It’s so good to be back after a small break from blogging as I was busy with some personal commitments. We moved to a new house and are still in the midst of unpacking and arranging. My kitchen is getting ready and I can’t wait to try out my upcoming recipes in our new space. Also, I’d been utilizing this break to plan for my blog and line up interesting recipes for the weeks to come, so stay tuned!

Coming to the recipe of the day, if you are someone looking to add more greens into your diet, then this is exactly what you need to start your day with. Vegetables like kale and celery are not everyone’s favorite, and for them this drink is a great option to start including it in their diet.

The ingredients in this green juice are a complete package of nutrient rich vegetables and fruits which helps with digestion, prevents inflammation and of course boost your immunity. Like the Kale for example, which is an excellent source of Vitamin C, K and A, is a good source of Magnesium which helps to fight type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. It also helps to lowers cholesterol, and the high fiber and water content to boost your digestive health. Celery on the other hand, is a low-calorie vegetable which contains 95% water and is a good source of fiber thereby reducing digestive related issues and improving your gut health. Rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals, it’s a perfect addition to your diet. The combination of apples, oranges and ginger makes this drink even healthier with all the goodness providing immune support, liver detoxification, and boosting your metabolism.

Aside from the benefits of the greens, this healthy green juice is a great way to add more fluids into your body, especially during this summer Covid time where we limit our fluid intake being indoors. I personally enjoy this drink as my breakfast, but as a detoxifier and as a greens supplement, you can savor it anytime of the day.

This is a no added sugar recipe and is naturally sweetened with apples and oranges. In fact, the fruits make the juice taste so delicious that you won’t even realize the bitterness of kale or celery. And if it isn’t sweet enough for you, you can always add an extra apple.

Considering the countless health benefits this green juice packs in, it is one of the easiest and effective ways to include many fruits and vegetables into your diet for a healthy lifestyle.

Drink, Stay Safe & Healthy!!!!

Interested in more green smoothie recipes? Check these out:

1. Kale Smoothie with Mango and Banana
2. Green Smoothie with Spinach, Apple and Orange

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Healthy Green Juice

Healthy Green Juice, Naturally sweetened, made with kale,apples, oranges & celery! A simple blender recipe, and in no time your delicious glass of juice is ready!!!

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword celery, green juice, kale

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 strands of kale
• 1 celery stalk (bottom trimmed, washed and sliced)
• 1 green apple or 2 small mini red apple (cored)
• 1 orange
• ½ inch sized ginger (peeled and chopped)
• 1 cup water

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth. You can also use a juicer for this recipe.
• Using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, strain the juice to a serving glass and discard the pulp. If you enjoy your juice with pulp, you can drink as is.
• Drink it fresh, refrigerating is not recommended.

Notes

1. If the drink isn’t sweet enough for your taste, add one more apple and blend. This way you can naturally sweeten your drink.
2. You can skip ginger if you don’t like its spicy taste.

The post Healthy Green Juice appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Lassi is very popular in the Northern states of India, especially the original plain buttermilk version which is the go-to drink along with any meal. You can hardly find people who do not like Lassi and most probably they would be the ones who in general hate yogurt, otherwise this sweetened yogurt-based drink is a universally accepted digestive which prevents heartburns or bloating, and is an immunity booster & tummy soother. Tangy yogurt along with milk and pulpy mangoes make this drink a heavenly combination which you would not want to miss out on.

Mango, strawberry, and other flavored versions of Lassi slowly evolved over time and started filling up the shelves in cafes, bakeries and dessert shops. Among all the versions, Mango lassi has gained the maximum popularity in the rest of the world, thanks to the Indian restaurants who promote it as your must-have drink to cool you down after all the deliciously hot and spicy dishes you have savored.

This drink is easy to make and you should give it a shot if you have never prepared it at home; its Creamy from the mango pulp n milk, and perfectly sweetened with a slight hint of tanginess from the yogurt! You can even use canned mangoes for this recipe especially during off seasons when fresh mangoes are not available, but I highly recommend using fresh ripe pulpy mangoes for the perfect flavor!

Cheers!!!!

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Mango Lassi

Mango Lassi, an Indian Inspired Creamy Hearty Mango Drink made with Yogurt, Milk, and Ripe Mangoes! A Perfect Treat to Savor the Deliciousness of Mangoes and Beat the Summer Heat…!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Indian

Keyword drinks, lassi, mango lassi, summer

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 mangoes (cubed)
• ¾ cup yogurt
• ½ cup milk
• 2 tbsp sugar
• pistachios and saffron (garnish)

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Garnish with chopped pistachios and saffron strands. Enjoy!

The post Mango Lassi appeared first on Pepper Delight.

It’s Summer! The temperature is at its peak and in places like my hometown Kerala, the heat is unbearable. I was on vacation a few months ago and although it was way cooler, I struggled to survive. The drastic climate change in the recent years, recurring heat waves, lack of rains, sun burns, etc. take a toll on you and the foremost thing you need to keep yourself healthy is to stay hydrated. How better can it be than this wonderful granita recipe to cope up the heat, the perfect summer refreshment!!!

So, let’s talk about Granita!!

Granita is a semi frozen dessert made from fruit puree, sugar and other flavoring agents. The consistency is similar to shaved ice but with a coarse crystalline texture. Sorbet comes pretty close to a granita in terms of taste, but has a texture which is creamy and is made by a different freezing and churning process.

So how do you make a granita? The recipe is super simple with only three ingredients:

• A fruit puree – which acts the base. Use any fruits like watermelon, berry, mango, orange, cantaloupe, peaches… the options are endless.
• Sugar – you may add granulated sugar or honey for sweetness, although it is completely optional.
• Flavoring agents – like lime juice, lime zest, herbs, or even a dash of alcohol for that extra zing.

Blend all the ingredients together and freeze. The key to transform this frozen puree into a granita is the step which comes next; 3 to 4 rounds of scraping, shaving, and freezing until its turns into a crystalline granular texture.

Serve granita as-is by scraping it into your serving/dessert glasses, or top with whipped cream to make it extra fancy.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

Interested in more Watermelon recipes? Check out this refreshing cooler Watermelon Cucumber Agua Fresca 

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Watermelon Lime Granita

A Light n Refreshing Watermelon Lime Granita… just three ingredients
and you have a Perfect Summer Dessert to keep you Cool…!!!

