Maria NasirWhether entertaining in style or just unwinding yourself these healthy recipes for a refreshing drink and a simple starter will add zest and kick to your evening.
You have prepared an elaborate dinner with many courses but drinks and nibbles are still missing? You don’t want to serve the same old sodas and juices from tins and cartons. There is no time for minutely prepared tapas either.
These quick and very easy recipes will cover your requirements nicely.
The non- alcoholic concoction of white grape slush is a kids friendly drink and actually increases appetite before the dinner is served. The spiced almonds are packed with flavour and natural goodness…these will give your guests a pleasant surprise.
Even if there is no party going on…this is the easiest and healthiest way to pamper yourself as you finally put up your feet after a long day. I’m enjoying a tall glass of grape slush with spiced almonds while watching my favourite Billy Crystal movie…Forget Paris. Life is good 🙂
For White Grape Slush:
2 cups white grapes
1+1/2 cup grape fruit juice
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
salt to taste
24 ice cubes
Makes 3 servings
This Is What You Do :
Process all the ingredients in a blender jug till the ice breaks into crystals and the juice is foamy and frothy.
Spiced Almonds :
For Spiced Almonds :
1 +1/2 cup almonds
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt to taste
This Is What You Do :
To blanch almonds, boil water in a saucepan, drop in almonds and let them boil for a minute. Drain and rinse with cold water. Slip off the skins. To blanch in microwave, place almonds in a microwave safe bowl, add water so that the almonds are fully immersed. Microwave 3 minutes on High. Drain and rinse under cold water. Slip off the skins.
Pat dry almonds with a kitchen towel.Heat oil in a nonstick frying pan on medium low, add almonds. Stir fry till they are golden in colour. Turn off heat, add paprika, cumin and salt. Keep stirring for another few seconds, till the almonds are completely coated.
Makes 3 servings