Drinks are on the house and definitely no designated drivers needed!!

Greetings everyone!

Happy birthday Galiema!!!!!
Happy birthday Takoa!!!!

Sorry for my absence! I hope I can make it up with this labor of "drinkin" love.

Virgin drinks are not exactly every one's idea of a good time but mine sure spells "Let's get this party started." I mixed several organic fresh fruity flavors to keep it 'serious' and for some silliness, I added a splash of fizz from my sexy red" carbonizer."
Intoxication over at my house only means that you will be high on life. Not only will these non- intoxicated beauties entice you but my "bar aesthetics" sure will thrill you. So come on over and join in on this "wet your whistle" nostalgia, boogie until dawn and still leave in the morning with your good name in tact! LOL!

Groete Suid Afrikaners!

Alhoewel, hierdie drankies nie vir n' skemer partytjie is nie, sal dit nogtans n' indruk maak op jou gaste . Met n' bietjie karbonering en vars organiese vrugte sal jy groot sukses behaal met hierdie drank resepte. Jy hoef ook nie jouself bekommer oor gaste wat sal besope raak nie en daarom is aangewyse persone ook nie verpligtend om gaste huis toe te ry nie.
Kom ons jolyt en geniet asseblief!


"Seedless raspberry and coconut cream dream"

This is listed first because it was my ultimate favorite!
What a drink!!!! This dreamy concoction will envelop
your taste buds and melt all your inhibitions!!!

Puree 6-8oz of fresh organic raspberries and then
strain to remove the seeds. Blend with quarter cup
of pineapple juice and some ice.

For the coconut part of the drink, blend 1 cup of coconut milk,
1 teaspoon coconut extract, 1 teaspoon of banana smoothie powder,
quarter cup of organic rice milk or you can use dairy and some ice. I
added a half of a cup of premium coconut ice cream as well( optional).








Banana and dark chocolate milkshake

Blend half cup of premium chocolate ice cream with
1 cup of organic milk, some ice and for the banana part of the
shake: blend 1 banana, 2 teaspoons of banana smoothie
powder, quarter cup of coconut milk and quarter cup
of organic rice milk( you can use dairy) and some ice.
Garnish with a Flake chocolate.

Click on this pic.





Lychee and Asian pear( or Bosc pear if you so please!)
Ostentatiously Oriental! Lychees have a subtle and fragrantly
sweet taste and also contains a significant amount of vitamin C.

Freeze some lychees for the garnish ( I used the canned variety).
You can of course use the fresh ones if you are lucky enough to have
them in season. Blend 1 cup of lychees and some of the juice,
1 small Asian pear(peeled and cored), quarter cup of coconut milk,
quarter cup of pineapple juice half cup of ice and top it off with a splash
of Australian ginger beer.

Place some of the frozen lychees in the bottom of your glass and enjoy!
I drank both of these all by myself. I dipped the fortune cookies in dark
chocolate and sprinkled them with white nonpareils as a garnish!




Virgin party drinks Click on title for all these recipes!

The orange drink is my " lilikoitizer" Hellooooo Hawaii,
the two tone drink is a strawberry and mango coconut concoction
and the red drink is a Pom( pomtizer)




These are premium virgin drink mixes( blueberry, mango,
lime, pomegranate and cranberry). Add the seltzer and
you are all set! They are a little tart and fizzy!! Just freeze
some ice cubes in a mold for some added whimsy.




No drink will be complete without some kind of a nut!!!

Mix together 1 cup each chopped chili mangoes, roasted
cashews ( and freeze dried cherries and blueberries.
My idea of a trail mix!!!




Cashews roasted in a 350 degree oven for 15 mins.
or until golden, with organic agave honey, a little organic olive oil,
a splash of fresh orange juice and a sprinkle of sweet pickle masala
( just like the sweet Hungarian paprika)




My sexy" carbonizer"





Participate in Yummy food! Click on logo!





I received this award from Yasmeen.
Thank you so much! I love your blog too!





I received this sweet award from MaryBeth.
Thank you! I feel the same way about you too!


I would love to pay these two awards forward to everyone that commented and also visited my blog!






Chefs.com

click here for more virgin drinks

and here for cool garnishes for fruity virgin iced tea!

Happy halloween! eat, drink and be scary!.....and another award!

An edible dark chocolate ( yes the martini glass is all chocolate!) with chocolate mascarpone mousse.


Neither shaken, nor stirred but definitely whipped!

http://www.onestopcandle.com/blog/mousse-filled-edible-martini-glass/




Peanut butter boy is sending out a call for all your favorite peanut butter creations and is also trying to create awareness for the millions of people that starve daily!!! This is serious, so please click on the peanut butter jar and visit his site. You have until Nov. 30th to send in your recipes!