Course Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Keyword granita, watermelon lime granita

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Freeze time 5 hours hours

Servings 5

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 4-5 cups of watermelon (cubed)
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water
• Grated lime zest from 1 lime
• Mint leaves (to garnish)

Instructions

• Puree watermelon along with lime juice and then strain to remove the seeds. Pour the strained puree into a 9*13 inch baking pan or any freezer safe container.
• In a separate pan, combine sugar with water and lime zest. Stir on a low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Turn off the flame and allow it to cool.
• Pour the cooled lime syrup into the watermelon puree, and stir to mix it well.
• Freeze for 30 minutes (uncovered). Once it starts to set along the edges, scrape using a fork to break the ice into tiny crystals, and freeze again. Repeat this process at 30-minute intervals for the next 3-5 hrs or until it has formed a shaved ice consistency.
• Keep it frozen until ready to serve. Serve by scraping into the serving glass and top with mint leaves.

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Hey Hellooo… It’s Spring already and I’m all set to welcome the Summer party anytime now! My cocktail glasses are out, spirits lined up, and there you go… Hands down to one of my favorite cocktail drinks; an Orange Lime Crush – Citrusy, Boozy, n Fizzy! I bet for the extreme heat now back home in Kerala(my hometown), this drink would be a best-seller!!

I personally prefer freshly squeezed orange juice over store bought ones, but either ways work for this drink. Although my recipe calls for a spoonful of sugar, you might want to check the sweetness before adding any, especially when using store bought juices as they tend to be sweet already.

If you are not big into cocktails, then do check out my Refreshing Orange Mint Mocktail for which I have received rave reviews and is an all-time favorite!

Cheers!!!!

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Orange Crush

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword cocktails, orange crush

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 oz vodka
• 3 oz orange juice (pref. freshly squeezed)
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 oz triple sec / orange liqueur
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Ice cubes
• Club soda / carbonated water

Instructions

• Add vodka, triple sec, lime juice, orange juice, and sugar to a cocktail shaker and shake to mix well.
• Into a glass filled with ice cubes, pour the mix and top-up with club soda.
• Garnish with orange slices, Enjoy!

Notes

1. Try out this recipe with a berry flavored club soda to top up, an excellent variant which I love.

The post Orange Crush appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I just can’t believe that summer is almost over! The summertime produces in stores will soon get replaced with that of Fall. Pumpkins, apples, & figs would start popping up every nook and corner… Well, in a way that is the beauty of every season. Time flies fast and somehow I feel that I have not had enough of this summer yet, loving this weather so much.

So, before fall arrives let me share one of my favorite drinks which uses a summer fruit as its main ingredient… Peach! The end of August is perhaps the best season for Peaches, they are so ripe, juicy and the aroma makes you want to scream for peach inspired desserts and drinks. Well, then how about a margarita with peach? Yeeppp, that’s a winner!

I’ve always loved a classic margarita, but this peach version takes it to the next level. It’s fruity flavours along with a hint of lime is so refreshing and perfect to beat the summer heat. All you need to do for this recipe is to puree fresh peaches and mix with tequila and triple sec. That’s it & You’re done – in less than 10 minutes!

This drink has a slightly thick consistency quite similar to that of a frozen margarita, but if you want it to be perfectly smooth, then strain the peach juice after pureeing.

Cheers!!!!

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Peach Margarita

Fruity, Sweet and Refreshing… Peach Margarita. A Perfect Companion to Beat the Heat and enjoy the rest of your Summer!!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword cocktails, margarita, peach

Prep Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 peaches
• 2 oz tequila
• 2 oz triple sec
• 3-4 tsp sugar
• Juice of half a lime
• Ice cubes
• Sea salt (optional, to rim the glass)
• Peach slice and lime wedge (for garnish)

Instructions

• Peal, slice and pit the peaches, and then puree in a blender with sugar and lime juice. You can add sugar according to your sweetness.
• Rub a lime wedge around the rim of each glass and dip in the salt. Set aside while you prepare the drink.
• Combine the peach puree with tequila and triple sec, stir to combine.
• Add ice cubes into the prepared glasses and pour the drink. Garnish with peach slices and lime wedges.
• Enjoy, Cheers!

The post Peach Margarita appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Smoothies are an integral part of my daily breakfast, and I do switch to it often from my regular Indian breakfast dishes. I love flavored yogurt, and when travelling yogurt recipes would be my first choice for breakfast. Its light, filling, gives you a trouble-free stomach, and most of all… keeps you happy & pleasant (the scientific reasoning behind that is it decreases excessive cortisol levels in your body); at least that’s how I feel!

Discovering new flavors by combining different fruits and proteins is fun, sometimes difficult too. One of my all-time favorite combo is strawberry and banana with a liquid (yogurt, almond / regular milk). So, this time I thought to explore a strawberry, banana, peach, yogurt combination … and Oh Boy, it came out Wonderful!

Greek yogurt is a protein powerhouse and has many health benefits which make it a must to include in your daily diet. Due to its high protein and Vitamin B12 content, it can be substituted for meat, especially if you are a vegetarian. As a probiotic, Greek yogurt is considered to be more nutritious than regular yogurts.

In this recipe, the slight tanginess from Greek Yogurt blends easily with the fruity flavours and the hint of sweetness from honey. The end result?  A Smoothie Bowl – Pretty n Perfect for your Breakfast with all your Favorite Fruits, Nuts & Seeds…

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

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Strawberry Peach Yogurt Bowl

A Healthy and a Protein packed Breakfast with Strawberries, Peaches & Greek Yogurt! Begin your day with this filling Yogurt Bowl, topped with your Favorite Fruits n Nuts…!!

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, yogurt bowl

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 6-8 strawberries
• 1 peach
• ½ of a banana
• 5.6 oz/¾ cup greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey / maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pepitas (topping)

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Top with sliced fresh fruits and pepitas. 

The post Strawberry Peach Yogurt Bowl appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Although Summer is starting officially in a few weeks, the heat has already kicked in here at St. Louis and its time for something cooling & refreshing.

Here is my summery take to the classic Moscow Mule, combining fresh raspberries with its core ingredients, making it a truly delightful cocktail. It’s refreshing, colorful, fruity n crisp.

