Mango Nectarine Smoothie

I'm in a serious relationship with drinks. The life bonding kind. 

Nah, not with alcoholic beverages. But the non alcoholic variety. Like juices, ice cold spritzers and mocktails, shakes and smoothies. 

Ah, smoothies.

4 Delicious Lemonade Variations for Summer

The world is gripped by the football fever. 

And, Middle East? Summer fever!

No kidding.

We are sizziling with temperatures hitting record levels as early as June. Haven’t seen this much heat and humidity so far in the beginning of summer. The peak season is usually July-August.

It’s simply hot, humid and hazy.  With temperatures soaring to the 50s, staying hydrated is vital.

Mango Lemonade

Featured in the Kitchn delicious links, and 10 refreshing lemonade recipes to try 

Iced Tea and Lemonades on Design Crush

Ramadan is almost here—the most wonderful and magical time of the Islamic calendar. And on these last few days, with each day bringing us a little closer to the fasting season, there’s so much to think about, so much to do—iftar meals to plan and to attend, guest lists to confirm, suhoor meals to schedule, without having to worry about getting new abhayas tailored, and plenty more Ramadan-y things to get hopelessly lost in. But for now, before I get whisked away to a flurry of activities, I’m taking a few minutes for a quick hello, and share this delightful citrusy drink to set the Ramadan mood, and as usual, fill this space with plenty of photos too.

Eggless, No Bake, Mini Mango Cheesecakes

A stroll about the fruit markets with its sweet, tempting display of summer produce in a rainbow of fresh flavors, I have a feeling I’ll be preparing and sharing dainty desserts all summer long.

Of all the wonderful things that summer brings, I look forward so much to the mango festival happening at the local stores around here at this time of the year—sweet, sweet excuse to indulge in a variety of luscious goodness. There are few things quite like the flavor and scent of Alphonso, Rajpuri and Badami at the peak of their season. I just can’t stop picking them, and the result is an ever-inspiring list of mango dishes, though nothing compares to eating them whole, I admit.

Mango Lassi — summer in a glass

Lassi : |ˈlasē| noun; a sweet or savory Indian drink made from a yogurt or buttermilk base with water

With summer beautifully seeping into the lingering golden days and sultry arabian nights, I’m into a major cooler kick. The lure of a tall glass of chilled beverage that’s quick to mix and heavenly to quench thirst and combat heat is so wild that I’ve been going crazy shaking things up with summers bounty.

And while I’ve been cooking other serious food, it is astonishingly the drink recipes that I’m drawn to, and gets scandalously photographed and featured, again and again. Like today.

Green Mango Pickle — Manga Achar

After the luxurious quietness, moments of repose, stressing and soul-searching, I couldn’t wait to be back to say hello. Albeit virtually.

I always look forward to this time in the season with much anticipated pleasure.

Back home, it is the time preceding the monsoon rain when the mango trees are abundant with new life and beauty—enchanting, golden flesh fruits basking in the rays of the scintillating sun. Mangoes, ah.

Ice Pops — Fizzy Mango Mint Popsicle, and Creamy Chocolaty Fudgesicle — hydrating summertime treats

Featured on Foodbuzz Top 9

Something about the balmy climate and fragrant flowers make me think of fluttery dresses and languid afternoons by the seaside. Happy thoughts.

Sunshine, sea, and a glass of ice cold drink, or cool dripping treat on a stick. Ooh la la.

Summer is the most glamorous of seasons to be lost in such golden daydreams.

And while there are 101 things I should be doing—most importantly get working on my email situation—all I really want to do is laze away the hours in sweet nostalgia, and fall asleep to dreams of a beautiful world filled with lots of love, laughter and happiness.

Lots. Yes, lots.

Quick Mango Passionfruit Pudding — sensational summer flavors

Passion fruit, ahh! Passion fruit brings back happy memories of holidays spent at my father’s place in the countryside. Swinging in the warm summer breeze. Chasing butterflies dancing from flower to flower. Playing on pyramids of hay. Drenching in the monsoon rain and splashing puddles. Swimming in the pond. Enjoying fresh fruits from my grandparent’s home garden — mango, cashew fruit, guava, passion fruit, rose apple, jackfruit. And, plenty more.

I have very vague memories of enjoying this beautifully sweet and tangy, aromatic fruit during my visits there as a young girl. It's a shame that we don't get to enjoy this fruit often anymore. You see, passion fruit is a delicacy in Qatar, and it's a rare chance to come across this fruit in the local stores here. 

So when I saw a stack of boxes in a supermarket last week, I was overly delighted. There was no chance I was going to miss this gorgeous fruit just because of a heft price tag, I thought. Bonus? I was even more delighted to see my kids experience this new fruit when I made a simple, creamy, dreamy pud using passion fruit and Alphonso mangoes – a quite sensational pairing. 

Mango Spritzer

This space has been eerily quite for a while—my apologies for the short absence. I was not able to get in touch as my Internet connection ceased to exist without notice. Anyways, I’m glad to connect with you all again and feel a sense of oneness. I missed all the warmth and joys from this much appreciated web of companionship. Thank you so much, new and old readers, for coming back every time with your thoughtful encouragement and generous words. As always, I’m very touched. You make this space different, this journey worthwhile. Thank you.