May 16, 2011

Watermelon Shake


Spring came and went in a blink, and the muggy summer days are here to stay. Nothing beats summer like a tall glass of ice-cold drink bursting with flavors. Yes, a hot summer’s day is the best time to plop your favorite fruit into the blender, work it overtime, and—sip, sip, sip those scorching hours away. Ahhh…bliss. Fancy more? Then pep up the mood with some good music, hug on to the coolness of the glass, close your eyes pretending to be on some exotic destination and savor every bit. Ha!

No other fruit shouts summer like this sweet, delectable, thirst-quencher—watermelon. My family loves snacking on the delicately crunchy and juicy flesh of this pretty pink fruit. With 92 % water, it does pack its share of nutritional punch too. Did you know this budget friendly fruit is loaded with antioxidants like Vitamin C, A, and the photonutrient lycopene? Not to mention energy producing nutrients like Vitamin B6, B1, magnesium and potassium. That’s not all. It helps lower blood pressure and…ahem, “Scientists say watermelon has ingredients that deliver Viagra-like effects to the body’s blood vessels and may even increase libido!” Oh my! So what are you waiting for? Go grab a melon that’s heavy for its size and jump-start this summer in style.

Whether you are hosting a summer party or just planning some fun times with your loved ones, this refreshing and fast-to-fix recipe is the ideal drink to chill out and cool down on a sweltering day. It’s fabulously light, and an absolute favorite with my kids. We enjoy it so much that it has become a Ramadan time tradition in our home—a delicious part of the iftar-party menu every year.

This is barely even a recipe. All you need to do is put the ingredients in a blender, push the pulse button, pour—and swill. Unlike certain fruits and veggies that lose some vitamins when exposed to air, no significant loss happens with watermelon. This means you can prepare your drink and chill it in the fridge while receiving all the nutrient benefits of a freshly prepared juice. With two boys who keep raiding the kitchen for snacks after school hours, specially after their outdoor games, this is exactly what I do. I often make pitchers of this drink and keep it in the fridge for them to gulp. It gives them an instant energy boost, and keeps them hydrated, too. It saves me some time and energy from slogging away in the kitchen.
Now, for a wee digression from the keynote: you see, my absolute favorite role as a food blogger is the photography bit. In just four months, I find myself a complete addict. Whenever I am in a good mood I put my heart and soul into the shots. In fact, my only regret is not having a DSLR camera. Why a DSLR? Well, for one, it gives sharper images with more details. And then, I’ll have the option to manipulate the focus and use lens apt for each subject. Don’t get me wrong, I love my point and shoot. But, alas, the perfectionist in me wants to finger the culprit for not having any WOW shots, yet....and the coward in me is going to blame the camera…! How bad, huh? I know!

Seriously, I’ve set my mind on getting a DSLR, even a basic one. Soon—I hope. Yet, such shortcomings don’t stop me from taking tons of pictures whenever I find an interesting subject. Like this simple drink recipe.
  
In the meantime, as my audience, feel free to let me know if I’m testing your patience with too many pictures. Yes, you get to vote too! 


Watermelon Shake

Ingredients

4 cups seedless watermelon chunks
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoon sugar, or to taste

Decoration
Melon balls on cocktail sticks


Directions

Plop the watermelon chunks, sugar and condensed milk into a blender or food processor, and pulse until smooth. Strain if desired--I do this just for my fussy eater son.  

Pour into chilled glasses and serve decorated with melon balls on cocktail sticks. Add paper umbrellas if you want to get fancy—enjoy!  
  

52 comments:

  1. Wow.. What can I say??? Wish I could grab that glass of goodness..looks refreshing!

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  2. Gorgeous and refreshing drink.

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  3. who's looking at the recipes neways...:P

    amazing patience you've for clicking these many superb photos...

    and now...

    pl announce on public forum how you managed tht dark snap...it's soul stirring...mind ya i've used this adjective only for Anoop Negi's photographs...awwwwwwww

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  4. yes you shd get an SLR...you do have the passion.

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  5. Aah ~the simple pleasures of summer ~ and how beautifully you have presented it, especially love the pictures of the prep steps ~ simply gorgeous!
    US Masala

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  6. Amazing clicks.. you have made me crave for the glass of juice :) yummmmmmm

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  7. Awesome refreshing juice and very beautiful clicks that visually treat us.

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  8. wow...looks refreshing and delicious..perfect for the season..awesome clicks and the first pic is very beautiful...:)

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  9. Nice shake and awesome clicks....

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  10. so refreshing drink and i love your amazing pictures...so beautifully presented...really a virtual treat...

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  11. Without DSLR you are making awesome pictures if you get DSLR I don't know what will happen. Looks awesome.

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  12. your pics are awesome yaar.......nd this shake s perfect in this hot doha summer at 50 degrees.............

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  13. such a refreshing drink..perfect summer cooler..excellent clicks..always happy to see many beautiful pics..

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  14. you are doing a wonderful job with the photography :)
    the jus looks really classy

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  15. Awesome clicks dear,wonderful job..refreshing and yummy drink.

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  16. exotism seems be ur twin...love the pic...so so inviting awesoe dear...the photography is soo gud dat i missed the recipe and had to go back......drink is lovely and refreshing

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  17. Wow.. looks so tempting and perfect.. amazing presentation dear..