Moscow mule is perhaps the easiest cocktail to make, because it has got only 3 core ingredients – Vodka, Ginger Beer and Lime. The lime keeps you refreshed on any hot day, while the ginger beer keeps your equally warm and cozy during the winters. So, to me it’s a drink favored throughout the year. This cocktail is usually served in a copper mug which keeps it chilled and fresh, but regular cocktail glasses would do as well.

Cheers!!!!

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Raspberry Moscow Mule

A Toast to this Summer with a Twist to a Classic Cocktail… This Refreshing Raspberry Moscow Mule is definitely going to be your Favorite Drink of the Season…!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword cocktail, drinks, moscow mule

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 10 -12 raspberries
• 2 oz vodka
• 6 oz ginger beer
• ½ lime squeezed
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves (garnish)
• Lime wedges (garnish)

Instructions

• Muddle the raspberries and strain into a cocktail shaker.
• Add lime juice and vodka, shake the shaker well to mix all the ingredients.
• Into a copper mug filled with ice cubes, pour the contents of the shaker and top with ginger beer.
• Garnish with mint leaves, a lime wedge, and fresh raspberries (optional).

The post Raspberry Moscow Mule appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I love smoothies for breakfast…they are delicious, light, refreshing and of course easy to prepare on any busy morning. But I also prefer not to lose its goodness by compromising on the nutritional benefits & taste, for time. So, my solution… Chia!

Chia seeds have amazing health benefits. It is a grain free superfood, high in fiber, calcium, Omega-3, and a protein too. It’s high fiber and calcium content keeps you full for a longer time thereby controlling your appetite, and helping in weight loss. Chia is naturally gluten free, which makes it a great protein source for people with Celiac disease. In addition, it is found to boost your metabolism levels too.

In my home, chia is served as a smoothie topping, in puddings, and sometimes as an egg replacement (Yes, it works!). So, what does it taste like? Chia doesn’t have any taste, it’s basically a filler which easily blends with any core ingredient and at the same time packed with its own goodness. You can top it with yogurt, fruit puree, granola, nuts or fruits to make it taste even better.

The basic recipe of a chia pudding is extremely simple. All you need is to soak chia seeds overnight in any milk of your choice and a sweetening agent. The consistency of a chia pudding is a slightly thick, wobbly, gel like texture. There is hardly any recipe here for this dish, if you know the right ratio of chia pudding, you can top it with endless options.

Enjoy, Happy Cooking…!

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Chia Breakfast Pudding

Brighten Up Your Day with an Overnight Chia Pudding with Fresh Fruits and Nuts…!! Vegan & Refined Sugar free… a Quick Breakfast and a Healthy Dessert...!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, chia pudding, healthy

Prep Time 2 minutes minutes

Servings 3

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For chia pudding

• 1 cup almond milk
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp maple syrup

For pink layer

• 4-5 strawberries
• 6-8 raspberries
• ¼ cup almond milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or more)

For green layer

• ½ cup frozen mangoes
• a handful of spinach
• ½ of banana
• ⅓ cup almond milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or more)

For yellow layer

• ¼ cup frozen mangoes
• ⅓ cup chopped pineapple
• ½ of banana
• ⅓ cup almond milk
• 1 tsp maple syrup (or more)

nuts and fresh fruits (garnish)

Instructions

• Start with the chia pudding ingredients by mixing them in a glass container until well combined. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes and give another stir to avoid any clumps and mix evenly.
• Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight in a closed container. The chia seeds will absorb the milk and swell up.
• Once the chia pudding is ready, prepare the different colored fruit layers. Blend each layer’s ingredients together until smooth, and keep aside.
• When ready to serve, add a layer of chia pudding to the serving glass. Carefully pour the colored fruit layer mix over the chia pudding with a spoon.
• Top with fresh fruits and nuts, Enjoy.

Notes

1. Substitute almond milk with your choice of milk. You can also use regular milk if you are not a vegan.

2. Vary the amount of maple syrup used to meet your sweetness needs. You can also substitute maple syrup with honey, dates, or any sweetening agent.

The post Chia Breakfast Pudding appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Its Winter, pretty cold this year and a bad Flu season! I have been longing to write this post since a few months, and that’s when I fell sick and almost hit by a flu. This recipe was certainly my life saver and it was around that time I read about the food trends for 2018 and the importance of this super food in our daily lives. I guess that was my motivation and here I am back with my blog post; Turmeric!

Turmeric in India

The quintessential spice of Indian Cuisine – Turmeric! Also known as Indian Saffron, turmeric gained worldwide attention in the recent years after its popularity rose in the food industries of Western Countries. For us Indians, Turmeric is not just a spice… it has been an eternal part of our lives for centuries. Its sacred, holy, medicinal, a food ingredient, cosmetic… and the list goes on!

The Haldi/Turmeric Ceremony of marriages is one significant ritual in Indian weddings. The turmeric powder is mixed with water to form a thick paste and applied to the bride’s and groom’s face, as a blessing. It also symbolizes purification of the body and soul, protection from evil spirits, and of course a cosmetic to keep your skin radiant and glowing… it’s your big day and you need to stand out! Like I said, Turmeric is indeed a magical spice!

How to include Turmeric in your diet?

There are plenty of dishes and recipes globally which use turmeric. I would recommend everyone to include it in your daily diet, especially kids who are prone to weather related health problems. Here are some tips:

1. Check out Indian recipes; you will find plenty of dishes which use turmeric. Include it in your curries, roasted veggies, or soups… it’s a healthy food color alternative too.
2. Can be added in small amounts to your rice recipes, dips, and salad.
3. A good ingredient in your smoothies, just Brightens up your Day!
4. Try out turmeric tea, lattes or the basic Turmeric Milk, aka Golden Milk.
5. And the simplest yet healthy method of them all– Turmeric in a spoon of honey, taken on an empty stomach; the perfect Revitalizer to start you day with!

Incorporating black pepper with turmeric helps the active absorption of turmeric into your blood stream.

