Banana sharkara upperi

       Banana sharkara upperi is one of the traditional sweet prepared in southern India during Onam festival. However, we can prepare this sweet snack in any festival occasions very easily.

Banana sharkara upperi 
(Photo courtesy: Purva Mali)

Ingredients

Banana (sliced)     - 4

Jaggery                  - 1 cup

Coconut oil            - 1 cup

Ginger powder       - 1/2 tsp

Cumin powder       - 1/2 tsp

Water                      - 1 cup

Preparation

• Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the banana pieces and transfer into a large bowl. 
• Then take a vessel and pour water into it. Add jaggery and let it boil together over medium flame. 
• Once it starts boiling, turn the flame to low to make the mixture thicker. Keep stirring to avoid lumps. 

Mango juice

       Mango juice is a delicious refreshing drink which can be make up in minutes. Let's see how to prepare this. 

 

Mango juice 

(Photo courtesy : YOYO Beauty)

Ingredients

Ripe Mangoes             - 2 to 3

Sugar                           - as needed

Water                           -  1 cup

Ice cubes                      - a few

Preparation

• Take the mango pieces, water (1/2 cup), sugar and crushed ice cubes in a blender. Blend it till you get smooth puree of mango. 
• Then add remaining water and blend it again till incorporated well. 
• Serve the mango juice in glasses.

Useful tips:

• You can strain the juice, if you wish, to remove the pulp.

Fish fry

Ingredients

Fish                          - 4

Photo courtesy: Arun_velekkat

Chilli powder           - 2 tbsp

garlic                        - 8 cloves

Ginger (chopped)     - 1 tsp

Turmeric powder     - 1/2 tsp

Shallots                    - 15 to 20

Salt                          - to taste

Fennel seeds            - 1/2 tsp

Coconut oil              - for frying

Rice flour                 - 4 tsp

Onion (sliced)          - 1 (for garnish)

Preparation

• Grind chilli powder, turmeric powder, shallots, garlic, ginger, fennel seeds, rice flour and salt to a paste. 

Sweetened Grape juice

Grape juice
(Photo courtesy: Kushi S)

Ingredients

Grapes                    - 500 g

Sugar                     - 1/4 cup

Water                     - 2 cup

Preparation

• Wash the grapes properly and cook the grapes (slightly mashed) with sugar and 2 cups of water on medium heat for around 10 minutes. 
• Then mash up the grapes using a spoon or blend it for 5 seconds. 
• Be sure not to blend them to a puree though. 
• Then strain the juice and pour the grape juice into glasses, chill and serve.

Cucumber juice

Ingredients

Cucumber juice 

(Photo courtesy: Karyn Hinkle)

Cucumber        -  1 (medium-sized)

Sugar               - as required

Water               - 2 cups

Preparation

                   Take the chopped cucumber chunks and sugar in a blender. Blend it till you get smooth puree of cucumber. Then add water and blend it again till incorporated well. Pour the cucumber juice into glasses, chill and serve.

Useful tips:

• You can strain the juice, if you wish, to remove the pulp.

Watermelon juice

Ingredients

Seedless Watermelon             - 4 cup

 

Watermelon juice 

(Photo courtesy: YOYO Beauty)

Sugar                                      - as required

chilled water or ice cubes      - 1 cup (optional)

Preparation

                   Take the chopped watermelon chunks and sugar in a blender. Blend it till you get smooth puree of watermelon. Then add water and blend it again till incorporated well. Pour the watermelon juice into glasses, chill and serve.

Useful tips :

• Adding water is optional. If you require thinner juice, add as the required amount of water.
• You can strain the juice, if you wish, to remove the pulp. 

Passion fruit juice

   

Photo courtesy: Speleolog

Ingredients

Passion fruit - 3 to 4 (medium-sized ripened)

Sugar            - 1/2 cup

Water            - 4 cup

Preparation

• Cut the ripened passion fruits in half and scoop out the flesh in a blender. 
• Add two cup of water and blend it for a minute. 
• The black seeds will separate from the jelly (don't over blend as the seeds will break up and create a grit). 
• Then filter the juice to remove seeds. Then again add two cups of water and sugar to taste and enjoy straight from the fridge with ice.