Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Dry Fruits Milkshake

Dry Fruits and Nuts Milkshake



I tried to make this dry fruits and nuts milkshake with ice cream to satisfy my carving for Fruit Shop's (on Greams road, Chennai) Jughead special. Thought not exactly the same one as I am not sure what gets into Jughead special, the one I tried was a bit similar to it in taste and texture.

Ingredients: Quantity
Almonds (Soaked and peeled) 5-6 nos
Cashew 3-5 nos
Pistachios (shells and skin peeled) 3-4 nos
Walnuts (shells and skin peeled) (optional) 1-2 nos
Raisins 3-4 nos
Dates Deseeded 2-3 nos
Dried Figs 1-2 nos
Sugar/honey (optional)* 1-2 tsp
Milk 1 cup
Ice Cream (Preferably Vanilla) 1-2 scoops
Crushed Ice(optional) 3-4 tbsp


Preparation:
1) Add 1/4 cup milk and all the nuts and dry fruits and blend into a paste (Not very coarse or not super fine).
2) Add the remaining milk and blend for a couple of seconds.
3) Add the ice cream and crushed ice (if using) and just pulse it to blend well.
4) This holds good into a large serving cup. Serve chill.

Note: * You need not use sugar/honey. The dry fruits and ice cream add enough sweet taste to the milkshake.
** You can use all the nuts and dry fruits or just mix and match of your own choice.
*** You can add different flavors like cardamom powder or saffron soaked in milk.
**** You can use almond milk instead of milk.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Strawberry Granita

Strawberry Granita



Cool Strawberry Granita tastes even better during a terrible hot summer day. It is made with simple ingredients but the process and freezing consumes some time.

Ingredients: Quantity
Fresh Strawberry 3 cups
Sugar 1 Cup (or according to taste)
Water 1 Cup
Lemon Juice 1-2 tbsp

Preparation:
1) Blend the chopped strawberries, water, lemon juice and sugar together.
2) Place it in a strainer and strain it. Discard the seeds and have a smooth strawberry mixture.
3) Add the strawberry mixture into a big box(freezer safe) and freeze it for 40-45 min's.
4) Take it out of the freezer when it starts to freeze on the sides and still wobbly at the center. Use a fork and scrape the frozen parts from the sides to the center and return back to the freezer. Make sure to scrape the entire mixture well.
5) Repeat the process in step-4 every 30-40 min's for a couple of times. Freeze it for couple of hours or overnight.
6) Remove from freezer and scoop the strawberry granules into a cup and serve immediately. You can return the box into the freezer and use it within a couple of days.