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric has been long used in Ayurvedic medicine, and has many medicinal and health benefits. A glass of warm turmeric milk with a pinch of black pepper is considered as a basic cure for common cold, and to catch a good night’s sleep thereafter. Many others:

1. Turmeric is believed to possess anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
2. It helps to maintain insulin levels, and is widely used in the treatment for diabetes.
3. It acts as a blood purifier, removing toxins from the blood thereby protecting the tissues and other internal organs.
4. Widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce joint pains and inflammation.
5. Helps in maintaining serum cholesterol levels, thus reducing the chances of cardio vascular diseases.

How to remove Turmeric stains?

One of the biggest problems with Turmeric is, it can leave nasty stains. In the kitchen, staining your countertops is inevitable, but removing turmeric stains can become one tricky task. Although there are many methods to clean it, the baking soda method has always been my life saver. Mix baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste, and apply to the stained area. Leave it for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Tadaa…its clean!

Turmeric milk is prepared in different styles in India and this is one such variation which has been used commonly in my family.

Stay Healthy, Enjoy !!!!

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Turmeric Milk

Course Drinks

Cuisine Indian

Keyword turmeric milk

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 11 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon powder
• Pinch of black pepper
• 2 cups milk of your choice
• Honey / maple syrup /sugar (optional)

Instructions

• In a saucepan, boil the milk with turmeric, black pepper and cinnamon powder. Once it comes to boil, lower the flame and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes.
• Strain the milk to a glass, add honey / sugar if desired. Enjoy hot.

The post Turmeric Milk appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Winter has started to kick in with the weather getting chillier day by day, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Black Friday deals are already out, everyone is busy planning their holidays, and how are your preparations coming along? Did you give a thought about all the delicious dishes you plan to put up for this year’s Thanksgiving feast? I have started mine! So stay tuned for my upcoming posts will all my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. And to keep the ball rolling, here is a wonderful cocktail recipe… with family and friends coming over, you certainly need a drink to start off your party. I know limoncello is not a winter drink, but this Lemony Flavored Blueberry Cocktail is definitely a crowd pleaser!

This is my first attempt with a limoncello. I did some research to know more about this drink, and came across many interesting articles about the history and preparation of limoncello. This popular Italian lemon liqueur is made from the infusion of lemon peel in alcohol. It is kept covered for weeks, then strained and mixed with simple syrup, creating this yellow neon colored drink which is then served chilled. Being rich in lemon, the combination of limoncello with fruity flavors and other beverages gave rise to many wonderful cocktails, which are tangy, fruity and delicious.

Limoncello with blueberry juice gives you the right balance of sweetness n tartness. Give it a touch of fizzy soda and there you go! Its fun, festive, and refreshing, making it perfect for your parties and impressing your guests alike…

Enjoy…!

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Blueberry Limoncello Cocktail

Jazz up your Thanksgiving Party with this Vibrant and Festive Limoncello Blueberry Cocktail…!  

Course Drinks

Cuisine Italian

Keyword blueberry, cocktail, limoncello

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 oz limoncello
• 1 oz blueberry juice
• 5 oz lemonade
• ½ oz soda water
• Ice cubes

Instructions

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes and pour limoncello, blueberry juice, and lemonade. Place it’s cap on and shake well.
• Pour to a serving glass and top with soda. Enjoy!

The post Blueberry Limoncello Cocktail appeared first on Pepper Delight.

“Avocados with a Sweet Tooth” is the new trend! It’s now in desserts, ice creams and smoothies! I know for those of you who haven’t tried it out, this might not sound tasty. But if you are ready to experiment, Trust Me… it’s a great add on to your smoothies. You won’t even feel its taste because it blends easily with the other fruits.

Avocados are a great source of healthy fats, anti-oxidants, and are a low carb plant food. It helps with digestion due to its high fiber content despite being creamy. Loaded with folate, and tons of nutrients n minerals, this magical fruit is pretty easy to incorporate in your diet with sweet or savory dishes.

Strawberries & bananas are always a winning combo for any smoothie recipe. Including Avocado to it makes the smoothie creamier and rich, adding volume to the drink. And drop in a spoon of cocoa powder, you have one delicious chocolaty dish.

This smoothie has become one of my family’s favorite smoothies, and is not only a good breakfast but also perfect for any time of your day. Top it off with your favorite nuts to give it that extra crunchiness… and there you go…

Enjoy…!

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Chocolate Avocado Smoothie

Start your Day with Avocado, Strawberries, and Banana in this Creamy Rich Chocolate Smoothie…!! A Fresh, Healthy n Delicious Breakfast in just 5 mins!

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword avocado chocolate smoothie, chocolate smoothie, smoothie

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• ½ avocado
• 1 very ripe banana
• 8-10 strawberries
• 1-2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup milk (of your choice)
• ½ cup water
• Pistachios (garnish)

Instructions

• Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Garnish with pistachios.

The post Chocolate Avocado Smoothie appeared first on Pepper Delight.

It’s Hot…really hot in St. Louis. Summer is at its peak, rocking the 100s! Every now and then you hear about heat advisories n heat waves in the news. At this temperature if you plan to do a barbeque or an outdoor summer party, you might want to really think about a good refreshment, something which both kids and adults enjoy equally! And if it’s made with berries, I’m sure it’s going to be a winner…

I love to make fresh fruit drinks, especially with berries. The bright colors are so eye catching and appeasing that you know something way cool is coming up! During my early school days in India, the only colorful drinks we had were either soft drinks or squash, both made artificially. Our go-to refreshments were Coconut Water, Lime Soda, and Kulukki Sherbet. Coconut being abundant in my home town, we had no dearth of coconut water which is an evergreen and the healthiest drink of them all. After drinking all the water from the coconut, we used to hand it back to the seller and have him cut it open to then savor the ooey gooey tender flesh. In fact, he used to make a natural spoon out of the husk for us to eat it without dirtying our hands!

Lime soda was preferred more during the summers; lime squeezed into a chilled soda with some salt and sugar. There is no natural energy booster better than a fresh lime soda; one drink and you are all pumped up to get onto your next task of the day.

Talking about Kulukki Sherbet, that was a drink found only in certain towns during those days but now has gained a lot of ground. Kulukki means ‘shaken’ in Malayalam, and the drink was named so after how it was made. It’s a mix of lime juice, sugar syrup, soda, basil seeds, and a few other spices, all shaken vigorously until well mixed and frothy… n that was my Favorite! I remember those days when my brother used to take me to the beach in the evenings and on our way back home we used to stop at the juice stalls in awe to see the art of making these sherbets. The stalls were so crowded in the evenings with people back from a tired sunny day’s work, all looking for some refreshments. The server used to shake the sherbet for minutes and I used to wonder how they kept on doing it all day without feeling tired? But every drop of that drink was worth their effort…!

