Home decor : Windows

Windows never fail to catch one's attention. Use this to advantage -- to create a mood, make a statement, or focus a view. Think of your window as a canvas. By dressing it up using colour and detailing, you can brighten up any room. Of course, the window treatments should complement the room's décor. If possible, plan for your window treatments when you are renovating/ constructing. Forget patterns and prints (unless they are really bold and defiant). Concentrate on the texture and drape of the fabric. Be creative. Experiment with painting, block printing and embroidery techniques to create a curtain/ blind that is yours and yours alone. The best way to complement a good curtain treatment is the use of light. Natural light, table lamps, floor lamps and wall/ ceiling fixtures (even candles work just as well, if you want to be really creative) can enhance the setting. You can use different options to create different moods. If someone walks into your house, sees the curtains/ blinds and remarks, "That's interesting! ", you know you have hit the nail on the head

The master bedroom You are likely to spend a lot of time here, so make sure you don't tire of the décor easily. It should exude comfort and warmth. The window in the picture belongs to a couple who wanted something formal yet simple. Colours were out, which left us with detailing. Drapes We chose simple drapes with a pleated heading and embroidered borders in the Greek key motif. They are hung from ceiling height on a simple but elegant drapery pole that has a copper finish and nice ends. It is important to choose hardware with a contemporary design; the variety of options today allow for a lot more flexibility. Illusion of height Ceiling height curtains make the room look grand. The full height of the wall is used to make the room look bigger and pulls the eye upwards. Detailing The fabric is a textured, dull gold, silk fabric with an excellent drape that focuses on style-without- fuss. It is important to have a heavy drape with good pleats. The embroidery motif in olive green adds just the appropriate amount of detailing. If the view from the window is good, use the lightest sheer to keep away the direct glare of sunlight. On the other hand, if you have a bit of an eyesore to deal with (which is usually the case in the cities we live in), or another building facing your window, then a textured stripe or checked sheer would work best. It gets you the light, and keeps everything else away. Blinds In this picture, a semi-sheer check in three tones is used for the roman blinds. These blinds have a dual purpose. Firstly, the fabric allows the light to filter in while providing the necessary privacy and hiding the view of the neighbouring house. Secondly, the blinds make the room look more spacious and are in line with the minimalist décor. The fabrics are in tones of olive, dull gold, off white and beige and complement the cherry wood finish. Accessories The bedspread coordinates with the drapes and accentuates the individuality of the room. A coordinated bedspread is the perfect companion to a well-thought out window treatment in a bedroom. As long as all the elements in the room -- from the furniture to the fabrics -- look like they get along, your room is a beautiful place to be in. Even if one element is out of place, it could be visually disturbing.

The dining space It is not just the food that is going to score points out here (if your culinary skills are not that great, then working on the décor is absolutely essential!). Inviting your girlfriend/ boyfriend over, entertaining your boss, or having a small get together of friends? Then your dining room must impress. Make a statement Since dining rooms usually have heavy furniture and few accessories, the window treatments should make a statement and bring some colour into the room. The style of the furniture, the flooring, wood finish and wall colour would dictate the window treatment to a large extent. To create a feeling of warmth and luxury, use warm tones. Understated elegance A dining area would generally have just one window. In this picture, we have a formal dining area that needs to make a statement of understated elegance. The dining table and sideboard are in a deep walnut matt finish, which is offset by the burnt stripe fabric used on the blinds. The diamond border in four colours on a soft apricot silk brings in the detailing. The sheers are an off-white self-stripe that adds to the warmth of the room. The illusion of space The double blind system makes the relatively small dining room appear larger and the valance (short drapery, decorative board or metal strip mounted across the top of a window to conceal structural fixtures) dresses it up and gives it a formal touch. The apricot silk valance has embroidered borders that coordinate with the blinds and is casually draped over an antique bronze drapery pole. This makes it look contemporary, even as it retains the luxurious feel. Inviting colours Dining room windows should have colours that are inviting. Warm tones are better for rooms with less light and/ or dark wood finish. Cool summer colours are a perfect complement to the lighter wood finishes and bright, well-lit rooms. If you are using curtains, ensure you have them drop from the maximum height possible to create a feeling of subtle opulence. A great view is best framed using a sheer fabric in pastel or summer tones in a heavy pleated drape. Accessories Coordinate table linen to complement your window treatment. Most people don't pay attention to this detail; those who do get compliments because it is a detail that always catches the eye. Sometimes, it even makes up for a not-so-impressive main course!

Contemporary designs Modern décor puts an emphasis on lines. A well-done curtain can highlight your home's desirable architectural features, even as it camouflages its shortcomings. Style without fuss In the example shown, a fabric in a neutral tone (as close to the wall colour as possible) is used to ensure that one can keep the curtains drawn all day. A simple textured fabric is used with blackout lining in this bedroom that also doubles as an entertainment area. The lining keeps the light out so as not to obstruct television viewing during the day. Infuse some drama A six-inch band of suede fabric in deep forest green adds to the effect. The suede fabric acts as a heading and makes the room look contemporary. Why suede? Well, it looks terribly hip! The eyelet drapes keep it simple, while the chrome finish rod coordinates perfectly with the walnut and stainless steel cabinets, bed and chairs. Often, a contrast fabric used on the heading or along the length of the drapes is the best way to create the necessary embellishment, without interfering with the modern décor. The borders can be plain or with eyelets that have a sash running through it in a third colour that makes it look even funkier. A formal look would just require a bit of appliqué on the borders with a small beaded fringe. Colours The colours used in the border could be an offset in a bright colour or it could be a tone-on-tone (two shades of the same color used together with out a line of a contrasting color to separate them) depending on whether you want to bring some excitement in, or create an understated elegance. Did you notice the coordinated fabric made-to-order for the chairs? Or the floor cushions? Small details. Big effect

