O SUMMER SUMMER!

In this heat, try to keep your food easy, cool and light. Preparation is to be kept to a minimum, and forbid any heat generating appliances. In my home, this means it’s time for frozen fruity mocktails using the KitchenAid cordless hand blender that crushes ice in a jiffy!

To be honest I was quite lukewarm about chilled mocktails and always associated them with drinks made out of leftovers! But the other day when the husband whipped up the most delicious mocktail in our KitchenAid cordless hand blender… chopped fruits, ice, fresh juice and some herbs…mama mia I was a convert! Over the years I have now realized that all chilled mocktails are fun, conversational, and best of all, a great way to stay cool as the heat wave crests towards June. Pair with a fabulous salad made with some great fare from your local market and you have a great summer meal that doesn’t require your stove top, oven or grill. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

FRUIT SMASH TROPICAL

A refreshing blend of tropical fruits

Fresh banana- ½ no

Fresh pineapple-1/2 slice

Toned milk-1 fl oz

Pineapple juice-3 f l ozs

Ice-5 ozs

Method

Blend all ingredients together until smooth, serve frozen garnished with a lemon or pineapple slice.

PINASPRITE

A refreshing mix of pineapple juice, chopped fruits topped with sprite.

Chopped fruits- few (banana and seasonal)

Pineapple juice- 2 fl ozs

Sprite-1 fl oz

Ice- 5 ozs

Method

Blend all ingredients together until smooth, serve frozen, garnished with a sprig of mint.

CALYPSO

Pineapple & coconut-the classic combo

Coconut cream- 1 fl oz

Pineapple juice- 2 fl ozs

Grenadine-1/4 fl oz

Ice- 5 ozs

Method

Blend all ingredients together until smooth, serve frozen, garnished with red cherry

P.S 1 FLUID OUNCE = 28.34 ML (APPROX 30 ML)

SOME MOCKTAIL RECIPES TO TAKE YOU THROUGH THE DAY USING THE KITCHENAID HAND BLENDER

KITCHENAID CORDLESS HAND BLENDER

MORNING

GO BANANAS
Banana smoothie
Small ripe Bananas: 2 nos
Milk: 1/2 cup
Vanilla essence: a drop
Low fat yogurt: 250Gms.
Method
Peel Bananas, cut into chunks. Place all ingredients in the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender, till mixture is smooth. Serve in serving glasses.

MID-AFTERNOON

ICELAND
Strawberry crush and sweet lime juice topped with lemonade
Strawberry crush-1 table spoon
Sweet lime Juice- 1 cup
Top up with lemonade
Method
Crush ice with the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender. Pour crush over ice, add juice and top up with Lemonade. Garnish with a green Lime rind.

EVENING
Choco Mocha Shake (serves 2)
Full cream milk: ¾ cup          
Skimmed milk powder: ¾ cup
Instant coffee:            ½ teaspoon
Cocoa powder            : 2 teaspoons
Sugar: 1 tablespoon
Salt: one pinch
Ice cubes: 5 no
Method
Blend the full cream milk and skimmed milk powder in the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender.  Add coffee, cocoa, sugar and salt and blend until smooth.  Add ice cubes, one at a time, and blend on low speed after each one, until smooth.  Blend on high for 30 seconds, until thick and frothy. Serve

AFTER PLAY
GINGER MINT SODA
A refreshing ginger mint drink
Lemon chunks- small 3-4
Mint leaves- few sprigs
Chopped ginger- half a tea spoon
Brown sugar – to taste
Simple syrup-Splash
Ice cubes- 4
Soda- Top up
Method
Muddle lemon chunks, chopped ginger, brown sugar, mint sprigs and put it in a           pilsner glass.Crush ice with the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Blender, Add crushed ice, splash simple syrup and top it up with soda and enjoy a ginger Mint feeling.