Grapes Mojito.

A refreshing and cool drink for those sultry summers, but equally refreshing during the winter months when grapes are in season. You can make this Mojito with both green and black grapes.

Ingredients:

100 gms black grapes

1 lemon

A few mints leaves

A small bottle of Sprite

A pinch of salt ( optional)

Method:

Cut the lemon into half. Cut one half of the lemon into half again and tip it into a glass along with the mint leaves. Muddle them well. Puree the grapes and sieve them. Add as much puree as you would prefer into each glass. Pour in the Sprite and serve topped with mint leaves and a slice of lemon .

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Gooseberry/ Amla chutney – 2

This is the second variety of Amla chutney or gozzu as the Konkani speaking community calls it. The first variety had raw garlic added to it. Here, the number of garlic cloves added are more and they are roasted in ghee. This chutney can be served with any kind of dosa or also slathered on bread.

Ingredients:

10 tbsps grated coconut

3 brined gooseberries

10 garlic cloves

1 tsp ghee

7 roasted red chillies

Salt.

Method:

Wash the brined gooseberries and pit them. Heat the ghee in a pan and roast the garlic to a rich brown. Tip it into the blender along with the grated coconut, roasted red chillies, gooseberry and salt. Grind to a smooth paste adding very little water. Do remember to be careful with salt as the brined gooseberries already contain it. Best eaten fresh.

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Gajar/ Carrot Thoran.

Gajar,  as carrot is known in Hindi and other vernacular languages in India is used in a variety of savoury and sweet preparations. Posting a simple Thoran or stir fry which is served with rice and dal or with sambhar rice.

Ingredients:

250 gms carrot

1 large onion finely chopped

3 tbsps grated coconut

2 cloves of garlic

1 tsp chilly powder

A pinch of turmeric powder

1/2 tsp cumin seeds

1 dry red chilly broken into bits

2 sprigs curry leaves

1 tbsp oil

1 tsp mustard

Salt.

Method:

Peel the carrots, wash and chop them fine. Heat oil in a pan. Add in the mustard seeds and after they splutter add the dry red chilly bits and curry leaves. Toss. Add the finely chopped onion and saute for a couple of minutes. Add the chopped carrot, salt and sprinkle with water. Cover and allow to cook. Blend the grated coconut, chilly powder, turmeric powder, garlic and cumin seeds to a coarse paste. Tip it into the thoran and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle with a little water if it’s too dry and roast it till the coarse paste is well infused. Serve hot.

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Guava juice.

Guavas are rich in nutrients. They contain Vitamin C, protein, fiber, potassium and magnesium, Vitamin A and B9 and also are a major source of antioxidants.

I found a batch of beautiful bright pink coloured guavas so was tempted to turn them into a juice. The remaining were turned into a delicious pickle. I have saved a couple to make a guava juice with chilly.

Ingredients:

4 medium ripe guavas

Sugar as required

A pinch of salt ( optional)

Method:

Cut the guavas roughly and tip them into the blender with half a glass of water. Blend to a pulp and sieve the mixture. Add sugar and salt, a few icecubes and adjust consistency with chilled water. Serve chilled.

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Ghia/ Bottle gourd stir fry.

Ghia or bottlegourd is commonly used all over  India. Though Halva made of bottle gourd is the most popular of preparations, a huge variety of other items like subzi, kofta, coconut based curries and stir fried are made from this humble vegetable.

Ingredients:

300 gms bottle gourd, peeled and chopped into fine bits

4 dry red chillies cut into bits

10 cloves of garlic crushed

1 tbsp coconut oil

Salt.

Method:

Heat oil in a pan. Drop in the crushed garlic and roast on a low flame to a rich golden brown. Add the  chilly bits and toss. Drop in the chopped bottle gourd, salt and half a glass of water. Mix and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cook till done. Serve hot.

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Grapes Raita.

This black grapes raita is not just a cooler, but also a meal by itself. I prefer using the black grapes instead of the green ones as they are slightly tart and give that zing to the dish. You can add masala of your choice, but I prefer mine without them.

Ingredients:

Black grapes

1 bowl of thick curds/ yoghurt

3 tsps powdered sugar

Salt

A sprinkle of chaat masala

Coriander leaves to garnish.

Method:

Drop salt, chaat masala and sugar into the curds and whisk it well. Chop the coriander leaves fine and add them. Whisk again.. Drop in the grapes either halved or whole. Serve chilled.

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