Sizzling Summer!

It’s a blistering 45 degrees C (113 degrees F) in this part of the world.There’s this blast of hot , dry air which hits you in the face when you step out of the cool environs of your home. It’s known as “loo” in the local language.There’s a pall of dust outside which makes it “look” cloudy. But that’s deceptive.It’s still HOT.
Braving this heat is the flamboyant Gulmohar-a tough and hardy tree, whose bright orange flowers bloom in summer-spreading a beautiful canopy of orange against the dull grey-blue summer skies.
The gorgeous Bougainvillea also helps break the monotony of the dull summer day…standing defiant in the heat.Beautiful colors of purple, orange and white.The mango tree in full bloom at this time of the year brings back a treasure trove of memories .Of me and my siblings clambering (trying to!) the mango tree in our back yard and plucking the raw fruit, and then enjoying the raw sourness of it…after adding a pinch of salt to it!
On the long drive to work one can spot the watermelon and cantaloupe sellers on either side of he road.


Cart loads of plump juicy golden yellow mangoes are seen all across the city.All through this harsh summer season we’ll see a different variety of mango-almost a new variety each month.Each having a distinctive texture and flavor. Peaches,lychees, cherries and green almonds have made their appearance.

Dull summer days still vibrant with so many of natures hues and colors.

Adding to the ubiquitous presence of these fruit is the tender coconut-popularly known as “daab”.Coconut water-pure, natural and so refreshing in summer. The tender position inside-a treat to eat.

Prior to the fizz-drink era and the tetrapak drink era, our Mom’s and Grand moms had ways and means of helping us survive this intense heat.”Anti-loo” was the name given to these refreshing summer drinks.
The humble “Nimbu pani” (Lime water) or “Nimbu soda” (Lemonade), the delicious “Aam Ka Paana” a subtly flavored mango drink made with roasted,peeled raw mangoes,the Mango Lassi (a yogurt mango drink), the “lassi”-flavored or plain sweet/salted.Delicious, easy on the calories and truly cooling.


Nimbu Pani

2 glasses cold water
Juice of 1 lime
Pinch of salt
Sugar or equivalent
Some ice

For Nimbu Soda-replace the water with club soda.

Fruit Lassi


1 cup yogurt
½ cup diced fruit (mango/strawberry/banana)
Sugar or substitute if desired
½ cup water
Crushed ice

Blend together .Chill.Serve in tall glasses.

Herbed Lassi

1 cup yogurt
½ tsp grated ginger
1 tsp chopped fresh mint leaves
Pinch of cumin powder
Salt
1 tsp sugar (or substitute)
Crushed ice

Blend,chill, serve in tall glasses.

Watermelon Cooler

2 cups de-seeded, cubed watermelon
1 cup water
1 cup crushed ice
2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon ginger juice
2 teaspoons honey (or sugar/sugar substitute)

Blend together. Chill.Serve!

Aam Ka Panna(Mango Cooler!)

8 raw mangoes, boiled in water, peeled, and pulp removed.
Boil the pulp in 8 cups water. Add salt,1/2 a cup of sugar, juice of 2 limes, a teaspoon of cumin powder.Simmer for 10 minutes. Allow to cool. Bottle when cool, and refrigerate. This is a concentrate, to make the drink, pour out mango mixture in ½ a glass, and make up the remaining volume with water. Add crushed ice. Serve in tall glasses.

Mango Salad

3 cups mango (not over ripe-just firm), peeled and cubed
1 tablespoon tamarind sauce (recipe in previous post)
1 teaspoon oil
½ teaspoon small mustard seeds (optional)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh coriander
½ teaspoon red chilli powder
1 dry red chilli, broken into 3 parts
Salt

Heat oil.Add mustard seeds and broken red chilli pieces. Pour over mango. Add tamarind sauce, chilli powder and salt.Mix. Chill.Garnish with coriander.Serve chilled.