Chocolate peanut butter caramel wafer cookies and my crafty fondant pumpkins.
( See recipe below)






Decadent frozen malted hot chocolate in a real glass ha! ha! ( Like Serendipity's)
Serendipity was the highlight of my New york travels!





3D martini mold

http://www.onestopcandle.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?page=OSC/PROD/CMAO128AB




Here's wishing all you witches, warlocks, gargoyles, ghouls etc... a frightfully good Halloween!

I am invited to a Halloween party and was asked to make chocolate desserts. This was my very first chocolate 3D martini glass and boy! did I struggle! Chocolate is nothing like soap at all! I am such a wizard with my soap creations! Chocolate is way more unstable( temperamental) and it also has to be tempered. The cup ( hollow) part of the glass kept on breaking as I unmolded it. I can mold little chocolate objects with ease like in my " Livin la vita coca post"
Well, as you can see I finally got it right hooray! I hate giving up on anything, so I tried and tried again. Now I have to make about 19 more for the party!

Chocolate mascarpone mousse

• Dark chocolate
• Organic heavy whipping cream
• mascarpone

Melt about 6oz chocolate and let cool. Whip up about 1 cup cold cream and 1/2 c mascarpone for about a minute, add the slightly cooled melted chocolate and whip further until the mousse holds its integrity.

Frozen malted hot chocolate

• Chocolate ice cream
• Organic whipping cream
• Milo
• Malted milk powder
• chocolate shavings
  
• ice cubes
• Organic milk

Heat 2 cups milk on low until lukewarm, whisk in 4t milo and 2t malted milk powder, then take off heat and allow to cool . Pour about 1/2 c cream into blender and the milo mixture and blend. While the motor is running add ice cubes one at a time( about 2 cups), until mixture is slightly thickened. Pour into glasses with a scoop of chocolate ice cream, a little whipped cream, shavings and melted chocolate as garnish.

Chocolate peanut butter caramel wafer cookies

• 24 ice cream wafers ( I either use the ones imported from Denmark called " Loacker"( available at Cost Plus world market or sometimes my family sends me ones from South Africa.
• 6 oz dark chocolate
• 1/2 c condensed milk
• 1 oz organic unsalted butter
• 1T Lyle's golden syrup ( British product)
• 3t smooth peanut butter

Cover an 11in x 7in sheet pan with aluminum. Cover the pan with the wafer cookies until it completely covers the pan, cutting the wafers so that it is a perfect fit, then remove the wafers and set aside.Melt the chocolate and 1/2 oz of the butter in a bain marie( water bath) and then cover the base of the cookie sheet with half of the melted chocolate and arrange half of the wafers over this and refrigerate. Add the golden syrup, remainder of the butter and the condensed milk to a saucepan and stir continuously over low heat until mixture begins to bubble, continue stirring 3 more minutes, then add the peanut butter. Spread the caramel over the wafers, arrange the remainder of the wafers over this and last but not least spread with remaining melted chocolate. Refrigerate for 30 mins and cut into desired shapes. These cookies are a cross between Reeses and a kit kat but not that sweet!

All I can say is that I truly enjoyed these dark chocolate goodies. They were not overly sweet because I did after all use the dark chocolate! I know my friends at the party will all be lured to my rich dark desserts and if not I shall cast a spell on them !


Do you think that I am a true chocoholic????

Well Reeni seem to think so because she passed this award on to me! Many thanks Reeni!!!



I am paying it forward to:

http://kitchenflavours.blogspot.com/
http://couturecarrie.blogspot.com/
http://sakura-lovebaking.blogspot.com/
http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/
http://literallyinthemoment.blogspot.com/
http://girljapan.wordpress.com/
http://vanillakitchen.blogspot.com/
http://agreatpleasure.blogspot.com/
http://hotgarlic.blogspot.com/
http://helene-lacuisine.blogspot.com/
http://foodhuntersguide.blogspot.com/
http://snookydoodlecakes.blogspot.com/
http://novice-baker.blogspot.com/
http://anjumsrasoi.blogspot.com/
http://everydaycookin.blogspot.com/
http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/
http://www.saltnturmeric.com/
http://www.angelasfoodlove.com/
http://www.becomingwhole.typepad.com/
http://inmymind-ncfoodie.blogspot.com/

If I forgot anyone, please just come and claim it, with love from me!!!

Nazarina A


A crooked house in Sopot, Poland. (Vacation spot by the Baltic sea, Poland is where my Sweetie's from)
Can you imagine having a Halloween party in this place?!!!

High tea or afternoon tea? you decide! ( Masala chai with coconut cream)

This little kettle can be used on the stove top and makes about 3 small cups or 2 big cups.

