Almond Mint Chutney (Badam Pudina Chutney)

Of lately, my daughter has taken a liking to chutneys.  She loves them on anything.  I have been trying chutneys that are simple, quick and healthy.  I tried this combination last week and it turned out really good.

Ingredients:

·         Almonds – 1 cup – I used the raw kind.  Not the roasted.

·         Mint – 1 cup loosely packed -  Take the leaves out of the stem.

·         Desiccated coconut – 2 table spoons

·         Garlic  – 2 pods

·         Salt – 1 tea spoon (add per taste)

·         Green Chilies – 4-6 in number (add per taste)

·         Tamarind paste – ½ tea spoon (add per taste)

·         Water – 1 cup (add more if you like thinner consistency)

For seasoning:

·         Olive oil – 1 tea spoon

·         Curry leaves – 4-6 in number

·         Mustard seeds – 1 tea spoon

Method:

Blend all the above ingredients well till a smooth paste like consistency is attained.  Dish it out in the serving bowl.  For seasoning, heat the oil in a small sauce pan on medium heat.  Once the oil starts smoking, add the mustard seeds and wait till they splatter.  Add the curry leaves and take the pan off the heat.  Add this seasoning to the chutney.  Simple, quick and healthy Almond Mint chutney is ready to be enjoyed with naan, chapati, roti, poori, idly, dosa, bread or just plain rice.

Simple White Sangria

It's summer and nothing sounds better than a Sangria for a weekend brunch with some cheese and crusty bread (or spicy chicken)...Here is a simple light, fragrant white Sangria to not only satisfy your taste buds but awaken your senses....

Ingredients:

• Good white wine - I used a late harvest Riesling - 1 - 750 ml bottle
• Fruits -
• Strawberries - 5 in number- sliced thinly
• Oranges - 1 - sliced thinly
• Pears - 1 - sliced thinly

Method:

Pour the bottle of wine into an airtight glass container.  Add all the ingredients.  Close the lid tight of the container and let stand in the cooler for a night (about 8-10 hours) so that the fruity tastes get infused into the wine.  Pour the wine into a glass with a few slices of the fruit and enjoy!!