Arabian pulpy grape juice

Purple or red grapes ½ kg, preferably seedless

Sugar  ¼ kg

Water 1 liter

· Boil all the ingredients till it starts to thicken slightly. Remove from heat. Keep it aside.

· After about 4-5 hours, squish the grapes well with a masher or with hands. The pulpy part of the grape should be left in. Remove the skin, which will be floating above and blend it with a little water, strain and add it to the juice.

· Chill in the refrigerator. Serve chilled. 

Mango Milkshake

Ripe mangoes, 2, peeled and cubed

Cold milk, ½ litre

Sugar, 3tbsp

Mango or Vanilla ice-cream (optional)

• Blend all the ingredients, except the ice-cream, to make a smooth paste.

• Pour into tall glasses and top it with a scoop of ice-cream.

• Serve cold!

Banana/Plantain milkshake.. also called Banana Cream

This is one from my past again, yeah yeah, I know… I’m back on the nostalgia track yet again.. but I just have to put this one up, I just remembered it when mom happened to mention it today. It seems silly that I’d forgotten about it, coz it’s such a simple thing, but I suppose we all forget the simpler things in life most often, than the complicated ones. It’s a delightful drink, especially for kids. For me, it’s like finding lost love.. hehe.. I know how silly that comparison sounds.. but that’s how it is, I used to be in love with it as a kid. So here’s my long lost, and found, or remembered rather…Banana cream…

Ripe plantains, 2

Cold milk, 4 cups

Sugar, 3tbsp

Vanilla essence, 2 drops

• Cook the plantain in a steamer, with the skin on, for about 10-15 minutes. Let it cool.

• Blend this with the remaining ingredients in a mixer, to make a smooth paste.

• Serve warm or cold!! It’s yummy either way!