Gasagase Payasa (Poppy seeds Milkshake)

Gasagase Payasa/Kheer is one of the traditional drink in Indian cooking especially South India.It made in different method one of the method which my mother makes is here.My MIL dry raost's the poppy seeds and then grind them.So it can be made in 2 ways.Poppy seeds is the main ingredient used to make this Payasa/kheer. Poppy seeds are used mainly as Opium so drink this at night or when you are relaxing at home as you may doze away.

Its a simple and easy to make drink.So make them on weekend and relax.

Ingredients:

2tsp Poppy seeds
1tsp Rice
15-20 Almonds
1tbsp Fresh coconut
1tbsp Jaggery
1 cup Milk
1pinch Cardamom powder
2-3 strings Saffron(optional)
Almond slices for garnishing

Method:

Soak Poppy seeds, almonds,rice for about an hour add coconut and grind it to a fine paste.Now in a pan take 1 cup milk,jaggery and the paste and get to a boil in a low flame. Once the Payasa/kheer thickens switch off the flame and garnish with almonds and serve warm or chill it in the refrigerator and serve a cool drink.

Note: Boil the payasa in low flame as the bottom burns fast.

Tomato Soup with Garlic Bread

Tomato soup is one of my favorite soup,its only because of its texture and wonderful taste. Drinking the soup with Garlic bread exaggerates its tastes.

Ingredients:

1 cup Tomato puree(take 2 tomatoes and blend it)
2-3 basil leaves(or 1/2tsp dry basil)
1/2cup Onions chopped
1 cloves Garlic
1 inch Ginger chopped
1/2cup Bell peppers chopped (Capsicum)
1/4cup Celery chopped(optional)
1 tsp Pepper flakes
1+1tsp Butter+ Oil
salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1tsp Heavy cream

Method:

Take butter and oil in a frying pan and when its hot add onions and saute'.Add ginger and garlic, then add bell peppers and a saute' few more minutes.Then add celery and tomato puree and let it boil for few minutes till the water in the tomato evaporates.Now add basil and salt & pepper, mix it well and allow it to cool. Blend everything in a mixer/blender and pour it back in the pan and boil it again for 2 more minutes and add a spoon of heavy cream to it ,pour it to a serving bowl with the store bought Garlic bread. Serve hot.



[Note: Garnish with a spoon of butter or the remaining cream.If you have a food processor then no need to cool the puree.]

Strawberry & Banana Smoothie

Smoothie is one of the best drink to cool in the hot summer days.Smoothie mainly originated from Brazil.Its a very simple recipe as you blend everything together at one shot and its ready.

Ingredients:
1 Banana
4-5 Strawberries
1/2cup Apple juice
1 cup strawberry yogurt/Plain Yogurt
1tsp Honey/Sugar

Method:
Put all the ingredients in a blender/mixie and blend it into a smooth liquid.Pour it into a glass/cup and garnish with a strawberry and enjoy.


[Note: You can add ice cubes while blending or u can use frozen strawberries for a cold smoothie.Apple juice gives a nice sour taste to the drink but it can be substituted by grape juice or strawberry nectar.]

Mango Lassi

Lassi is a popular drink in India especially in summer.Its a buttermilk with a little sugar in it. Summer also reminds me of Mangoes.So here comes a combination of two summer favorites.

Ingredients:

1cup Plain yogurt/curds
1cup Mango pulp/fresh mango puree
2tsp Sugar(if mango pulp is sweetened u can avoid extra sugar)
a pinch of salt
a piece of fresh mint for garnish.

Method:

Add all the ingredients except mint leaves and blend it till the mango and yogurt is mixed together about 2-3 minutes.Then pour it into a glass and garnish with Mint leaves and is ready to drink.

Note: Ice cubes can be added while blending to make it a chill drink or u can make it and refrigerate before serving.