Drinks

Blueberry Mango Fizz – Blueberry Aam Panna

April 6, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

Spiced Blueberry Mango Fizz or Blueberry Aam Panna, a simple water spritz that’s a cooling drink with mango puree and blackberry-fresh mint leaves. Made with or without alcohol, this bubbly beverage is a warm weather favorite!

Summers in Southern Part of India might not be unbearable, but it is above normal temperatures, accompanied by hazy conditions. April and May are quite uncomfortable and it’s also the months we celebrate New Year and Rath Yatra. Crazy rigtht?! Sweat beads on our foreheads and the feeling of flushed pink cheeks makes you lethargic and you start wondering if it shall pass. You feel closer to Sun god, and have the urge to take perpetual baths. But, turn on the cold shower and warm water from hot water tanks gets too hot to handle. So in this situation, the only thing to do is to pray and to sit in a room, curtains pulled in, a cold bubbly fizzy drink and relax.

What helps during this season is: buttermilk drink/mor, aam panna, chikoo, mangoes(the best), and my favorite Asian palmyra palm. Bangalore fruits feel like sugar was added when growing them. …

Jeera Hing Aloo Mattar Fry- Cumin spiced Potato and Peas

April 1, 2021 By Asha Shivakumar

This Cumin spiced Potato and Peas is a take on potato roast from Southern part of India~ this is a spring version and packs a punch. It uses the tiniest new potatoes you can find, and fresh garden peas. A perfect spring salad or serve with rotis.

Perfecting Indian food is truly an Art.

Indian cuisine has an overwhelming array of spices. The country’s fiery curries, complex rubs, and addictive street foods owe their flavor to a long list of spices from all over the world. These are combined, blended, fried, and toasted in millions of kitchens all over the country. The spices are not just for a layering effect of flavors, but also for their nutritional/medicinal values which are rooted in Ayurveda.

Having said that, Indian recipes also doesn’t have to be complex with a gazillion ingredients and steps. Sometimes all you need is couple of spices to make a dish, and you can taste India through that dish….

Creamy Pistachio Cardamom Horchata & A letter to grads

June 19, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

Insanely rich and creamy. This is the best creamy pistachio cardamom horchata you’ll ever make. Spiked with some rum or served on some ice, it’s the perfect summer dessert or drink for parties.

We reached a milestone last week. My teen graduated from high school!

It is jarring to find out that he is an adult. A few of our friends’ kids, who we cradled in our arms, are now beautiful grown men and women, graduating high school. Gone are the days of Wii games and children’s books, and now comes the time where we ask them what they’d like to take to their dorm. A toaster maybe, or an instant pot….

Blood Orange Fizz

January 28, 2018 By Asha Shivakumar

The vibrant color of blood oranges makes this blood orange fizz a beautiful drink and absolutely delicious and special.

It’s January and there is an abundance of blood oranges in my farmers market and I cannot get enough of it. Even better when a friend who has a major green thumb, with a large yard who grows all sorts of citrus trees shares some of her precious stash. She is like, I better get to it before my squirrels. I get lucky because she doesn’t know what to do with all the beauties. It’s probably my favorite citrus fruit, so I happily offer to take any amount she gives:).

Few weeks and it’s gone. POOF. And we have to wait a year for blood orange season….

Mango and Peach Margarita Pops with Vodka & Sparkling Wine by Master of Mixes

July 25, 2017 By Asha Shivakumar

These Mango and Peach Margarita frozen pops, topped with some wine and vodka, are easy to make and perfect for entertaining. I’m so happy to partner with Master of Mixes to bring you this amazing recipe.

The sun is shining through our large windows, and the mid afternoon heat is draining. The fan is on, and the windows are drawn in to let the heat settle outside. Waffles is by my feet, huffing a bit, the teen is on the sofa with his headphones, and the little one is with a book. I am parked in between papers, a cocktail party to plan, but wondering what will cool us. We all, every few minutes, look at each other for some sort of cooling comfort….

Melon Noodles-Blueberry Sorbet Float

February 12, 2016 By Asha Shivakumar

Do you bookmark and pin a lot of recipes to try?

A few days ago, I saw an Indonesian Melon drink posted by the very talented Lorraine from Not Quite Nigella. It looked so fancy, simple and so different, I couldn’t wait to make my version and it went right on top of my ‘to-make’ list. I am sure most of you know her by now, if not please do check her out, you will love her. I am always amazed at how much great food she puts out on her blog. Apart from her fabulous food, I admire her sense of humor and she is such wonderful person.

I am a big fan of fancy looking food, which requires less fussing around and this cocktail/dessert is just that. So here is an inspired float. Simple, stunning and bombdiggity, if I may say so myself:).

…

Cocktail and Nuts Edible Gift for Christmas

December 11, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

For a few minutes, delve into the past with me. Come with me into the 3rd grade classroom…

There she was, with a bright beautiful smile, blueish green eyes and the warmest personality I had seen. Modestly dressed and with no trace of makeup, she was a new teacher for this school. Instantly, I took a deep breath and knew this year would be a great one for my soft, gentle, and timid son. She got down to his level, welcomed him and gave him a hug. I watched everything standing outside the door. He looked back at me and gave me a smile. That was when I knew he will be alright. She came towards us with an inviting smile on her face. She introduced herself and told me, “Don’t worry, go have some coffee. He is safe with me.” With tears, I turned back to walk towards the car. Tears of happiness that my boy was well taken care of.

…

Pomegranate-Ginger Syrup – Pomegranate Vodka Fizz

December 3, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

Happy December my friends!!!

We are less than 4 weeks away from 2016. Really, how did that happen?!! I don’t know if we say this every year, but for some reason this year seems to have flown by a little bit too quickly.

Lets raise our glasses to cheer a good year. I am sure we all have had our good days and not-so-good ones, we all went through that and we are here. Glad for that.

…

Mango-Orange Fizz with Mint-Cardamom and Lemon

July 22, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

Being human is like a huge tide. Some days it’s beautiful, and others it’s terrible. The brain is crazy and so complicated, and I love it. Life is a journey. No amount of work or distractions can actually interrupt this beautiful and well desired journey….have you ever searched for a friend?

As I sit with my friend on the stone bench waiting for the last of the musketeer to come, I watch lots of colors, girls giggling, and a gush of sand rising. We have to get to our first period, but she hasn’t come yet. …

Lychee-Ginger Lassi and Pineapple Lassi

June 24, 2015 By Asha Shivakumar

A common summer day, to me, means pj’s, workout pants, and staying in all day procrastinating. Days start late and run late. The workout pants are very convenient for regular hikes and runs. There is no routine and no professionalism, just hanging out and thinking about what to do next. Sometimes we decide an impromptu drive, a swim, or a movie marathon. We are regulars to the half price book store. By the end of summer, we have a huge sale ourselves. I love summer and hanging out with the boys very much. Of course, every once in a while, I get bored of this regimen and decide to have friends over. Summer entertaining is the best. I get out the frills, the flowers, and a pretty hair do, which is always fun.

…