Mango Kulfi

Summer and mango - I guess it's a deadly combo! Likewise with ice-cream. With scorching heat outside and never ending perspiration, we crave for cool treats. And kulfi is one of those yummy cold desserts that are perfect to combat the sweltering heat. Unlike ice-creams, kulfis are very simple to prepare and takes longer to melt.

I cannot help but recall the Kulfi wala screaming "Kulfi Ice Kulfi Ice" in summer afternoons with their kulfi carts during our childhood days. The call sent instant happy sensation in our hearts. That nostalgia still haunts me. All kids of our age would pester our parents to buy us those frozen delights.

With mangoes now flooding the markets, here's a recipe that'll be lapped up by young and old for sure...try it!

Ingredients:

    * 2½ cups milk
    * ¼ cup milk powder
    * ½ cup condensed milk (You can use sweetened condensed milk)
    * ¼ cup sugar
    * 1 cup sweet mango pulp

Procedure:

Mix everything properly except the mango pulp in a hollow non-stick container. Boil this mixture and then stir gently for 10 minutes till it thickens. Let it cool completely. Now add the mango pulp in the mixture and stir well. After the mixture cools off, pour it into kulfi moulds and freeze still completely set. For unmoulding the kulfi, you can place the frozen mould under running water for few seconds and it will come out. Your mango kulfi ice-cream is now ready to eat!

 

 

How to Keep Cool in Summer?

While there are thousands of ways to beat the heat, here are a few quick suggestions to keep summer heat at bay:

• Stay indoors as much as you can. If you must go out, use an umbrella and shades to keep your eyes and skin safe from the scorching sun!
• Have food that is easy on your stomach and avoid oily stuff as much as you can. Don't forget to drink lots of water and other fluids to keep yourself hydrated.
• Wear comfortable cotton loose fitting clothes. Stick to natural fabrics and avoid synthetics.
• Have fruits and plenty of fresh fruit juices.
• Have plenty of herbal tea with a dash of lemon
• Consume food and vegetable with high water content like melons, pears and grapes and vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, bitter gourd, and zucchini. Avoid spicy dishes.
• Take lots of curd daily. Alternatively, you can have flavoured yogurts.
• Yoga, brisk walking and freehand exercises are great to refresh your mind and body. Daily exercise would cool you from inside and take away your tensions.

So even if you hate summers like me, try these simple tips to make the most of this sultry summer!

Beat the Heat and Stay Cool!

Some more tips to beat the heat this season!

• Take at least 2-3 showers a day to stay cool. Add few drops of eau de cologne or fragranced essential oil in your bathtub or bucket water like peppermint, rose, sandalwood, lavender, ylang-ylang or jasmine to feel fresh and energized throughout the day!

• Create a soothing ambience in your bathroom. Light some scented candles, put on some light music and soak yourself in a tub of cold water for that ultimate relaxing effect. Use a loofah/scrubber and a soft, moisturizing bodywash to exfoliate dead cells off your skin. Sweat and extra secretion of sebum during summer makes our skin appear dull and lifeless. Exfoliate 2-3 days a week to reveal a radiant and youthful skin free from pimples, blackheads and pigmentation.

• Avoid spicy and heavy meals. Instead take lesser proportions of healthy food in short intervals to stay fit and active throughout the day. It is imperative to keep a light stomach during summers to keep lethargy at bay. Do not forget to drink plenty of water, fresh juices and lime water.

• Wear loose, natural fabrics and light colors to look and feel fresh. Dark colors absorb more heat. Stick to cotton and avoid synthetics, silks and other materials.

• Use a light, floral fragrance to feel fresh throughout the day. Carry one in your handbag and keep tissue papers handy to remove excess oil and sweat.

• Splash your face with icy cold water whenever you can. Alternatively, you can rub an ice cube on your face for that super cooling effect.

• Wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 or more during the day. If you are using makeup, apply a water-based foundation, light powder and waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

• Go for a swim if you can. Swimming is a great stress buster and cools you off instantly.

Think Cool and Stay Fit!

Stay Cool in Summer

How to stay cool and fit in summer? Million dollar question! As soon as summer arrives, we panic and start changing our daily food habit, minimize intake of eggs, meat, fried and other high calorie food, and do everything to stay cool and energized. Personally, I hate summer, irrespective of whatever seasonal delicacies it has to offer:) I cannot withstand the heat and sweat and keep on finding out interesting ways to beat the sweltering temperature outside. However, considering that we cannot escape summer woes, here are some ways by which one can stay cool during this season:

• Drink plenty of water and other fluids. 10-12 glasses of water is a must to stay fit and cool. Plain water is great; alternatively, water with lemon juice, sugar and a pinch of salt would work great! Fresh fruit juices, coolers, coconut water, green coconut water, aam panna, thandai, mocktails, lassi, jaljeera with a dash of lemon and mint are also wonderful refreshers and thirst quenchers! Hence, drink water and fluids as much as you can to stay cool and hydrated. However, keep intake of aerated drinks at bay, no matter how very enticing they might appear!

• Include salads in your daily diet. Come up with exciting new recipes. Go for fruit salads, if you like them. Salads are a great way to spice up summer and keep you fresh and rejuvenated day long!

• Exercise. Regular workouts are a surefire way to stay cool and fit, even during summers. Yoga, gymming, pilates, freehand exercises, swimming, kickboxing, walking, jogging, aerobics...just do it! Find your way to unwind. Choose the one that interests you. If you love sports, go for it. Regular exercising would flush out toxins from your body and keep you fit, energized, cool and confident. Combine workouts with deep breathing, meditation and pranayama for that extra zing!

• Mangoes are available aplenty this season. Include ripe or green mangoes in your diet. Lots of lovely recipes can be prepared with this delicious fruit, so make the most use of it.

• Keep lots of curd, lemon juice, watermelon, pineapple, cucumbers, neem, gourds, bitter gourds, pumpkins, spinach, drumsticks, green chilli, sweet potato etc. in your daily diet.

• Cut down on deep fries, meat, eggs, high protein and high calorie food, alcohol, soft drinks, junk food, salt, oily and fatty food, barbecued and roasted food. Eat food that is easy on your stomach.

Keep summer heat at bay...more coming up in next!

Delicious Mango Smoothie

Mangoes are available aplenty throughout summers. Eat them in any way you like, because it is rich in vitamin C, A, and beta carotene. You can have it sliced, frozen, coolers, shakes, ice creams, salsas, and in many other ways. One of my favorites is mango smoothie. I found this video which I thought of sharing with you. Learn step by step of preparing a mango smoothie.


How To Make A Mango Smoothie

What is your favorite summer recipe?

Here is a little brainstorming for all you food enthusiasts!

When the mercury soars sky high during summer months, there is a drastic change in our food habits and we become cautious of what we consume daily.

So here's a small quiz for you all--What is your favorite summer food? What do you crave for when the temperature is really high? Is it something cold? Salads? Soups? Ice creams?

Whatever might be your favorite, just share it with us!

My personal favorite? Well...it is just coolers and less spicy fish and veggies for me. And who can forget those yummy mango and melon shakes?

Summer Specials: Mango Tango

This can be one of the best coolers, made with ripe mangoes, available throughout the summer months. Sip and beat the heat outside!

You will need: Ripe mangoes(diced) 2 cups, Ripe papaya(diced) 1 cup, Sugar 2 tsp, Chat masala 1/2 tsp, Crushed ice.

Procedure: Put all the ingredients in a mixer and prepare a smooth paste. If it is too thick, then add some chilled water. Add chat masala and serve with crushed ice on top.

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.