Anar Gulab Sharbat ( Ramadam Special Collab with ADollopOfThat )

For the majority of foodies, Ramadan means a month long period of indulgence. From scouring for a treat in those tiny lanes that sell mouth watering kebabs and other delicacies to enjoying a full fledged meal at a friend's house, one does not leave any stoned unturned when it comes to making the most of this opportunity.

But for the people who actually observe the month long fast ( or 'roza' ), it is quite taxing to abstain from food and drink for almost 14 to 15 hours on an everyday basis. While it is supposed to help one develop the qualities of self control and abstinence, and the fasting does help detoxify the body, the whole process can leave one dehydrated and exhausted if one does not care to replenish ones energy reserves.

Hence the drinks also form an important part of the sehri and iftar meals as one needs to keep oneself hydrated. And if the weather is especially hot, it should additionally cool the body. Here is a very simple Ramadan drink that one can prepare in no time . Made with rose petals, pomegranate juice and a dash of Roohafza, this is one soothing concoction that smells heavenly.

Just in case the very description of this Sharbat leaves you with a whetted appetite, there is another delicacy to make it even more special. For my very talented friend Parinaaz is sharing the recipe for Quatayef, a luscious Middle Eastern pancake.

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 10 mins ( standby time - overnight  or 8 hours )

Ingredients -

• 2 cups of deep pink rose petals
• 3 cups hot water
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 4 tbsp Roohafza
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• a few rose petals for the garnish
• a squeeze of lemon ( optional )
• sugar syrup as per taste

Preparation - Grind the rose petals in a blender and steep the paste in the hot water. Pop it in the fridge and let it stand for 7-8 hours. 

Strain into another jug using a fine mesh. Add the pomegranate juice and Roohafza. Taste and add more sugar syrup if required. 

If it is too sweet for your liking, squeeze in some lemon as well.

Pour into glasses. 

Garnish with pomegranate seeds and rose petals.

Serve chilled.

And here is the delicious Quatayef !!

Kala Khatta (Jamun) Mojito

Black Plums or Jamuns may be not be considered in the same league as the venerated Mangoes, but this summer fruit packs in quite a punch. Both in terms of taste and nutrients. In fact, it is one fruit that can take care of most of the disorders that are associated with the consumption of excess mangoes. For example, stomach pain and diarrhea are readily cured by drinking the fruit juice or even chewing on the tender leaves !!

But the single most therapeutic property of this fruit is the ability to keep the blood sugar levels in check. A fact that has been exploited to the hilt by Patanjali which manufactures the 'Jamun Sirka', a product that flies off the shelves at an alarming rate. Even my diabetic MIL vouches for the effectiveness of this product. 

Today's recipe is all about a flavor derived from this fruit which I must have eaten by the kilos during my childhood days in Rourkela. The Java plum trees are naturally abundant in the hilly regions. The very popular 'kala khatta' is a mixture of black plum juice, a strong squeeze of lemon, a good dash of black salt and some sugar to balance it out. For something that is considered synonymous with the very pedestrian ice lollies, the Mojito is a much needed haute makeover for this crowd-favorite.

Read on for the recipe -

Ingredients - 

• 12 Ripe Black Plums (Jamuns)
• 2 lemons
• 1/2 tsp black salt
• 4 tsp sugar syrup
• chilled soda water
• a mixture of red chili powder and salt for rimming the glasses ( 1:4 ratio )
• 4 shot glasses
• 2-3 sprig mint leaves

Preparation - Using a sharp knife, remove the flesh from the ripe fruits.

Cut the lemon into two halves and rub the half over the rim of the glasses. Dip the glasses in the salt and red chilli mixture. Let it dry for a few minutes. 

In each glass, put some fruit, mint leaves and black salt. Muddle it nicely with a muddler.

Add the lemon juice, sugar syrup and fill the rest with the soda water.

Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slices if desired.

Serve immediately.

Blueberry and Mango Iced Tea

The scorching summers are tough for tea addicts like me ! We want our favorite brew and then end up feeling hot after a cup or two. Drinking the regular variety holds no charm if it is no longer steaming. So, the best solution is to go for iced ones with or without some kind of fruit in it.

While I do love the lemon iced tea that they used to serve at CCD, i prefer making my own brew these days. There is no harm in pampering oneself, isn't it ? I love to have mine in a tall glass while being propped up on a comfy sofa and flipping through a book. Or still better with a couple of friends.

There are just endless options of the things you can add to the iced teas. But my favorite turns out to be the kind of summer fruits. Yes, it is the mango which I love to infuse into my cold tea. Along with a couple of blueberries to amp up the charm. Wont u love to try some ? It is a pretty simple one too !!

Read on for the recipe -

Ingredients -

• 1 tsp tea leaves ( enough for 2 ppl )
• 300 ml mango juice
• sugar syrup as per taste
• chopped mangoes
• blueberries ( use fresh if available )
• ice cubes 

Preparation - Steep the tea leaves along with 2 cups of water for 4-5 mins in a glass kettle .  Drain carefully into a flask and pop it into the fridge.

Once the tea is cool, remove the flask from the fridge.

Assembly - Pour some mango juice and sugar syrup into the glasses. Top it with the chilled tea.

Garnish with the mango cubes, blueberries and ice cubes.

Serve immediately.

Kokum and Rose Mojito ( A Refreshing Non-alcoholic Cooler )

 IMP - Kokum and Rose Mojito is an original recipe created by the blogger and has been published for the first time on oriyarasoi.com.


March has just begun and the mercury has already started climbing up ! If predictions are going to come true, then we are all bracing up for one of the hottest summers in the recent years. Once again, all that talk about global warming, deforestation and depleting polar caps is going to grab the limelight. Everyone worth their salt or even otherwise to going to add their opinion and suddenly social media is to get abuzz with a new trending topic. But till that happens, let us just chill. Kyunki alarm abhi baja nahi !!

Coming back to yours truly, summers are all about coolers. Given that I love guzzling water and make it a point to drink atleast 3 liters in a day, summers somehow make me crave for something extra. A dash of lemon to my regular water or a teaspoon of 'Rooh-afza' or even a teaspoon of glucose is a must ! But apart from these, I love to indulge in a variety of natural drinks like 'Aam panna', 'Bel panna', 'Thandai', 'Ragi sherbat', 'lassi' and buttermilk .

Lately I have started loving the sparkling ones like Mojitos  or ginger ale. But since I love to add my own twist to every recipe, I experimented a bit and came up with this a very traditional touch to the mojito. Rose and Kokum Mojito is one such drink that turned out to be a hit with my family and friends !

Read on for the recipe -

Preparation Time - 5 mins ( plus 20 mins standby )

Ingredients -

• 2-3 Kokum pieces
• 1 tsp rose syrup
• 3-4 sprig mint leaves
• ice cubes
• 1/2 lemon
• plain syrup (as per taste)
• soda water / sparkling water 

Preparation - Steep the kokum pieces in 1/2 cup of hot water. Let it stand for 20 mins.

Take the mint leaves and kokum pieces (along with the water) in a tall glass and muddle a bit. Add the lime juice, rose syrup and plain syrup.

Pack with ice cubes and top with sparkling water.

Serve immediately !