Every Summer arrives with my parents wanting to spend time with their grandchildren. Who can blame them? It’s been a whole year, and all they look forward to is spending time with their naughty little kiddos. Being this far from them is not fun at all. There’s nothing more precious than seeing the little ones being pampered by their grandparents. The heartiest conversations, the most effortless love. It’s all so memorable.
My mum will make sure to cook a few different dishes so that the kids have a choice. The little one will cry “Spicy!” when he eats spicy food, but will then eat the spiciest Cheetos without panting once. She will sit on the dining table, feed them first, looking very lovingly at them while they chatter away and eat up her food. My teen will shower her with compliments, and that will make her day. As afternoon falls, reading books, playing chess, or plain talk for hours will be fun. Dad will hide all the candy away from the little one and give him 2 a day. It was almost a ritual. Hiding their granddad’s belt or glasses will be a fun routine. Every time someone came home, seeing papa and mama talking proudly about their grandchildren is fun to watch. The tender affection cannot be duplicated.
Summers in India are the best. I yearn to spend time with my mum,dad, cousins, aunts, uncles and all the little new additions to our family. We are a big huge family:). Everyone wanting to spend time with us gives us a beyond-happy feeling. This year we plan to stay back and enjoy summer in San Francisco. We’ll miss family, but we’ll try to make the most of it in sunny Cali. For one, it’s hot. It’s extremely hot. To deal with the heat, I made this drink which we all love.
This is a version of a popular Raw Mango drink in India. The temperature can get really high. Indian summers are brutal. To cool off they grate and juice raw mango with chaat masala or black salt. There are many variations to this drink. The key to this drink is the chaat masala, which adds a touch of spice and is quite refreshing like none other. You can use any fruit of your choice, but avoid the sugar and don’t forget to add the mint. You will love it!
Happy Summer!!!
- ½ small Watermelon cut to cubes
- ½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 lemon
- 2-3 sprigs of mint leaves
- ½ tsp chaat masala or black salt
- ¼ tsp white pepper powder(optional)
- Ice cubes
- Mint, lemon slices, orange slices
- Grind the watermelon with orange juice and mint leaves in a blender or a nutri bullet.
- Squeeze the juice of one whole lemon.
- Add the chaat masala or black salt and white pepper powder.
- Stir well. Serve with some ice cubes and garnish with some mint leaves.
Beautiful snaps Asha!!! Loved the spiced watermelon orange mint frink, perfect for the weather!!
Wonderful idea Ash! We really enjoyed your post;your love for your parents, their love for their grandchildren and the happiness of those moments you described were sooooo beautiful! You are truly blessed!
Regarding the drink, we don’t have chaat mashala here, but we do have Himalayan black salt which has flavor:)
Thank you for this precious post!
Panos and Mirella.
Asha, your summer’s in India sound like they gave you and your boys some wonderful memories – talking, eating, drinking, and afternoons of games – sound pretty wonderful to me! As does this spiced watermelon and orange drink – it sounds so incredibly refreshing! My mom made us a very similar watermelon drink when we were in Abu Dhabi and Sri Lanka – my sister and I couldn’t ever get enough of it. And wow – your pictures – I love the “mood” they create! GORGEOUS!
This is well timed. For some reason I bought a giant watermelon this weekend. So big I fear we can never eat it all. There are only two people in my house, so that monster is sitting in my fridge mocking me! I’ll show him who’s boss. GREG
What a beautiful drink and so appropriate for Summer … Love Love Love it
I’ve got tons of mint in the garden and cut up watermelon in the refrigerator. And oranges on hand, too. So I’m ready to make this! Really nice read — thanks.
Gorgeous and delicious drink… So ideal for this already hot summer! Enjoy the season. xoxo
This sounds perfect for summer- might even add a little vodka to mine! 😉
This drink is perfect for summer! The mint must give it a beautiful aroma!
This sounds incredibly refreshing! I know what I’ll be making to slurp on all summer long!
The pics are so mesmerizing that it’s distracting! : ) I feel cooler just looking at this (and it was a scorcher today, not that I’m complaining!). I love the kick of spice here and the watermelon base is fantastic. Your house is the place to be! Enjoy your summer at home; I hope it’s relaxing and makes time slow down a bit…
Lovely picture and cool drink for the summer. I became emotional reading your writeup. Have a nice summer in SFO and enjoy.
Your visits with your parents and family in India sound wonderful, and I’m sure your kids look forward to visiting them every year! It sounds like you’ll have a nice relaxing summer at home this year — and since it’s getting really hot, this drink will be perfect! The color is gorgeous and the flavors sound delicious.
So refreshing and tasty! I love the beautiful presentation too.
Beautiful, a very original take. I wish I could try it!!
Nanas and nanis are the best! I remember my time with my grandparents in India and they were some of the best. My best friend was my nana and I accompanied him everywhere. My children don’t have grand mothers,a Nd im sad they we’ll never know the love of a grand mother. They adore my father but it’s not the same. They would’ve love my mother. Oh well.
This drink is amazing! I adore chaat masala and black salt, love it’s pungency.
I think I’ll make some for when we open our fast next week for Ramadan.
Beautiful photos, Asha!
Oh, I’m so so sorry. But, you know what, they have an amazing mom who’s making up for everything.
Hope your Ramadan is going well. Not sure, if it has started.
xx
so refreshing! love it Asha! I can never resist adding chat masala to my drinks either! gorgeous clicks.
Ash, your photos make me dislike winter all the more. Such a summery, colorful post. Probably, next year I’ll have to live in the northern hemisphere during summer there (and winter here). There is no bond like the one grandparents share with their grandchildren…it’s a different kind of affection and attachment. It’s been an year for us too.Don’t know which one I love more..your beautiful drink or your sweet post:-)