Creating a blog was out of the question for a long time for me, as measuring everything in the kitchen was like biting into an eggshell. I enjoy cooking and don’t want to waste even a slightest bit of enjoyment in that small world of mine. But little did I know that everything will change, when my husband came home with the Oscar nominated film ‘Julie and Julia’( a real life story) where Julie Powell (part played by Amy Adams) challenged herself to make all the 524 recipes from Julia Child's cook book ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking’ and blogging all her experiences (The Julie/Julia Project). It was an inspiring movie. A few days later when we were discussing this casually with a friend of ours over tea…everything changed dramatically…..” How about you making at least half of it in one year? Not French but your own. 262 recipes that will inspire others and present it as a blog?” For a minute my mind traveled faster than light… With an experience as a helper in my mother in laws kitchen for 6 years followed by a three year everyday struggle to satisfy the palate of my foodie husband, if I cannot do it then why should I cook? But on the other side with an experience in English literature extending no more than expanding outline stories in English grammar class when I was 18 and two small kids that come in handy at times, will a commitment for the next one year work? Anyway my ‘cook's ego’ didn’t allow me to say no...

So my friends …here I am opening my recipe book, trying to perfect and present 262 recipes in the coming 365 days….A Challenge that will of course tastes good. Come.. Have a walk with me along my journey.. Cheering and inspiring….Forgiving and tolerating…Testing and tasting….for ‘A Tasty Challenge’

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Ginger-Lime Squash

Recipe No: 64
This is a perfect way to quench your thirst in the overwhelming heat of the summer with flavors that are very near to your heart and your palate. This is a concentrate that can be stored for a long time in the refrigerator and can be diluted when needed. To describe the taste…well you will taste the lime at first followed by a faint ginger taste at the end, in your throat, which for me feels very comforting. Above all we can feed our kids knowing what goes into it.
Ingredients to make the concentrate
  • Lime juice………………….1 ½ Cups
  • Ginger Juice………………1/2 Cup
  • Sugar………………………..7 Cups
  • Water……………………….1 ½ Cups
  • Citric acid………………….1 ½ Teaspoon
  • Lemon/ Lime Extract...1 Teaspoon (optional)
Method of Preparation
  1. Combine Water and Sugar in a pan and boil till it is of one thread consistency. (230˚F/110˚C on Candy Thermometer)
  2. While this is happening set up a double boiler by heating an inch of water in a small pan and put a bowl on top in such a way that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water in the pan.
  3. Add Lime juice and Ginger juice into the bowl and heat slowly till warm.
  4. Once the sugar has reached the one thread consistency, switch off the heat and add the warm juices and Citric Acid. Mix well and let it cool. Skim off the foam that forms on top of this.
  5. Once cooled slightly add the Lemon/Lime extract (if using) and mix. 
  6. After cooling thoroughly, bottle this concentrate and keep in the refrigerator until ready to be used.
To Prepare the Squash
  • Ginger-Lime Squash Concentrate...3-4 Tablespoons or as needed
  • Water………………………………………..1 Cup
  • Ice cubes……………………………….…..3-4
Method of Preparation
  1. Mix everything together and enjoy.
Notes:
  • Citric acid is available in most of the Indian stores. This gives the sourness which is essential for the squash. So please don’t avoid it.
  • To check the one thread consistency touch the syrup with your index finger and press and separate it between the index finger and the thump. If the syrup forms one thread in between, it is ready. In the above given measurements this stage will be reached immediately after the sugar is melted.
 





Make it, enjoy the deliciousness and 
serve it to your family with love…

4 comments:

My Kitchen Antics said...

my aunt makes it in huge quantities and stores it..so easy 2 serve when you have unexpected guests

anilasa said...

Will surely try this..

saregamapa said...

definitely a good refreshing drink, have to try.....sabi

Charles Moss said...

Nice recipe!

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