Chilled Cinnamon Horchata

Horchata  is a general name for Spanish or Mexican beverages made traditionally rice,barley,almonds etc.There are regional variations and some countries go for a thick milky drink whereas other may like thinned down version.In Mexico, the rice is traditionally made with rice alone, or in comb with other grains along with cinnamon,vanila etc. I have referenced several sites and tried out this simple horchata with just rice & here it is.

Ingredients:

Short grain Rice: 1/4 cup

Cinnamon Stick : 1' long or as per taste

Water:as needed

Honey/Agave Nectar/Sugar: as per taste

Preparation:

Soak rice and cinnamon stick in enough water for atleast 8 hours or overnight.If some picking or cleaning of rice is to be done do so prior to soaking.

Next day grind the soaked ingredients together adding more water if needed to get an almost-smooth creamy liquid. Add in required sugar/sweetner and give a final blend/pulse so that the sugar is fully dissolved.

Pour in glasses and chill till serving time.

On sitting the creamy rice paste settles at the bottom of the glass. So serve after giving a final stirring along with icecubes and  sweetners.

A different yet refreshing drink. I was surprised more that the drink was tasty.Though I love trying out different recipes,I sometimes am not sure what the outcome will taste like. Especially this time, it was the first time I am trying a drink with rice in it. So the first feeling was surprise which then led me to heartily enjoy the drink.Now I am game for any such drinks.

The simple rice drink also goes to Celebrate Sweets -Sweets with Rice at Priya's, an event by Nivedita

Minty Green Apple Sorbet

This is a simple yet scrumptious Green apple sorbet. As mentioned in my previous post,I have been to an apple cooking  demo by Chef Vicky Ratnani organized by Washington Apple Corporation. We all have been given baskets of different types of apples and before I decided on what to do two of them were snacked upon!. But nobody wanted the tart Granny Smith .So I thought of trying a simple sorbet with it and here it is.I know the colour of the sorbet is not that inviting,but for this once,go for the taste.You will not be disappointed

Ingredients:
Granny Smith Apple - heaped 1 cup unpeeled and diced (almost 3/4th of a regular sized apple)
Mint leaves: packed 1/4 cup or more as per taste

Sugar: 6 tbsp (or more as per taste)
Water: 4 tbsp + 1 tbsp (optional)
Edible Gum: (optional) 1 large pinch (preferably powdered)

Preparation:

Make a simple syrup by bringing to boil  4 tbsp water with powdered gum and sugar. Stir well till sugar is dissolved and take off heat. Cool a bit.

Blend together the diced apple,mint leaves, and the sugar syrup together adding optional 1 tbsp of water if you feel the need.You can strain it at this stage if you like. I didn't as this would mean lots of healthy apple pulp as leftovers.

Pour into a shallow container and freeze for atleast  4 hours. Take out,thaw for 10 -15 minutes, blend again to make it creamy and chill for another 30 minutes,after which you can scoop it into cups and serve. Garnish optionally with honey roasted nuts.

Edible gum is not usually (traditionally) a  part of sorbet.But ever since I had heard about a cupcake,an icecream and a sorbet itself I wanted to try it. An easier option was the sorbet. Also since I have made several sorbets I wanted to see whether it  actually makes a difference to the texture. It DID. The sorbet was like a soft serve ice cream as claimed by Aparna. A tingling refreshing and sweet sorbet. Now Granny smith will be enjoyed in a sweet way.

The sweet sorbet is on way to Healthy Recipe Hunt 3- Healthy Summer at KurinjiKathambam, also goes to Tickling Palates for  Fun n' Sun event as a part of celebrating remarkable 4 years of wonderful blogging.The sorbet also graces the Seasonal Indulgence Series - Summer Coolers at Saffron Streaks.