Strawberry & Oats Smoothie

Fibre, minerals, calcium, vitamins, what more could you ask from a meal??Indulge yourself in a glass of strawberry & oats smoothie! Enjoy
please note-  If you are lucky to get sweet strawberries, no need to add sugar.
Ingredients
1/4 cup oats
1 cup yogurt
1 cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 small ripe banana
2 tsp sugar (Add more if the strawberries are too sour)
1 cup milk
Method
Mix the oats & yogurt and let sit in the fridge over night.
Puree everything in a food processor. Serve chill
the above quantity serves 2 adults (Served in a tall glass)

Spiced Buttermilk

Spicy Buttermilk commonly called as मठ्ठा in Marathi is a summer coolant and good for digestion. One will commonly see it being served at Maharashtrian weddings or thali as a welcome drink. This was one was the few recipes which I cooked as a small kid. My mum used to supervise my sister and me when we made the seasoning.

Ingredients

4 cups of buttermilk (should be watery)

1 tsp cumin seeds

pinch of turmeric powder

pinch of asafoetida

2 stems of coriander leaves chopped

½ green chilli finely chopped

1 tsp clarified butter (ghee)

salt as per need

Method

In a serving bowl add the buttermilk, for the seasoning add the clarified butter in a small pan add the cumin seeds after they splutter add the green chilli, pinch of asafoetida & turmeric powder. Add this to the buttermilk when hot. Mix the coriander leaves & salt

Serve chilled. 

Cold Soup

The bishop's weed or commonly known as ajwain or Ova in marathi is found in abundance in Muscat. I myself have a small plant in my little garden. Ajwain has a its own antiseptic properties & helps as a digestive aid & relief from abdominal discomfort due to digestion. Here's a cold soup/ welcome drink made from the Ajwain leaf mixed with buttermilk, a perfect summer coolant & excellent for digestion.

 Ingredients

1. 10-12 Ajwain leaves (washed)
2. 4 methi seeds 
3. ½ tsp cumin seeds
4. ping of hing
5. 1 tsp grated coconut
6. salt as per taste
7. 1 tsp oil
8. 2 cups Buttermilk
9. Water as needed

Method

1. Add oil in a small kadai, when it becomes hot add methi seeds let it splutter then add cumin seeds, hing, coconut & fry for 2 minutes; add the ajwain leaves. stir for a minute. Keep aside to cool. Grind this to a very smooth paste. mix with buttermilk, add water if required. If you want you can strain the cold soup and serve, serve it cool.
2. Note: if you cannot find ajwain leaves, you may substitute the above recipe with Spinach leaves.

Kairi Panha (Raw Mango Drink)

Kairi Panha -A raw mango drink which is a refreshing coolant & an energetic drink as it helps the body to cope with the heat during summer. The panha pulp can be stored in the fridge for a month.

Kairi Panha Pulp

Ingredients

1. 1 cup raw mango pulp (made from 2 medium size raw mangoes)
2. 1 1/2 cup sugar 
3. 1/2 tsp. saffron strands
4. 1 tsp. cardamom powder
5. salt while preparing the drink

Method

1. Wash the mangoes thoroughly and pressure cook them with the skin on.
2. After the raw mango cools, de-skin them, blend the pulp well with the sugar in the blender.
3. Add cardamom powder and saffron. The thick pulp is ready. This pulp can be stored in the fridge for a month, add water in the pulp if it becomes too thick. 
4. while serving use 1 tsp. of pulp for one glass of cold water, add salt and mint and stir to mix well. Serve Chill. 
5. You may adjust the taste as per your liking