Lightly fry the gram flour in a dry container and keep aside. Heat oil in a shallow fry pan or kadai and add ginger and green chilli pieces. Saute for a while. Now add grated cottage cheese(paneer), cheese, raisins, cashew nuts, gram flour(besan), and yogurt to it and make a thick paste. Make small cubes or chunks of kebab with this paste and grill/roast on a skewer. You can even prepare it on a microwave. Serve it hot with tomato/chilli /coriander sauce!

How To Make Pineapple Fruit Punch

Few weeks before, I tasted one of the most favorite drinks of summer--Pineapple fruit punch, in the cool ambience of a popular city restaurant. Believe me, this summer specialty really cools me down and keeps me asking for more. For those of you who are wondering how to prepare it at home, here's an easy recipe. So while summer sizzles outside, you can still sip your favorite fruit punch at home and feel the chill!

You will need: 1 can of fresh pineapple juice(alternatively, you can make fresh juice from pineapple slices by putting them in juicer), 2 packages of unsweetened lemonade drink mix, 1 can of fresh and frozen orange juice concentrate(thawed), 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 quarts water, 2/3 cups of sugar, 2 packages of frozen strawberries(thawed), strawberry ice cream, 1 quart ginger ale(chilled).

Preparation: Combine and mix together pineapple juice, orange juice, strawberries, lemon juice, water, 1 pint of ice cream. Blend until smooth. Add sugar and stir, until it dissolves. Now add water. Chill for 3/4 hours. Now add chilled lemonade mix. Stir in ginger ale. Serve by adding remaining ice cream on top.