Hijazi Almond coffee

I have been part of a small like minded,food loving bloggers group on FB.Starting this month we would be doing a monthly theme challenge.As a part of the challenge for December we were assigned the blog Chef in disguise by the famous and talented blogger Sawsan .Sawsan is a doctor by profession and a blogger by passion .Her blog is a treasure house of some authentic middle eastern recipes.Her effort to preserve family recipes is phenomenal.I was introduced to her blog during the initial years of blogging through the daring bakers challenge which I unfortunately could not continue.The recipe which I selected for this months challenge is Hijazi almond coffee .Contrary to its name it is a zero caffeine drink with no traces of coffee.

Pineapple ginger-ale |cafe style pineapple ginger-ale

Though it is almost the end of October still it feels like a hot summer afternoon.With the onset of October usually the climate shifts gear from hot to cold .But this year it is quite different.This weekend we had planned a family picnic at the beach but the weather had different plans in store and conspired in every possible way to let down our spirit .We were stubborn enough to give up our mood of outing.We quickly had our lunch, packed some goodies for the snack and left to spend the day in a park instead  of the beach ,as beach gets more humid in hot weather.Though the park trip was enjoyed well by the time we reached home we felt the need for something refreshing to energise as well quench our thirst .A lonely left out pineapple was screaming "pick me up" in the refrigerator.What better way to wind up than a chilled  pineapple ginger ale .

'If you can't go to the beach let the beach come to you'.

Pineapple ginger-ale is loaded with flavours that will drive you nostalgic,if beach holidays were a part of your growing years (like me).

Jigarthanda| jil jil jigar thanda|How to make jigar thanda from scratch

Even with the onset of October if the sun refuses to turn down the heat,all you can do is indulge in a cool glass of jigarthanda and pray for the season change .JIGARTHANDA translates to cool heart in Hindi .The ingredients of this summer cooler are known to be body coolants .First time I came across this drink on a food and travel show "highway on my plate".The southern states of India,Andhra,tamilnadu and karnataka are notorious for their harsh summers .And it is natural that the inhabitants of these states come up with natural refreshing drinks that can keep them hydrated and fight back against the soaring sun.And one such discovery is the JIGARTHANDA which is a speciality of the city of Madurai .

Apple -banana smoothie

Smoothies are always welcome .Fortunately my kids are crazy for yogurt,so smoothies are a better option to to make them enjoy their milk in disguise .Smoothies come as a saviour especially for the morning rush hours where you shall spot me running a marathon to and fro towards the kitchen and the kids bed room .Though I make every arrangement at night before winding up to sleep, to avoid the hustle and bustle mornings .