Watermelon lemon basil slush(tini)

Summer is here and so are the fresh greens and summer fruits. What better way to beat the heat and enjoy the sun than to make juices, mock tails and cocktails with the fresh produce. Fresh basil were being sold at the local farmers market for a dollar a bunch and it will be pure sin to let go of it..lol

So, had been buying them and trying out on pasta and soup and realized they r good with drinks too. Found this amazingly simple slush recipe with lemon and basil and to give it a kick I cranked it up with a bit of vodka and made it a cocktail in the end.

Adding the alcohol is purely optional. The slush is super yumm without the spirit too.

Ingredients

4 cups chopped watermelon cubes

1/2 cup roughly chopped basil

1/4cup sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 lemon or 1tbsp of lemon juice

120ml or lesser vodka(optional)

Prep time: 3 hrs           Slush time: 5 mins

Preparation:

- chop the watermelon into cubes and freeze them on a plate for 2-3 hrs minimum

- in a saucepan combine the sugar and water and boil until the sugar dissolves.

- switch off heat and add the roughly chopped basil into the sugar syrup and let it cool down for an hour

- when the melons are frozen, add half of them into a blender along with required sugar syrup( as per sweet liking), lemon juice and pulse.

- now blend in the remaining melons and pulse a little

- serve them in glasses with a sprig of basil on top

- if you prefer to make it a cocktail, add vodka along with the lemon and sugar syrup in the blender and there is your watermelon slushtini;-)

- if adding vodka, you might need more sugar syrup

Egg Burgi / Egg Sramble

Yet another on my to do list that I have been wanting to post. Simple and quick egg scramble for the rush hour breakfast or a side for roti or a quick starter for a cocktail party...this is a versatile dish that can go along as a dish by itself or as an accompaniment to any other meal.

Cutting down on any long talks, I go straight to the recipe. This was made in less than 10 mins so had no time for pictures step by step.

Ingredients

- 4 eggs
- 2 or 3 green chillies finely chopped
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 1 tomato finely chopped
- a sprig of coriander leaves finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin powder(jeera)
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tbsp oil

Prep time: 5 mins                             Cook time: 5 mins

Preparation:

- Break the eggs on to a mixing bowl( I use only whites for diet reasons) and beat the eggs well to blend them.
- In a pan, heat the oil and once hot, add the onions and green chillies and saute till onion begins to be translucent.
- Now, add the tomatoes and give it a stir while adding salt, pepper, cumin and coriander powder.
- Once the raw smell of the powders disappear whisk in the beaten eggs into the pan and keep stirring the mixture.
- In a minute the eggs will get scrambled along with the masala and your dish is ready to serve.
- Garnish with the corainder before serving.

Quick Masala Peanuts - Party Starters

Ok, now I have some very precious 30 minutes to post this long pending cocktail starters. My lil one is sleeping and she will be up like a clock in 30 mins...So, I hope to be able to complete the post in this space of time left:-)

The below peanut masala is very simple and one that I prepared in a jiffy while we had a sudden party at home. I was being challenged on what I can bring up on table quickly and thats how this was born right out of the shelfs.

Ingredients

- 100gm Roasted unsalted peanuts (skin peeled)
- 1 small onion finley cut
- 1 small tomato finely cut
- 1 tsp oil
- 1/2 tsp black pepper powder( or as per taste)
- finely chopped coriander
- Salt to taste

Prep time: 5 mins                                             Cook time: 5 mins

Preparation:

- Heat oil in a pan and add the finely chopped onions
- As the onions begin to get translucent, add the tomatoes and give it a stir
- Add salt and pepper and mix everything well
- Now add the peanuts, stir and leave for a minute
- Transfer to the serving dish and sprinkle coriander on top.

Notes: Do not saute the onion and tomato a lot as they lose the crispiness.
- Can add green chillies if you prefer.