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  18. Woww... every post from you is a visual treat. A simple drink looks soooo very splendid and rich - thanks to the eyes and mind behind the lens. :-)

    I especially love the one that's before your DSLR Wish stanza. Awesome lighting... As someone has pointed out earlier, it wud be too good of you, if you could share the secret ;-)

    And, thanks for your wonderful comments on my last post. I read that, but before I could publish it, Blogger went off. After it returned to stability, your comment was no longer available anywhere :-( Kindly bear with me, after all, it's not my fault na... :-)

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  19. You have done a fabulous job with the photography ..... The drink looks refreshing. Perfect for the long summer days ahead.

    Cheers,
    Satrupa

    http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com

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  20. Tempting shake.Amazing clicks.

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  21. I thought you already had a dslr camera coz your pics are just amazing and the drink looks sooooo.... refreshing and thanx for the info on watermelon :)

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  22. The best part of food blogging is the pictures! I love to see, admire and drool ...lol at the visual treats!!!
    refreshing drink! The pictures are interestingly captured! bring them on....one can never get bored :P

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  23. Ur space is perfect treat for eyes..all those pics r really wonderful..:)

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  24. wow wow wow truely treta to our eyes...I feel so refreshing after seeing this drink...yummy looking and beautiful clicks

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  25. Beautiful clicks, real treats to eyes...wat a refreshing shake..

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  26. Some super "cool" pics .........Your pics seem great even without a DSLR !!!

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  27. even without DSLR ur clicks are amazing and very professional too. adding condensed milk sounds new and will give a creamy texturenice clicks and love the tall big jar

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  28. Hey girls, thanks a ton for being so kind and generous! Your sweet comments are the breath of life to my lil space....lots of love and hugs for all the love that you show me!

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  29. Your pictures are truly out of this world and gorgeous! And something that I look forward to! And you seem to be taking much better pics than Ive seen with DSLRs too... But then again, maybe with DSLRs, you might take even better ones than these!! I cannot even begin to imagine how wonderful they will be!

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  30. It's always a treat to see photos.....Adding condensed milk is very new to me...love to try this version....Clicks rock...simply love them....

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  31. Now to the technical details. I guess you are interested in the silhouetted effect--the subject is backlit and appears dark, though not black. In all honesty, this effect was not planned, it kinda happened and I loved it. So I shot more frames ☺

    Okay, here’s what I did: Placed the drink on a table close to the door, in the AM, leaving the door wide open. The white backyard wall with the bright sunlight served as the bright background for my frames. There was not much light in the room and the subject was not lit from the front—it’s under exposed. Basically, the background is brighter than the foreground. The camera was in auto mode, with the flash off, as usual. Before shooting the pic, I pointed the camera at the white background and pushed the shutter half-way down and then brought it back to the frame to release the button. Left the frames uncluttered for a classy effect—-nada details in the background highlighting the silhouetted drink. Though in one frame with a partial silhouette, you’ll notice the shade from the tree in my backyard garden.

    Once again, thanks for all the appreciation!

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  32. A visual treat indeed!! Thanks for the details. It will help amateurs like me :)

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  33. Wat wonderful clicks dear... Loved all the silhouetted clicks...
    Perfect cooler...

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  34. of course there is a non alcoholic version..ive mentioned it in my notes...just use white grape juice instead of wine :)

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  35. It is a visual treat. Thanks for sending it to me.

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  36. This looks so refreshing. I'm sure it is as tasty as it is beautiful. This is my first visit to your site, but it will not be my last. You've created a lovely spot for your readers to visit and I really enjoyed the time I spent here. I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  37. Shake looks heavenly. I could travel several miles just to have a sip of it. Excellent drink.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  38. What a refreshing drink!!! You have captured it to perfection. Looks heavenly :)

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  39. Okay, I am sold. Our watermelon season has not begun yet so I have something to look forward to. Beautiful photos as always!

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  40. Nice presentation...refreshing drink.

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  41. Loved the clicks..well presented :)

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  42. Perfect thirst quencher, awesome clicks...as usual:) Love the way you present each and every post:)

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  43. Thank y'all for the beautiful words!!

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  44. I am totally digging all your pink posts - you are on a roll here, much to my pleasure and benefit! my watermelon awaits a similar treatment :)

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  45. Hi Kanthi, thanks for your kind words.

    Priya, for some odd reason my recent posts are pinkified...! Now I'm trying to break free of the exotic pink bloom before I'm typecast as being too girlie..lol Hey, hope you try this milkshake--you'll not be disappointed!

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  46. I love this drink. It looks so refreshing and I wish I had a glass right now on this hot day!

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  47. Oh yeah, Amy, you must try this -- it makes a great summer time drink! Thanks for popping over :)

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  48. I can't even imagine the quality of your photos if and when you have a DSLR. WIth a point and shoot you manage miracles.
    The photos are just gorgeous

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  49. Oh, you must go get a dslr, sweetie :) Lovely pink drink. It's getting warmer here as well. Now I'm wondering if the Spring is this warm, it may be a horrible Summer awaiting us !

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A million thank you's for stopping by, taking the time to connect, and coming back to visit again. I genuinely appreciate each of your kind thoughts, lovely words, love and support. Happy, happy to hear from you, and hope to see you again!

♥ Nashi