Anyways let’s get back to my drink of the day… have you tried making ginger syrup? This was the first time I tried one and it was simple, it’s just sugar syrup with ginger infused. So here I have for you today, a light fruit drink with blackberries and YES, it’s non-alcoholic. To prepare this drink, simply muddle blackberries with lemon and mint leaves, stir in the ginger syrup and top with soda. It’s Light, Refreshing and soo Delicious, Cheers!

Enjoy…!

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Blackberry Lemon Ginger Cooler

Cool off this summer with a Blackberry n Lemon infused Cooler in a Ginger Syrup… Flavorful, Refreshing & Light, Perfect to keep the heat at bay…!

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword blackberry drink, summer drink

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

For making ginger syrup

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 inch ginger (peeled and thinly sliced)

For making Blackberry Ginger Cooler

• 10-12 blackberries
• 8-10 fresh mint leaves (plus for garnish)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• ½ cup ginger syrup
• Ice cubes
• ½ cup water
• Club soda/carbonated water

Instructions

• To make the ginger syrup, combine water, ginger and sugar in a medium saucepan and bring it to boil. Allow it to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the flame and keep the syrup aside to cool.
• Muddle blackberries with mint leaves until properly mashed together. Add the ginger syrup to the mix and squeeze the juice of a lemon, stir well. Strain and pour to the serving glasses with ice cubes.
• Top with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and blackberries.

The post Blackberry Lemon Ginger Cooler appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Are you a fan of Baileys? Well you would if you haven’t!! A sweet drink or a mocktail is what I would usually sip on at a party or any gathering, and until recently sweet wines were my preference. Also to me, cocktails are all about fresh fruits extracts paired up with any alcohol; a milk/cream based drink never ever crossed my mind. And so when I got to taste Baileys for the first time, I was like Woow…! Never did I imagine it to be something which looks like milk, is creamy and coffeeish. I love coffee with plenty of milk, in fact iced café lattes are my favorite. Baileys was like a revelation, the adult version of my Latte…!!

My next big surprise was Godiva. I love Godiva chocolates and never miss an opportunity to stop by their premium outlets in malls. The first stint I had with their liqueur products was with Godiva Truffles Liqueur chocolates, a pleasant surprise of chocolate luxury which introduces your taste buds to their world of liqueur. It was by accident that I stumbled upon their Liqueur, my husband and I were shopping through the wines & liqueurs aisle to gift our friend on his birthday, and there it was… Godiva! Was quite amused to see this beautiful bottle, and knowing that our friend loves chocolates, we gifted him this; not only did he love it, we got a chance to even taste it …

So here is my best of the two; Baileys Martini with Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur & Vodka!! Creaminess at its best with the Goodness of pure White Chocolate…

Enjoy…!

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Baileys Martini

Smooth and Creamy Martini… with Baileys Irish Cream, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and Vodka…!! Bold and Smooth, Compliments your Attire, and a Perfect drink for any Party…! 

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword baileys irish cream, Baileys martini, martini

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 oz Vodka
• 3 oz Baileys Irish Cream
• 2 oz Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
• Ice cubes
• Chocolate syrup (for decoration, I used Hershey’s)
• Cocoa powder (to garnish)

Instructions

• Decorate the martini glass with chocolate syrup and chill for it to set. 
• Into a cocktail shaker, add vodka, baileys Irish cream, chocolate liqueur and ice cubes. 
• Shake vigorously until thoroughly mixed and chilled. 
• Strain into the martini glass, garnish with cocoa powder.  

The post Baileys Martini appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Kale is one of the healthiest foods on this planet and I agree to it a 100%. I wasn’t a fan of it until I stumbled upon this perfect smoothie recipe. Kale always felt strange to me, maybe coz of my many failed attempts with it. Every time I walked by the aisle of Kale at a store, I said to myself “not today, next time” and kept on post ponding it. But that’s how Kale tastes, and all you need to do is make it interesting by adding the right sweet ingredients which can mask it’s bitterness but still retain its fresh green flavours. So I tried out this smoothie with mangoes and banana, and it was Yumm! It’s so green, creamy, sweet, well balanced with all the necessary nutrients your body needs, and of course… Delicious…!!

I’m sure you would like to know what’s so special about Kale and why it’s called a Superfood:

• It’s loaded with Anti-oxidants & high in beta carotene; helps lowering blood pressure and is anti-inflammatory.
• Is high in Vitamin C and K.
• A good plant based source of Calcium.
• Helps lowering cholesterol thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases.

To learn more about Kale and it’s health benefits, checkout this super informative article by Dana @ HealthyLine – 26 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Kale.

Enjoy…!

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Update, June 5th ’17: My post has been featured today in thefeedfeed.com‘s favourite “Kale & Other Greens” recipes!! Do check out thefeedfeed.com/kale for more delicious Kale recipes…

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Kale Smoothie with Mango & Banana

Healthy n Delicious Green Smoothie… Perfect to Start of your Day or as a Post Workout Drink... Made with the Superfoods; Kale, Mangoes & Bananas!!! 

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword kale smoothie, smoothie

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 cups kale (chopped)
• 1 mango
• 1 banana
• 1 cup water (or more)

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

The post Kale Smoothie with Mango & Banana appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Mojitos are among the easiest cocktails you can pull off when compared to other fancy drinks; with its minimal ingredients and its revitalizing effect, this drink is enough to Wow your Guests! Though originally from Cuba, mojitos are a favorite among people all over the world. The classic mojito recipe calls for lime, mint leaves, white rum, soda and ice cubes, but this recipe is unique with its own twist in vodka and sprite, retaining the original taste and most importantly it’s refreshing feel.

Mojitos come in different varieties and flavours, and if you prefer any fruity variations you can do so by adding the fruit pulp of your choice along with the other ingredients. To my non-alcoholic friends out there, check out my Virgin Mojito recipe on Pepper Delight.

