by Anu Karthik
[box]Summer is here and we are sure you are looking desperately for thirst quenchers to get some relief. Anu Karthik shares three simple recipes that are special to summer, weaving them in along with her own personal memories about the season. Here are three simple and healthy ways to beat the summer heat![/box]
Think ‘Summer’ and what does that one word bring to my mind, to your mind? I am sure one of the first things that will possibly strike most of us is “summer vacation” – the coveted time off from school. Personally, as someone who grew up in Chennai, it also brings to my mind a couple of other things, namely the refreshing nongu, delicious mangoes and the legendary Chennai summer heat, “Agni Natchathiram”.
Back then and even today, we always wait for summer to end in Chennai, the land where there has never been any dearth of sunshine. Thinking back, I realise that I spent the first 18 years of my life never checking what the weather was going to be like every single day. It was a taken for granted fact that it would be hot almost every other day and summers were times when the heat spiked unbelievably! What a contrast it is to now when I live in the Pacific Northwest waiting eagerly for every single day in the summer months, not wanting to waste the precious sunshine. And this year, after nearly a decade, I have had the chance to experience the summers of both my home and of my home away from home. As someone who enjoys cooking, at this juncture of experiencing summers in two different parts of the world in the same year, I am tempted to share three simple recipes that are special to summer and are a great way to beat the heat wherever you are. Trying these out will, I am sure, kindle your own fond memories of summer.
Mango Lassi
The first drink is “Mango Lassi”. It is not simply that the mango is called the king of fruits, and until you have bitten into a ripe, juicy, tasty one with juice drooling down your hand to your elbow, you cannot truly understand why. For a delicious lassi that will have everyone asking for a second helping, combine one measure of mango pulp or peeled and cubed mangoes, 1/2 a measure of yogurt and 2-3 measures of milk and blend in a blender. Add sugar and ice if needed and serve immediately. You can bring about a dash of change to this simple yet tasty drink by adding a dollop of vanilla ice cream for those who desire it. If you have young ones who love popsicles, just pour this into popsicle moulds and their mango popsicle can be ready very easily!
Sambaram
The second drink is called “Sambaram” and is nothing but spiced chilled buttermilk. This one is dear to my heart especially because of my 
love for yogurt, having grown up on thayir sadam or curd rice. No Indian meal is complete for me without a cup of yogurt. And there is nothing to quench one’s thirst in the heat like a glass of buttermilk. To make this, combine an inch or more of ginger, a bunch of cilantro, some hing or asafoetida, one green chilli and some curry leaves. Blend this into a smooth paste. Then add a measure of yogurt and a measure of water and blend together. Add some ice and salt as needed. The consistency of this can be varied as per liking and can be anywhere to as thin as a fruit juice or as thick as a milkshake. Sambaram tastes best when served cold.
Lime Juice
The last drink is something my mother makes every year. We have a wonderful lime tree at home. When the lime is ripe and she brings the plucked ones in, our whole house smells so citrusy. Making this lime juice at home is not only extremely easy and tasty but also really good for our health in this fast or processed food addicted times that we all belong to. Another benefit of this juice concentrate is that it is always ready in the refrigerator to serve thirsty guests who visit us during summer. To make this concentrate, squeeze and make ready a measure of fresh lime juice and keep aside. Prepare sugar syrup with three measures of sugar and just add the juice of one lime to this syrup to prevent crystallization. After the syrup cools down, add the squeezed lime juice, mix well and refrigerate. To make lime juice anytime, just add water, approximately about thrice the quantity of whatever concentrate you take and lo, wonderful fresh lime juice is ready!
Pics : mango lassi – purple foodie – http://www.flickr.com/photos/shaheen-p/4660669796/
sambaram – www.sharmispassions.com
lime juice – buzzle.com
Anu Karthik is a passionate person with a strong sense of will. She blogs at http://anu4karthik.blogspot.com
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Anu, your recipes for chennai summer are good. keep writing more.