Hop Right In!

I believe that salt is to food, what food is to life. In right proportions, it can heighten the taste of what you eat..and in the wrong - destroy! Even the most delicious sweets come added with some salt...to taste!

As for me, I've never enjoyed cooking. And as contrary to my owning a food-blog as it may sound, I always think about daily, routine cooking as a chore. But my tryst with the pots and pans began when I got a kitchen all to myself...I began experimenting and exploring new worlds in my own home. Some outcomes were excellent and some plain disasters. Then sprouted the need to keep track of all those good ones...and hence this blog!

Here, I share those experiments that pleased more than one palate!




December 26, 2011

Citrus Golden Sangria

I told'ja I'd see you around New Year's, didn't I? Here I am. For starters, how about we have a rapid-fire round of questions before we close this year's posts? Here we go!

Ever had a sip of a drink and wanted to jump into it and live in there forever? Ever wanted to go all the way and make your own drinks for guests rather than just pick up readily available wines, beer and soda? Ever wanted to quench your thirst with something home-made, yet with the right amount of 'hiccity-hic'? Ever wanted to feel like it is summer when it is bone-chillingly cold outside with some cheery looking drink?

Sangrias are the answer! Inviting hues ranging from blood red, fiery oranges, pretty pinks, golden yellows and clear whites - These are down-right amazingly flexible wine based drinks. And talking about color, let me mention to you that I bring to your party this drink only because of the Free-Spirit Bloggers (pun totally unintentional).

This winter, FSB-ite Mridhubhashini decided to throw more than a snow-ball at all of us. The chirpy young lady gave us a theme fit to liven up any occasion. It being New Year's and all, she made this one really vibrant. She randomly assigned colours of the rainbow to numbers and asked us to pick one each. Next she said, go ahead and make food/drinks which would finally look that colour that we picked. We FSB-ites sure love such games. And, it was my turn to paint it orange!


Many on-board FSB have chosen to make a three course meal using the colour they picked, but I decided to make just a drink, not due to shortage of orange coloured foods, but simply due to shortage of time and some other reasons (which I will fill you in shortly).

And so...yes, Sangria! They're basically wine punches supposed to have originated from Spain and Portugal and have found their way into pitchers across the world. Fresh fruit, wine, sweetener, soda and a hint of brandy if you like, is all it takes. Oh and yes, about a day for all these wonderful flavors to get to know each other well in your refrigerator.

Coming to a wee bit of news from my end - We're moving back to India for good from the US sometime early next year. So this might well be the last post from me for a long while now, unless I sneak in some sit-down-and-write time amidst all the packing that's going on. I'll certainly see you all back, but for now, I'll be taking a break. So, until next time, here's sending you and yours good luck, best wishes and good health in the coming New Year and always.

For now, go ahead and finish that pitcher of Sangria!




While most recipes call for adding gin or brandy alongside wine, I decided to do away with it. This rendition of Sangria is sweet, light, fruity, refreshing and a perfect way to begin the New Year!



Ingredients
2 Cups White Zinfandel (Or any other blush wine that you prefer)
3 to 4 Oranges, washed and sliced
1 Lime, washed and sliced
1 Lemon, washed and sliced
1/4 Cup Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
12 fl. oz. Mandarin Soda (Or use regular orange flavoured soda like Fanta etc.)
Whole Strawberries in syrup (optional)
Simple Syrup (recipe below)

Method
- To make simple syrup, combine 1/4 Cup of water and 1/4 Cup of Sugar in a saucepan on medium flame and heat, stirring continuously until the sugar dissolves and set aside to cool
- In a large bowl/pitcher toss all the ingredients except the orange soda
- Stir slowly to mix it all up
- Place in refrigerator overnight to macerate
- To serve, pour sangria along with fruit in a tall glass and top up with chilled orange soda

Makes about 2 glasses of Sangria

Again, have a fabulous New Year!

7 comments:

  1. Deliciously refreshing looking drink. Excellent clicks.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  2. very refreshing and tempting drink...will try this soon :)
    Wishing you and your family a very Happy new year !!!

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  3. I love how the orange really pops out! Thanks for the wonderful post :)

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  4. Try taking a few shots a bit away from the food Deepti. Also, I think the light is not as bright as it can be no? Since I have seen and know your limitations, I have to say you have done a great first job with the new cam :)

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  5. Nags, thanks for your little tid-bits. Will keep 'em in mind the next time I shoot. Yup, it was a tad bit cloudy when I did this. But, I did not want to delay it due to the unpredictable weather here. India will be a good change that way! Thank you for your compliments. Lots to learn from you still!

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  6. Hey Deepti - good luck with the move back!
    Mmm Sangria: Can't wait to make this for the nextt pary!

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  7. i love how citrus fruits look so refreshing & colorful. the jug filled with citrus pieces is a great shot :)

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