Talking about the booze levels, mojitos are more of a lighter drink leaving hardly any hangover. You can always vary the amount of vodka added to make your drink boozier, but I would advise to sip it along with food to avoid the tipsy dozy feel. Pair your drink with lean proteins like chicken, turkey or fish, to easily balance your diet.

Enjoy, Chill…!

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Coastal Mojito

A Light & Refreshing Classic Mojito with a Twist… made with Vodka in a fizzy splash of Sprite…!!! A Perfect Summer Drink… Cheers!!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Cuban

Keyword coastal mojito, cocktail, mojito

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• Juice of 1 lemon
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 oz vodka
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 10-12 mint leaves
• Ice cubes
• Sprite

Instructions

• Squeeze the lemon and lime juices into a shaker. Add crushed mint leaves, sugar, vodka and ice cubes.
• Shake well, pour into prepared glasses with ice cubes.
• Top-up with sprite and garnish with mint leaves.

Notes

• You can vary the amount of vodka according to your choice.
• If you prefer a less sweeter drink, cut down the sugar.The sprite will anyways give you a hint of sweetness.

The post Coastal Mojito appeared first on Pepper Delight.

So we are finally home from our vacation at Orlando and I’m back to my world of blogging; pumped up and excited! The last week of January, up all the way till Valentine’s Day is usually the busiest time of my year, in fact the most memorable ones too. It starts with my Blog Anniversary, followed by our Wedding Anniversary, which includes our Annual Vacation trip, and then Valentine’s Day; Aaaaaahh…!! So much of activity & happening in a short period, right from the preparations, blog posts, travel planning, packing, travelling, blogging, and so on. This year I had a wonderful time at Orlando; visiting Universal Studios, Disney, parks, beaches, exploring new restaurants and cuisines.

Coming back to my drink of the day, have you ever considered using vegetables in your smoothies? My first attempt of making a Green Smoothie  with spinach was a huge success, I’ve prepared it many times since then and my husband loves it. For my next recipe I just wasn’t convinced with the vegetables I had planned for, and that’s when I accidently stumbled upon beetroot. Though I use beetroot a lot in my kitchen for savoury dishes (check out my Hummus and Pachadi) I have never used it raw in any dish. I was a bit apprehensive initially but the raw beetroot perfectly balanced the sweetness of the apple and pomegranate, and the end result just cleared all my doubts, I must say this is one healthy smoothie you would definitely enjoy.

Now why do I call this a Power Smoothie? Well, it’s because this drink mainly focuses on the purification of your liver which is the power house of your body. A healthy liver diet is vital to eliminates harmful chemicals and toxins from your body, fight diseases, and supply essential nutrients to your body. For a healthy liver, eat the right foods which are fibrous, high in antioxidants & vitamins. To mention a few highlights of the fruit-n-veggie mix of ingredients of this power packed drink:

• Beetroot: Having the highest sugar content of all vegetables, they boost liver function, purifies blood and liver. They are high in antioxidants, with anticancer properties and also work great for pregnant ladies.
• Apple: With their anti-carcinogenic properties, apples are high in pectin which is the soluble fiber, helps to removes toxins and cholesterol from blood.
• Pomegranate: fibrous, high in antioxidants, and vitamins B, E, & C. The bright red color of beet and pomegranate gives your immune system a healthy dose of antioxidants.

Adding vegetables to your smoothies is another great way of open your palate to raw vegetables. Enjoy…!

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Beetroot Power Smoothie

Brighten your day with this Vibrant Colored, Power Packed Smoothie made with Apple, Beetroot and Pomegranate… Healthy and Tasty…!!!

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword beetroot smoothie, post workout smoothie, smoothie

Prep Time 7 minutes minutes

Total Time 7 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 small beetroot (peeled and cut into small chunks, or grated)
• 1 apple
• 1 pomegranate
• 1½ cup water

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Notes

A raw beetroot doesn’t blend that easily, unless you are using a powerful high speed blender in which case cut it into small pieces first before blending. Otherwise, grate it and then blend with the fruits.

The post Beetroot Power Smoothie appeared first on Pepper Delight.

This Spanish drink; Spiced Red Sangria is a very popular alcoholic beverage in the US & Europe, and is widely gaining its attention elsewhere too. It’s a perfect drink to sip on your Christmas Eve or toast at your New Year Party, the aromatic flavors blend well with the holiday mood.

So how are your Christmas plans coming up? Damn, this year’s winter is pretty cold and I seem to be spending most of my holidays roaming around in heavy coats. I will surely need something to spice and warm things up and I bet I have the right refreshment in hand!

For those who love to try dry red wine but prefer something sweeter and fruity without giving away the kick, Sangria is the answer. It stands right in the midst ticking all your preferences but at the same being crisp, smooth and fresh like a fruit drink. This Red Sangria an evergreen all-season beverage, refreshing & smooth.

Traditional sangria is made of dry red wine, fruits, fruit juices, sugar, and an alcohol, preferably brandy or rum. The ones made with White wine are called Sangria Blanca. A Sangria gives you a wide range of options to customize your drink, to suit your occasion or color theme by varying the fruits and juices incorporated. Even the Rum or Brandy used can be varied to suit your palate. And just set the drink overnight for the fruits and spices to infuse, and the resulting beverage you get the next morning is a whole new experience.

So here I am, signing off my Christmas recipes for this year with a Traditional Red Sangria indulged a spicy touch of cinnamon and star anise.

Interested in more Christmas recipes? Check these out;

• Christmas Fruit Cake / Kerala Plum Cake (Alcoholic)
• Christmas Fruit Cake (Non-Alcoholic)
• Gingerbread Cookies
• Gingerbread Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Enjoy, Merry Christmas!!!

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Spiced Traditional Red Sangria

Crisp & Refreshing, Fruity rich with Apples n Oranges, Spiced with Cinnamon n Star Anise, Boozed in a splash of Rum… A Traditional Delight to celebrate your Winter Holidays… Spiced Red Sangria…!!

Course Drinks

Cuisine Spanish

Keyword christmas, sangria, wine

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Resting time 1 day day

Total Time 1 day day 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 bottle (750 ml dry red wine)
• 1 cup orange juice
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1/4 - 1/3 cup rum / brandy
• 2 apples (sliced thinly)
• 1 orange (sliced thinly with rind on)
• 2 sticks of cinnamon
• 1 star anise

Instructions

• In a large pitcher, add red wine, orange juice, rum, orange slices, apple slices, cinnamon, star anise and sugar. Stir with a spoon to mix the sugar.
• Cover and refrigerate overnight for the fruits to infuse its flavor.
• Serve chilled.

