Minty Ginger Granny Smith — crisp, sassy, vibrant fall flavors

Fall is a treasure.

I’ve been enjoying invigorating strolls along the palm-fringed Doha promenade, delighting in the bracing sea air and the enchanting turquoise waters of the bay.

There is so much charm in lazing along the stretch of the corniche observing a mix of cultural traditions, urban sophistication and multiculturalism—all this amidst quite scenic settings. I can spend hours here taking in the views, watching people, the array of docked boats,  reflection of  sparkling city lights on the calm waters when the darkness falls.

Or, perhaps, simply lost in the beauty of thoughts.

Who doesn’t love such simple pleasures of a beautiful season?

Ever since the first signs of fall set in, I’ve also been enjoying cooking with the plentiful seasonal ingredients. Like the ripe, colorful apples abundant on the market now.

With the holiday season in tow—Halloween is just around the corner, followed by Eid, then Christmas, and New Year—all kinds of delicious sips that celebrate the season are in order.

Oh boy, I have a treat for you! A simple recipe to fall for. Yes, a great recipe to keep your tickers in top shape and your taste buds tantalized.

You’ll be surprised at how certain ingredients can come together to produce amazing flavors. This minty ginger Granny Smith is a wonderful example.

Tart Granny Smiths, aromatic mint and warm ginger comes together to produce this bracing sip that’ll waken your body and sharpen your senses. The downside? You need a fresh juicer. Bonus? All you need is a fresh juicer! 

Why not make the most of the apple season with a glass of fruity goodness? Granny Smiths combined with mint makes the perfect sipping partner, and the prettiest green color. It's freshly pressed, uplifting and energizing. Moreover, apples are good for the heart and blood, and help lower cholesterol. Granny Smiths are particularly good for the skin. One glass and you'll fill your body with healthy kilojoules that tastes delicious too.

Look for the greenest apples without bruises or brown patches, and always remove the stalk of the fruit—that’s where the pesticides settle. Don’t peel the nutrient rich skin—it’s what imparts the lovely color. Lime will stop the apple juice from browning quickly, nonetheless, drink the juice immediately to avoid loss of nutrients.

As usual, I’ve been playing with food. A lot. I just wish I had a new camera to explore my passion. To make the food prettier, more appealing. Ah.

Let’s hit the recipe before I digress.

Minty ginger granny smith

Ingredients

Serves 2

4 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut into chunks

a chuck of fresh ginger, peeled

6 sprigs mint leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (optional)
slices of lime, or, mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

Push half the apples through a juicer, then the ginger, mint and lime juice, if using. Push thorough the remaining apples. Serve immediately garnished with a slice of lime or mint leaves, if you like.

You’ll notice that the clear juice settles to the bottom while the cloudy part with the froth remains on the top—gently stir with a spoon before serving.

In other news, I've updated Karimeen pollichathu — Pearlspot fish grilled in banana leaf recipe with new photos. I know, I know — more photos? I must admit, I was anxious to post better pictures that’d do justice to the fantastic recipe. It's a family favorite and I always get compliments for this. If you are looking for a splendidly seasoned fish with a delicious smoky flavor, you're going to love this grill!