Summer Recipe Roundup: Beat the Heat with these Delicious Dishes-

Ever wondered how you can turn your boring kitchen into a Summer Paradise? On Sun-soaked days we crave for juicy watermelons and pulpy mangoes and Ice Cream Sundaes, take your cravings to the next level with these unique recipes to spice up this season! From crazy flavor combinations to helpful culinary tips and hacks, join me on this Journey which will leave you craving for more. Summer is a season for having Endless Aamras and lots of Kulfis, these are a few recipes that are tailored to make your summer one of a kind.

Let us dive into these 6 Summer Recipes which will help us beat the heat:

1. Mango Lassi Popsicles: Introducing a Scrumptious solution to beat the heat. This simple and detailed recipe offers a cooling and refreshing twist on the classic Mango Lassi, which is perfect for hot days. Follow along for a step-by-step guide to create these frozen summer treats.

The Recipe:

• Begin by peeling the ripe mangoes and dicing them into small chunks. Make sure to discard the seed from the centre.

• In a blender, mix the diced mangoes, plain yogurt, honey, and powdered cardamom. Mix until smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey if needed.

• Carefully pour the mango lassi mixture into popsicle moulds, leave a little space at the top for expansion. If you do not have popsicle moulds, using small paper cups or ice cube trays can also work. Put in popsicle sticks into the centre of each mould. Freeze Them.

• Once the popsicles are fully frozen, remove them from the moulds by running them under warm water for a few seconds to loosen them up. Slowly pull the popsicles out of the moulds and they are ready to serve!

2) Watermelon Mint Cooler: Quench your thirst and beat the heat with this cooling drink. This detailed recipe promises to give you a drink that will leave you craving for more. Follow along step-by-step to create this magical beverage.

The Recipe:

• Begin by washing the watermelon and mint leaves thoroughly. Cut the watermelon into chunks, remove seeds if necessary.

• In a blender, mix the chopped watermelon and fresh mint leaves. Blend on a higher speed until smooth and well combined.

• Add the lemon juice to the blender along with honey or sugar, adjusting the sweetness to your preference. If you prefer a tangier flavour, you can add more lime juice. For a hint of savoury flavour, add a pinch of black salt, if preferred. Strain the mixture if you enjoy a smooth texture

• Move the strained watermelon mint mixture to a pitcher and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to chill thoroughly. This will make sure that your drink is nice and cold when served.

• When ready to serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled watermelon mint cooler over the ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig and a small slice of watermelon, if preferred.

3) Cucumber Raita with Pomegranate: Introducing a heavenly combination of cucumber, creamy yogurt and vibrant pomegranate, our recipe of cucumber raita and pomegranate is a celebration of unique textures and flavors. Follow along a step-by-step guide to create this masterpiece.

The Recipe:

• Begin by peeling the cucumber and grating it using a grater or food processor. After grating it, place the cucumber in a mesh sieve or colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle a little salt over the grated cucumber and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. This will help ooze out excess moisture from the cucumber.

• After the cucumber has been kept aside, use your hands to squeeze out the excess moisture. You can also wrap the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the water.

• In a mixing bowl, mix the plain yogurt until smooth. Add the grated cucumber, fresh pomegranate seeds, chopped mint leaves, chopped cilantro leaves, roasted cumin powder, and black salt (if preferred). Mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.

• Taste the raita and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more salt or cumin powder if needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the cucumber raita for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to blend and chill the raita.

• Before serving, give the raita a quick stir. Transfer it to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds and a few mint leaves for a fresh and colourful presentation.

4)Coconut water popsicles: Beat the summer heat with a taste of the tropics with our Coconut Water Popsicles recipe. This detailed guide promises a refreshing and hydrating treat that is as simple to make as it is delicious to devour.

The Recipe:

• Begin by gathering all the ingredients. If you are using fresh coconut water from a coconut, carefully open the coconut and collect the water. Alternatively, you can use packaged fresh coconut water available at grocery stores.

• In a mixing bowl, mix the fresh coconut water with honey or sugar, adjusting the sweetness to your preference. If you prefer a hint of vanilla flavour, you can also add vanilla extract at this stage. Stir well until the sweetener is fully dissolved into the coconut water.

• If you prefer creamier popsicles, you can add canned coconut milk to the sweetened coconut water. This step is optional but adds a rich and creamy texture to the popsicles. Stir well to combine.

• Arrange your popsicle moulds on a flat surface. If you are using moulds with individual slots, place them on a tray for stability. If your moulds come with sticks, insert the sticks into the moulds.

• Carefully pour the sweetened coconut water mixture into each popsicle mould, filling them almost to the top. Leave a little space at the top to allow the popsicles to expand as they freeze. Place them in the freezer.

• Once the popsicles are fully frozen, remove them from the moulds by running them under warm water for a few seconds to loosen them up. Gently pull the popsicles out of the moulds and they are ready to serve!

5)Minty Aam Panna: Introducing a quintessential summer refresher straight from the heart of Indian cuisine—Minty Aam Panna! This detailed recipe brings together the tangy essence of raw mangoes with the beautiful aroma of fresh mint, creating a drink that is both cooling and flavourful.

The Recipe:

• Wash the raw mangoes thoroughly under running water. Peel the mangoes and remove the flesh from the seeds. Cut the mango flesh into chunks and set aside.

• In a large vessel, bring water to a boil. Add the mango chunks to the boiling water and cook until they become soft and pulpy, about 10-15 minutes.

• Once the mango chunks are cooked, remove them from the water and let them cool slightly. In a blender, mix the cooked mango flesh, fresh mint leaves, sugar or jaggery, roasted cumin powder, and black salt. Blend until you get a smooth puree.

• Transfer the mango-mint mixture to a mixing bowl. Slowly add the reserved cooking water to the mixture, stirring continuously, until you achieve your desired consistency. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar or jaggery if needed.

• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the minty Aam panna for at least 1-2 hours to chill thoroughly.

• Once chilled, give the minty Aam panna a quick stir. Pour it into serving glasses filled with ice cubes. Garnish each glass with a fresh mint sprig and a slice of lemon, if preferred.

6)Masala Buttermilk: Introducing a heavenly Indian summer drink, that is as refreshing as it is flavourful. This detailed recipe brings together the creamy richness of yogurt with a medley of savory spices, creating a cooling beverage that is perfect for beating the heat.

The Recipe:

• In a large mixing bowl, mix together the plain yogurt and water until smooth and well combined. Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired consistency for the buttermilk.

• To the buttermilk base, add roasted cumin powder, black salt, black pepper powder, and any optional spices like ground ginger, ground coriander, and ground turmeric. Stir well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the buttermilk.

• Taste the masala buttermilk and adjust the seasoning according to your preference. You can add more salt, pepper, or spices as needed to suit your taste.

• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the masala buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together and chill thoroughly.

• Once chilled, give the masala buttermilk a quick stir. Pour it into serving glasses and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves and mint leaves, if desired.

As the crazy heat of summer is upon is, these vibrant and refreshing recipes serve as a culinary oasis, offering a cool respite from the sun’s relentless rays. From the zesty tang of Minty Aam Panna to the creamy indulgence of Coconut Water Popsicles, each dish embodies the essence of summer in every bite. Whether lounging poolside or hosting a backyard barbecue, these culinary creations are sure to impress guests and elevate any gathering. +Cheers to a season filled with culinary adventures and the joy of sharing good food with loved ones!