Blueberry Banana Smoothie

Another simple but luscious Smoothie to beat the high heat, Blueberry Banana Smoothie. I love the color of the blueberry when blended with milk, ohh dear its just gorgeous. Its pricking hot outside, the temperature is unbearable, it went above 90 Degree F yesterday and today its suppose to hit 100 Degrees. The saddest part is kids don't get to play outside in the much awaited summer, I take them out in the mall play area and YMCA play area during day time. We let them play outside after 7:00 in the evening even though the humidity remains high till late night, but they're happy as they get to play real sweaty till 9:00 late night as the sunlight stay longer in summer days. I always keep fruits handy so that I can blend them to juices and smoothies when they get back from outside, store bought juice cans are rare sight at our home.
So friends, stay safe in summer as the blistering heat waves are suppose to be deadly, keep yourself and family hydrated with plenty of water, fruits, juices etc. And next time you hit the supermarket, grab a bag of blueberry and make this Smoothie at home. Enjoy Summer, stay safe and healthy :-)

Ingredients Used:-

1. Chiquita Banana - 1
2. Blueberry - 1 cup
3. Milk- 1 Cup
4. Water ~ ½ cup
5. Non-fat yogurt -   ½ cup
6. Ice cubes few 

Preparation Method:-

• Pour some water in a bowl, drop the blueberries and leave it for two-three minutes. Wash them well, repeat the process for two-three times.
• In a juice blender, throw in the blueberries, roughly chopped bananas(just break them into two-three pieces), milk and Ice cubes. Blend them well for couple of minutes.
• Add water and yogurt blend again for another minute. Pour into tall glasses and serve immediately.

Note:- I have not added any sugar, the sweetness of banana and blueberries was just enough for us, even kids didn't demand for adding sugar. If you want it more sweet please go ahead and add some sugar as well, Enjoy the smoothie :-)

 

Sending this to Divya's Showcase Fun In the Sun and Let's Cook # 16 ~ Kids Special

Cilantro Cucumber Lime Cooler

Friends, a humble reminder on the event happening at Cook-Ezee. The Kerala Kitchen Event will end on 31st March. You have one more day to send your entries, so rush in your beautiful and yummy entries as soon as possible :-)

Serves 1 Tall Glass
Ingredients:-

1. Cilantro/Coriander Leaves chopped ~ 2tbsp
2. Cucumber ~ 4 thin slices(add/reduce as required)
3. Sugar ~ 3 tbsp
4. Water - 1 cup + 1 cup
5. Ice Cubes few
6. Fresh Lime/Lemon Juice ~ 2 tbsp(I used juice of ½ lime)
7. Lime/Lemon slice - 1(To Garnish, Optional)
8. Cucumber Slice - 2(To Garnish, Optional)
9. Tip part of a Cilantro - To Garnish(Optional)

Preparation Method:-

• Boil a cup of water and add sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and let it boil till the water reduces to  ½ cup and get form a sugar syrup. Set aside and let it cool.
• Peel the skin from cucumber, slice it. Grind the cucumber and cilantro by adding a cup of water. Strain and pour into a tall glass(I didn't strain it).
• Squeeze out the lime juice from half a Lime/Lemon to the cooler. Add  2tbsp(or more) sugar syrup according to the sweetness required and stir well.
• Add few Ice cubes, insert few slices of cucumber and garnish with a slice of Lime/Lemon and cilantro and serve immediately.

Note:-

1. I have given a basic sugar syrup which you can make in bulk and store it refrigerated for later use in other coolers/cocktails/soft drinks that calls for syrups. Can add your favorite flavors as well.
2. Those who don't like the taste of raw cucumber can cook and grind it as well. Lessen the cilantro if you don't like the taste of it.
3. You can add chilled soda water instead of plain water if desired while blending.
4. Nutritional benefits off cucumber is high, it is good for acidity, blood pressure, excellent cooling agent, helps in dissolution of kidney stones, is Diuretic-encouraging waste removal through urination, good for puffy eyes, helps water retention and many more. So eat it raw, consume them as cooler/plain juice, use it on skin/eyes as beautifying agent choice is all yours and the benefits you already know :-)
5. Cilantro helps increase HDL Cholesterol(good kind) and reduce LDL Cholesterol(bad kind), good source of Iron, Magnesium and helps fighting anemia, helps detoxify the body and many more.

Sending this to EP Series: Herbs & Spices, Beat The Heat, Summer Spirits, Summer Splash

 

Blackberry Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients:-

1. Fresh Blackberry - 2 cups
2. Yogurt - 1 cup
3. Brown sugar - 1/2 cup(can add  more or less according to your taste)
4. Ice cubes - 10(or as needed)
5. Water - 1 cup

Preaparation Method:-

• Wash and clean the blackberry in running water, pat dry and set aside.
• In a juice blender put the berries, sugar, yogurt, water and blend well.
• Add the Ice cubes and blend again for a minute or two.
• Pour into a juice glass, add more Ice cubes if desired. Enjoy!!!

watermelon smoothie...

The most awaited summer has come, kids are enjoying their play outside. My husband is in full form to hit the soccer and cricket grounds. But this time summer seems to be very hot, that too so early. It is great time for fruits, they are the best sellers in the market. They are consumed as it is, in the form of Juices, Smoothies, Milk Shakes, Fruit punch's and many more colorful forms. It is a treat for the eyes to watch them in so many colors and really refreshing for the mind in hot summer. 

So here is my watermelon Smoothie, very simple and easy to prepare and very tasty too...

Water Melon - 2 cups
Lemon Juice - 2 tsp
Ice cubes few
Sugar - 3 tbsp(optional, i added it for my kids only)

Preparation Method:-

Blend everything together. Strain and serve with few more ice cubes...
(You can add some Whip cream or vanilla ice-cream on top to make it rich and more sweet, but we love them as it is)

Note:- Watermelon in nature, are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and B6. They are also a great source of potassium, and extremely low in sodium. Daily consumption of watermelon is said to be very effective to cure kidney disorders.