Afternoon tea is normally taken in the late afternoon from 3-5pm with scones, little cream cakes, savories, sweets or desserts whatever your fancy and is also referred to as low tea. High tea on the other hand is served after supper. Tea is only the second most consumed beverage right after H2O.

I, on the other hand, shall have tea whenever I jolly well please to and I do say this with a stiff upper lip LOL!

My preference is a cup of my very own coconut masala chai and stipulations on when and how to drink are definitely not welcome here where my tea ceremonies are concerned! Chai is the term used for tea in most countries and comes from the Chinese word "cha. Masala is a term for a mixture of spices and even though you can use an abundance of spices, I just prefer cardamom and cinnamon in mine. The coconut extract amplifies that sweet coconut taste and that is ultimately what I want to shine!

Boil 2 1/2 cups of water in a little kettle and then add 3 tea bags or 2 teaspoons of loose tea and brew for about one minute. Take off the heat and steep for about about 10 mins. Steam about 1 cup of milk with some cardamom, stick cinnamon and 2 t coconut extract. pour a little milk into each cup and top off with the brewed tea. Stir in 1 t coconut cream and add sugar and garnish with a little roasted coconut flakes.

Here I am having a "klappertertjie"( coconut tart made from puff pastry) with some cooked coconut.

Ingredients

Liquid love affair ! ( Iced mango lassi)

Chill everything except the mango









My sassy mango lassi ( a lassi with a little twist)


" I close my eyes, I know you're there,
addicted to this liquid love affair,
tall, bright and a frosty yellow,
"pour me another" you burly fellow.

A virgin drink, yet so nutritious,
I cannot stop! you're so delicious,
So here's to you, you aim to please,
quit being such a bloody tease!"
Nazarina.


Normally, a lassi ( Indian mango yogurt drink) is made by blending mangoes, yogurt, milk and cardamom. I love a tiny bit of fizz in mine, so I changed the recipe just a little. Please use organic ingredients when possible.

• 1 c superfine sugar
• 11/2 c water
• 1/2 c lemon juice ( fresh)
• 2 c vanilla yogurt
• 1 can mango pulp( see above for my personal best brand)
• 1 bottle lemon sparkling mineral water( Target)
• 1 mango

Method for the yogurt and lemon sorbet:

Boil 11/2 c water with the sugar until the mixture just boils. remove from hot plate and cool and then refrigerate for about half an hour. Add the lemon juice, stir and place in the freezer for about 1 hour. Remove and then whisk in the yogurt, grate some fresh mango on the fine side of the grater and add to this and then either freeze in ice cube trays or just a container until you can scrape with an ice cream scoop.

OR if you do not want to cook anything on the stove top: just buy a pint of lemon sorbet from the market, let it melt and whisk in the yogurt, add the grated fresh mango and then freeze and proceed to follow the directions below to make the lassi.

To make the drink:

Blend some of the frozen yogurt lemon sorbet with the mango pulp ( or fresh mangoes), add just a little lemon mineral water to this mixture not too much( you just want a bit of a fizz) and blend again until incorporated. Pour into pretty glasses with ice cubes and also garnish with more of the lemon yogurt sorbet cubes.

Enjoy the mango lassi!!!

This is my entry for beat the heat competition.

Nazarina.

Join this competition hosted by Southern grace

Levi Anderson has requested to put this recipe on their weg page (See his comment)

Here is the link: http://www.allysonskitchen.com/pc-2635-341-sassy-iced-mango-lassi.aspx

Celebrating Independence day with a product from "Down Under"

Ginger beer floats with my quick berry sorbet stars
and homemade ice cream

I love when the berry sorbet starts to melt
into the ice cream. The fruity flavor cuts
through the creaminess of the ice cream

Floats! who can resist them? I love the ginger beer float with my home made ice cream and the intense fresh raspberry sorbet that I have made in these cute ice trays obtainable from Target and is just a mere buck! It is only raspberries, strawberries and blueberries pureed with a little lemon juice and organic sugar crystals( no cooking involved) , then put through a sieve and frozen and this ginger beer float is a quick little drink to serve on a hot 4th of July weekend or on any other hot summer's day.

This ginger beer is available at Cost Plus and check out this link for my home made ice cream.
http://giddygastronome.blogspot.com/2008/06/falooda-aka-bombay-crush-exquisite-rose.html

Enjoy!

Falooda a.k.a. Bombay Crush ( An exquisite rose-flavored milkshake)

Click here for garnishes for iced teas & more virgin drinks

and here for a virgin pear/ginger beer libation!








FALOODA.