The post Spiced Traditional Red Sangria appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I love the Year end Holidays, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas n New Year, all very close and one after the other. You’ve got family & friends getting together, gifting, & partying. Also it’s the time of the year when you host parties, dinners & potlucks, which requires preparation and finalizing your recipes, especially with every occasion having its own delicacies. To me as important the main course, appetizers or desserts are, is also my Drink Recipe!

So, how fun is creating a Cocktail? Of course, leave aside the experimenting, tasting and blogging. For me, it’s photography is the best part. Playing with colors, lights, the reflections, creating the mood, contrast; all these are a fun experience and a lot of learning. And the best part… Cleaning up! It hardly takes time unlike other recipes… you can wrap up your shoot in no time, and a soothing drink awaits you after all the easy works.

Just two more days for thanksgiving and I’m so excited to host my party for our friends visiting town! While I’ve already finalized my dishes, I decided to try something new with a fruit flavored cocktail. The tangy tickles from the pomegranate citrus combo along with the bubbly fizz from the champagne makes it party perfect! It’s so easy to prepare, no pre-work needed. Just Mix & Serve…!!

Happy Thanksgiving & Enjoy…!

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Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup champagne
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• pomegranate seeds (garnish)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Combine pomegranate juice and lemon juice, pour it into chilled serving glasses / champagne flute.
• Top with champagne and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

The post Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Agua Fresca is one of my favorites to enjoy fruits & vegetables. Puree it and add some lemon, sugar n herbs, this popular drink of Mexico & US is super easy to make…

Watermelon and Cucumber, two of the core ingredients of any cooler when paired together makes a great combination. Watermelon being a strong antioxidant also helps in neutralizing harmful radicals from our body. While, cucumber ranked as the vegetable with the highest water content, helps in lowering the excessive heat in your stomach and makes your body feel refreshed. Together, the two hydrating fruits make a complete drink.

Enjoy the drink!

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Watermelon Cucumber Agua Fresca

Light and Refreshing Summer Cooler made with Watermelon and Cucumber. 

Course Drinks

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword agua fresca

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 2

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• ¼ th of a watermelon
• 5-6 tbsp sugar
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 7-8 mint leaves

Instructions

• Puree the watermelon in a blender until smooth. Keep aside.
• Puree the cucumber along with lime juice and sugar until smooth, Place a fine mesh sieve over a bowl and pour both the puree through it, pressing against the sieve with a rubber spatula to extract as much liquid out as possible.
• Fill a jug with ice cubes and pour the juice into it. Add mint leaves, and adjust sugar as per your need, stir well.
• Serve in glasses and garnish with watermelon slices (optional).

The post Watermelon Cucumber Agua Fresca appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Pepper Delight has entered its 10^th month of limelight, and I know that’s a long time for not having a cocktail recipe so far. I guess I was just prolonging it till I got the right ingredients and that’s when this bag of berries landed in my hands. Berries make a great combo with anything you try, and with a hint of lime you get that refreshing sweet tangy flavour. And there you go, a triple berry treat.

I still have plenty of berries left, so stay tuned for more recipes. Something special with a berries compote coming soon…!

Enjoy, Chill…!

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Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cup berries (I used frozen berries, thawed; raspberries, blackberries, & blueberries)
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ¾ cup water
• 4 tbsp granulated sugar
• ¼ cup triple sec
• ½ cup tequila
• 1 cup ice cubes
• lime wedges (to garnish)
• coarse salt (to rim the glass)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Puree the berries in a blender along with water, lime juice and sugar. Strain the puree to a bowl, which will give you about 2 cups of concentrated berry syrup.
2. Combine triple sec, tequila, berry syrup, and ice cubes in a cocktail shaker and shake well.
3. Prepare your serving glass by running a lime wedge along its rim, and then dip the rim in coarse salt (optional).
4. Pour the drink from the shaker into the glass.
5. Garnish with a lime slice (optional).

The post Berry Margarita appeared first on Pepper Delight.

This is my sweet n creamy Mango Pineapple Smoothie; another quick & simple breakfast, and a wonderful drink to keep you hydrated between your workouts & busy schedule. The tartness of the pineapple, creaminess from the banana n milk, and the sweetness of the mangoes make it a perfect combo.

Adding fruits to your daily routine in the form of smoothies is a healthy practice to pack all its nutrients and vitamins to your diet. Pineapple being an anti-inflammatory food, is also high in Vitamin A, C and beta carotene. Thanks to its high fiber content, they are also naturally detoxifying. And of course, Mangoes and Pineapples are great for digestion too.

Try this delicious smoothie and customize it with your favourite fruits, let me know how it turns with your comments below.

Stay Healthy and Enjoy…!

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Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup chopped pineapple
• ½ cup chopped mango
• 1 banana
• ½ cup milk
• Toppings: Kiwi, Mangoes, Strawberry

INSTRUCTIONS

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Serve in a bowl with your favourite toppings.

The post  Mango Pineapple Smoothie Bowl appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Chia seeds are an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and a perfect ingredient to your smoothies. It is super healthy, has a high nutrient content, and is low in calories. The seeds alone taste weird but you can eat it raw, or can be easily incorporated in any smoothies, drinks, puddings, or even as a topping. Being hydrophilic it plumps up when soaked in any liquid, giving it a soft/gel texture which adds a whole new perspective to your drink.

I love the combination of banana and strawberries, the perfect balance of sweet & sour, and adding a little milk is also good and makes it richer. Another wonderful ingredient which works magic to your drink, is an ideal sugar replacement, and is healthy with its anti-inflammatory properties… is Honey.
My kitchen adventures are all about trying different combinations and creating new ones. So try out with the different fruits in your pantry, you could even add them as toppings to your drinks. But trust me, this smoothie tastes so yum and you will keep on coming back for it.

Stay Healthy and Enjoy…!

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Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp honey
• ¼ cup milk
• Toppings: Blackberry, Chia seeds, Banana, Strawberry

INSTRUCTIONS

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
• Serve in a bowl with toppings.

