Strawberry Smoothie

This one sounds like a no-brainer, but the secret ingredient makes it super awesome


Whizz together:
10 strawberries, destalked
2 tbsp sugar
3/4 cup yoghurt
1 tbsp cream cheese
1/4 cup water
5-6 ice cubes

Adjust yoghurt and water to the desired consistency. Use sprinkles if you want to brighten up the day further.

Makes 2 large glasses

Plum & Cherry Juice

The brilliant red of both the fruits are such a delight to see in the summers. Unfortunately though if they haven't ripened fully or are not as sweet, especially plums, they are difficult to enjoy.
I had a box of plums that were a little sour so I thought it better to make something I would enjoy out of it. If I had a de-seeder I might have baked something with it. But the seeds are difficult to remove without wasting a part of the fruit. So juicing was the best option. I added cherries for some extra flavour.

You'll need:
7-8 small plums
Handfull of cherries
4-5 tbsp sugar (according to taste)
Water to boil

Wash the fruits and remove the stems. Put them in a saucepan. Take enough water to just cover the fruits in the saucepan and add the sugar. Boil till the fruits are soft enough to remove the seeds.

Don't throw the water it was boiled in.

If it is easy to remove the skin then just remove it through a sieve and add the pulp to the water.
If the skin doesn't come off easily, especially for the cherries, then mix it in a blender and sieve it.

Once it cools down, put it in the fridge to chill. It will serve as a concentrate. Add some cold water in equal parts before serving.

Tomato Juice

I love tomato juice - V8 is my favourite but it has way too much salt. I wanted to try for a healthier alternative at home. It tasted good, but it was a bit more effort for the small output (2 small glasses).

You'll need:
5-6 large tomatoes
4-5 celery stalks (no leaves)
salt/pepper to taste
1 tbsp sugar (if needed)

Wash the tomatoes thoroughly. Pour some boiling water on it so that the skins come off.
Boil the skinless tomatoes in 1 cup of water for about 5 minutes.

In a blender, put in the tomatoes and celery stalks and blend till smooth. Add some water if the consistency is too thick (but not the water the tomatoes were boiled in).

Sieve the paste and add water and seasoning to preference
and taste.

Mulled Wine

I've always wanted to try mulled wine but was never in a place cold enough to warrant warm alcohol. So this year I decided that even if I have to switch on the AC to enjoy it, I will.

Merry Christmas!

This is what goes into it:
1 bottle red wine (Merlot)
100 gms caster sugar (or 1/2 cup honey)
1tsp dry ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 stick whole cinnamon
3 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 vanilla pod, halved
2 whole star anise
Zest of 1 orange
Zest of 1 lime
Juice of 1 orange
1/4 cup brandy (optional)

Put a 2 cups of wine in a saucepan over low heat and mix in all the ingredients. You may alter the amount of sugar/honey and even the spices as per your taste. Do not bring to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is syrupy, add the rest of the wine and brandy (if using), and continue to heat on low for another 10 minutes. Filter and serve warm. It's like Christmas in a glass!