Oh yah!!!!, this drink is so delectably dreamy! Both children and adults cannot stop until there is nothing left. This is a nourishing little number that I make during the Fasting month. It is utterly filling after a long hard day of Fasting and anything with my homemade french vanilla ice cream in it is worthwhile starving for the whole day ! You literally have to tear me away from it!

Unfortunately, for me I have become lactose intolerant bummer!!! But that still does not stop me. I just drink it when no one is around!

Homemade French vanilla ice cream:

Please use all organic ingredients. I used Horizon Organic to make 4 quarts.

2 c milk

1 c sugar or more to taste

1/2 t salt

2 c half and half

3 T vanilla ( from Santo Domingo)

4 c whipping cream

Scald milk until bubbles appear around edge of pan. Remove from heat , add sugar and salt and stir until dissolved. Stir in the half and half, vanilla and whipping cream. refrigerate 30 mins. Churn in your ice cream maker as directed.

NB. I have experimented with some kosher brand of gelatin and rennet tablets and by adding either to the milk, gives one a smoother ice cream and less ice crystals. I shall post this method another time!

See also my other pink dessert! http://giddygastronome.blogspot.com/2008/03/oetker-strawberry-mousse-with-white-and.html

Falooda:

Serves about 6-8 people.

Soak 3 T Tukmuria seeds( jelly seeds) in some water until just covered, they will become 'spongy' after 10 mins. See the little black seeds above. These are available at any Indian store.

In the meanwhile pour 8 cups of cold milk into a jug

Whisk in about 6 or more helpings of ice cream into the milk.

Stir in the 'Rooh-Afza drink mix about 3-5 T depending on the shade of pink you want. This imparts a very distinctive rose-flavor to the drink. Drain the Tukmuria seeds and add little by little to see if you like these seeds in the drink. However, it is these little seeds that makes this drink exotic and it is sooooo good!

Enjoy!

Some people add pieces of China grass( jelly) , but I prefer not to.

Nazarina A

Kheer ( Boeber) A rich and creamy drink with overtones of cardamom and cinnamon.

OMG! I love this drink. We make this during the month of Ramadan( Fasting month).This drink is rich and creamy and has all the warm spices( more like fall spices) and boy could you get your required Vitamin D all in one sitting!

Please use organic if you can! And....Please use any brands of ingredients however, these brands set the final product apart from mundane to marvelous!

Ingredients:

5 cups of very vanilla Silk soy milk( or you can use dairy which most people prefer)

2 to 4 T sugar, or to taste( Repunzel unrefined organic sugar) I do not like overly sweet dishes, so adapt to your palate .

3 T unsalted organic European butter / Or ghee( clarified butter).

1 T soji( semolina) (Swad)

2 handfuls roasted extra fine vermicelli( Ahmed brand), crushed .

1 T small tapioca pearls soaked for an hour in water.

1 T rose water and 1t vanilla (I use the kind from Santo Domingo)

3 small cinnamon sticks

5 cardamom( elachi) seeds

1/4 c sultanas or golden raisins.

My Mom used to add nuts, but I like it without the nuts!

Method: In a saucepan heat the butter, add the vermicelli and saute until golden brown in color on medium heat. Add the soji( semolina) , cinnamon, cardamom and the sultanas and saute until soji has that ' nutty' aroma( 5 mins.), stirring continuously. Add the milk and sugar and stir to prevent scorching. When the milk looks creamy, add the tapioca pearls which by now should be almost transparent because of the pre soak. Bring this mixture to boil and then lower heat to a very low temp. Lastly add the rose water and the vanilla and just keep warm. If it feels thick just add more milk. I like mine to be of pourable consistency / Or just before serving , vigorously shake the carton of milk and pour just a tiny little bit of the fresh milk on the already cooked and presented cup or bowl of boeber!

E-mail me if you have questions. Go to my "view profile"

Thank you Danica for the pretty cups and flowers!!!!

Virgin drinks

Click here for more Virgin drinks!












Okay so there is no alcohol in these, but it still spells P A R T Y!

The two tone smoothie on the red tray is a strawberry coconut milk mixture and the other side, a mango coconut mixture. Blend 1 cup of mango pulp with a half cup of coconut cream and a half cup of pineapple juice. Do the same with 1 cup of fresh strawberries but strain this mixture to get rid of seeds and then follow the same procedure as for the mango part of the drink. For the orange drink , mix 1 cup of frozen lillikoi that has been defrosted , half a cup of Australian ginger beer and half cup of seltzer. The red drink is 1 cup of Pom( pomegranate juice and quarter to a half cup of seltzer. Click on my older link below for the Alpine smoothie.

http://giddygastronome.blogspot.com/2008/03/brunch-delectables.html

click here for more virgin drinks!

and here for cool garnishes for fruity virgin iced teas!


Nazarina A