The post Strawberry Banana Chia Smoothie Bowl appeared first on Pepper Delight.

I’ve never been a smoothie fan, especially of those so called “healthy”, “green”, “low calorie”, “burn your fat” smoothies, not until I started preparing them on my own recently. It just so happened that I had some extra spinach and fruits (again I am lazy to cut and chew fruits, I prefer drinking them) and I was looking at some stunning smoothie photographs in Pinterest. That’s where I read about the blend of spinach and fruits, again a combination which I haven’t tried much as I am more of a savory person when it comes to spinach.

These are a no brainer recipe, all you need to do is blend, sooo easy, Waalah…!

Spinach is a superfood and contains tons of nutrients, proteins, vitamins and a lot more. And unlike greens juices, smoothies retain all the fiber thus being a good digestive and keep you fuller. Just adding a handful of spinach and blending it up with any sweet fruit is enough for your smoothie drink. Apples and oranges with spinach are surprisingly delicious and sweet…

So what are you waiting for? Go grab your fruits and try it out. Enjoy…!

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Green Smoothie

Healthy, Hearty, a 3 Ingredient breakfast made of Spinach, Apple and Orange… my on-the-go Green Smoothie for a healthy morning…!!

Course Breakfast, Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword Green Smoothie, spinach

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 1 apple
• 1 orange
• 1 big handful of fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup water

Instructions

• Blend all the ingredients until smooth.

The post Green Smoothie appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Now, mojitos are alcoholic drinks and basically a mix of white rum, lemon juice, sugar and mint leaves. Well, then why Virgin? Just thought to cater my non-alcoholic friends out here too, still giving you a hit from the sparkling soda, with an added twist of flavours from the berries…

And if you prefer being authentic, just replace the water in this recipe with white rum, and you are all good..!!

Berries are a wonderful variant to experiment on with different drinks. And if you are in need for a great tip to fix a quick drink for your guest? I recommend muddling a few berries n mixing with lime juice and mint – that’s an all-time winner drink…!!!

Enjoy, Chill…!

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Blueberry Virgin Mojito

A non alcoholic summer drink with the blend of fresh blueberries, lime & mint leaves.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword blueberry, mocktail, mojito

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 10-12 blueberries
• ½ of lime squeezed
• 3-4 mint leaves
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ cup crushed ice
• ½ cup club soda/carbonated water
• ½ cup water

Instructions

• Muddle the fresh blueberries and mint leaves together till it’s properly mashed and juicy.
• Add this muddled mix into a tall glass, followed by adding sugar and lime juice. Stir well.
• Add crushed ice, water and top with soda.

The post Blueberry Virgin Mojito appeared first on Pepper Delight.

It’s already pretty warm out here and the summer has just begun, it’s all set to get really hot and what you would really want is a drink to chill…! I love Strawberries, and now being the season with strawberry picking open across the farms in St. Louis, it’s the right time to try out recipes with fresh strawberries. And strawberries with lime… I guess I need not tell you how good they are together…

Also this is my first recipe with basil seeds, which is known for its medicinal value and specially its cooling nature. I love that it plumps up when soaked in water giving it a fleshy texture, and being tasteless in general it’s a wonderful ingredient to make any recipe pulpy without losing the original flavour.

FYI, basil seeds/sabja seeds are not chia seeds which it is always mistaken for. It is widely used in many places during summer for preparing drinks like sharbat as it can cool down your body heat and helps in digestion. You can find these seeds in Asian supermarkets/Indian stores.

Enjoy your summer, enjoy your drink… n Chill……

Prep time: 5-8 minutes
Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 6-7 strawberries (pitted and sliced)
• 1 lime (squeezed)
• 2 cup water
• 4-5 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp basil seeds (soaked)
• mint leaves (crushed)
• ice cubes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Soak basil seeds in a little water for 10 minutes allowing it to swell.
2. Leaving a few sliced ones, blend the strawberries well and make a syrupy paste out of it.
3. In a mixing jar, mix the blended and remaining sliced strawberries, lime juice, squeezed lime, sugar, crushed mint leaves, ice cubes, water and basil seeds. Shake well. Adjust sweetness according to your preference.

The post Strawberry Lime Cooler appeared first on Pepper Delight.

Smoothies are being talked a lot by doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, physical instructors, your fitness center, n everywhere… along with the importance of including a fruit serving with every meal. They are an easy and a tasty means to meet your mealtime fruit needs, and can be healthy too with the right ingredients.

I’ve tried to use local honey in this recipe, as recently I got to know the benefits of local honey vs brand honey from a family friend. It’s a good source to your daily dose of natural medicine, controlling your allergies, plus a natural sweetener.

I’ve used frozen berries here, but you can also substitute with fresh berries. If your smoothie seems too thick, you can add a little water and blend it.

Enjoy…!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cup mixed berries
• 2 bananas
• 2 tbsp honey

INSTRUCTIONS

• Blend all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.

The post Anti-ageing Berry Banana Smoothie appeared first on Pepper Delight.

This drink has everything you need; sweet oranges, tangy lemons, refreshing mint, and all the fizziness from the soda. A great welcome drink for your parties or a cooler during your summers, n equally loved by adults and kids…

The key to this recipe is the overnight preparation which allows the flavour to extract from the orange slices and mint leaves, and the last minute addition of soda to retain the fizz.

So here I give you my first drink recipe of Pepper Delight – an Orange Mint Mocktail… Enjoy…!!!

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Refreshing Orange Mint Mocktail

A refreshing fizzy Orange Mint Mocktail…Perfect to chill, cool off and relax…!!

Course Drinks

Keyword mocktail, orange mint mocktail, summer drink

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 2 cups orange juice
• ¼ cup lemon juice (squeezed)
• ½ cup club soda / carbonated water
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2-3 slices orange
• 2-3 leaves mint
• ice cubes (as required)

Instructions

• Stir orange juice, lemon juice, water, & sugar in a vessel till the sugar dissolves.
• Garnish with orange slices, mint leaves and ice cubes.
• Top with soda.

Notes

• This mocktail tastes better if prepared well in advance so that the mint and orange extracts mix well.
• To make the drink fizzy add soda just before you serve.
• Orange juice with pulp is preferred.

The post Refreshing Orange Mint Mocktail appeared first on Pepper Delight.