Strawberry Milk Shake

Today's recipe is simple, but utterly delicious Strawberry Milk Shake. My kids love this so much that I'm pushed to make it often, would rather say I make it whenever I've some strawberries. These are instant energy boosters and perfect summer drink for kids as well as for grown ups. You can make smoothie with just milk, strawberries and some sugar or you can go for more luscious and filling one's like this Strawberry Milk Shake. I keep the milk in freezer for sometime to crystallize the milk(don't make it Ice) though its purely optional. Make this today and relish them this summer :)

Ingredients:-

1. Strawberries ~ 10 to 12 nos
2. Chilled Milk ~ 1 Cup(Kept in freezer for 30- 45 mins to get crystallized milk but not fully iced - optional) 
3. Water ~ ½ cup
4. Sugar ~ ½ cup
5. Vanilla Ice cream - 2 to 3 Scoops(optional, I added them)

Preparation Method:-

• Wash and hull the strawberries and pat dry. 
• Blend strawberries together with milk, water and sugar till Strawberries are fully blended. 
• Add Vanilla Ice-Cream and blend again. Pour to tall individual glasses and serve immediately.

Sending this to Divya's 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!!!