Buttermilk - நீர் மோர்

Buttermilk is one easy and healthy beverage that helps you feel refreshing instantly. Drinking it right after a long hot day in the sun is a great way to combat dehydration and fatigue. It has a whole lot of nutrients and its the best natural cooler of our body. Have a glass of buttermilk daily and enjoy this summer!!

 
Ingredients

Yogurt/curd - 1/2 cup
Water - 2 cups apprx
Green chilli - 1, sliced round and thin
Ginger - 1 inch piece, chopped finely
Coriander leaves - few, chopped finely
Curry leaves - 1 strand, chopped finely
Salt - as per taste
Asafoetida - as per taste (Optional)

Method

Take curd, water and salt in a large bowl and using a whisk mix it well. Add chopped ginger, green chillies, coriander leaves and curry leaves and stir well. Serve as such or chilled.

Mango Milkshake - How to make Mango Milkshake

Mango milkshake is one of the easiest and yummiest milkshakes that is been loved by almost everyone. Very few ingredients and little effort of yours and you can sip this heavenly milkshake in minutes. I used Banganapalli for this as it gives the best taste. You can also try it with any mango varieties. 

Ingredients

Chopped mangoes - 1.5 cup
Cold milk - 1.5 - 2 cups (adjust as per your taste)
Sugar - 2-3 tbsp (adjust as per taste)

Method

1. Add chopped mangoes and sugar in a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Then add the chilled milk and blend again until smooth. Check for the sugar and add more and blend well until you reach the desired consistency and sweetness. Pour it into glasses and enjoy!!

Notes

• Use chilled milk else there are chances for the milk to curdle.
• Choose ripe, juicy and sweet mangoes for the best taste. Avoid mangoes that are fibrous.
• Reduce and adjust sugar according to the sweetness of the mangoes. You can also add cardamom powder or saffron if you like your milkshake more flavorful

Red Bell Pepper Tomato Chutney

Red Bell Peppers/Capsicum is one vegetable which is rich in vitamins and nutrients.  Red bell peppers are the ripe version of green bell peppers and hence they have a sweet taste. They have double the amount of vitamin C and are 10 times rich in Vitamin A. They are rich source of anti-oxidants. They are a great source of Vitamin B6 and minerals. They grow in different colors varying from green, red, yellow, orange etc. Making a chutney out of this versatile veggie is a good way to start a day with. This  chutney is a nice accompaniment for idly, dosa, adai or pongal. Now to the recipe!!

Ingredients

Red Bell Pepper - 1, chopped into 1" pieces
Tomatoes - 2, chopped
Onion - 1, chopped
Garlic - 4 or 5 cloves
Coriander leaves - 2 tbsp

Salt and Oil as required

Dry roast

Channa dal - 1 tbsp
Urad dal - 1 tbsp
Dry red chillies - 2 (adjust as per taste)
Cumin - 1 tsp

For Tempering

Oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, dry red chillies and hing

Method

1. Heat a pan, dry roast the ingredients mentioned under "Dry roast" and set aside.
2. Add oil in the heated pan, add garlic and saute for a minute. Then add the onions and saute until they turn transparent. Now add the tomatoes and fry until they turn mushy. After that add the red bell pepper and coriander leaves. Cook for 3-5 minutes or until the red bell pepper is half cooked. Allow to cool down.
3. Blend the dry fried ingredients to a coarse powder and then add the bell pepper, tomatoes mixture along with salt and grind to a fine paste
4. Do the tempering and add to the chutney. Serve with any kind of idly or dosa.