Blinds instead of curtains By and large, unless it is a living or dining room, master bedroom or large French windows, blinds (something, such as a window shade or a Venetian blind, that hinders vision or shuts out light) are generally a better option. Why blinds They keep the look simple and the need to use full-length curtains is reserved for formal areas. Bedrooms that have half-size windows, are ideal for blind concepts. A blind does not have to be just one flat piece of fabric; it offers a whole host of opportunities to exercise one's creativity. Experiment One such possibility is the fan design that brings out the existing window feature and turns the window into a picture frame. The stripe fabric brings in a lot of colour and is ideal for this particular design. The pastel green combined with a deep rust; peach and beige complement the natural teak furniture. The tab top design allows for the use of a pole as an added feature. This one, in a bronze finish, has some interesting ends that serve as an embellishment. Play with light The blinds are kept half raised to allow the light to stream in and serve as a backdrop for the fan. The bedspread, in matching colours, makes an otherwise small and non-descript room look warm and inviting.

A teenage boy's pad A teenage boy's room should have bold colours and reflect his personality and taste in some way. This boy's favourite colours are blue and yellow, as is evident. The golden cedar furniture offsets the blue and yellow used on the blinds. The cotton fabric keeps it informal. The check design has been created using two plain fabrics and stitching them together in a patchwork design. A cross-stitch detail in metal thread gives it a contemporary feel. The blinds have a tab top heading with yellow buttons, fitted on a nickel finish rod with cedar finials (a sculptured ornament, often in the shape of a leaf or flower, at the top of a gable, pinnacle, or similar structure). The blind concept has been repeated inversely on the bedspread, thereby tying in the concept with the furniture and décor. Generally, cotton fabric works best in a boy's room as they come in bright colours and do not look formal. They are also cheaper and thus easy to re-do in another colour/ design when the person gets bored of the style or grows out of the concept, as they often do.

Cooking Guides

Basic Kitchen Protocol Follow safe approaches for dressing to cook, handling knives, preventing burns, and using electrical appliances. Proper Food Handling Wash hands and toss expired food, yes. Also know how to taste correctly, prevent contamination, and freeze, refrigerate and thaw your meals. Oven Temperatures and Conversions Translate Celsius to Fahrenheit. Plus, test when meat and fish have reached their safe-to-eat stage. Cooking Weights and Measures Understand how to measure dry v. fluid ingredients, including less specific quantities such as "pinch" and "heaping." Removing Stains Time-tested tricks to cleaning up tough spills, from gum to coffee. Grocery Lists to Cell Phones Customize and send ingredient lists from selected recipes to your cell phone. Seafood Guide Choose fin fish and shellfish based on freshness and seasonality. Seasonal Produce Guide See which fruits and vegetables are farm-fresh in fall, spring and summer. Herb and Spice Guide Learn how to add the most popular fresh and dried flavorings to dishes. Washing Produce Also, how to dry fresh vegetables and fruits and when NOT to wash. Top 10 Pantry Items Our Food Network Kitchens chefs name their must-have ingredients, with a recipe to match.

Beware of these 'healthy' foods!

We live in a health conscious and appearance-possesse d world today. Never before have we been more concerned about how thin we look or how our clothes fit. This quest to achieve the ultimate body has also prompted us to make healthier eating choices. Or so we think. Supermarkets are filled with aisle after aisle of products labelled 'low fat' or 'zero fat', but a quick read of the nutrition information on the flip side of these products shows that these foods could actually be labelled 'high sugar', 'high sodium' or 'absolutely fibre free'. Marketing gimmicks and general misinformation have confused and frustrated us to the point of rethinking this so-called healthy lifestyle.

1. Fruit juices While juices might be full of vitamins and minerals, and might be the most appealing drink on a hot, hot afternoon, they might not be the best choice for your diet. Juices take up very little place in the stomach, leaving you hungry and unsatisfied. They also lack the one important ingredient that whole fruits contain: fibre. Opt for the whole fruit instead of the juice. And you will benefit from the vitamin and mineral content as well as the good old stomach-filling fibre.

2. Raisins While most fruits (besides avocado), are fat-free and chockfull of vitamins and minerals, raisins are simply too dense in carbohydrates to be considered a diet food. At 115 grams of carbs per one cup (145 grams) serving, you would probably be better sticking to lower carbohydrate and thus lower calorie fruits, like strawberries, apples, oranges or peaches.

3. Corn flakes Be it the high sugared or the sugar-free variety, corn flakes do not qualify as the ideal breakfast cereal. Lacking a decent amount of fiber, corn flakes fail to fill you up or provide a steady flow of energy. Stick to other high fiber cereals, like wheat flakes. You will do even better with high fibre hot cereals, like oatmeal or cream of rye!

4. Ghee Grandma's favourite addition to any dish, be it rotis, parathas, curry, meat and, in more extreme cases, even with toast or biscuits. However, grandma grew up when people thought ghee was healthy and necessary for the human body. It helped your skin glow, improve your memory and, somehow or the other, was heart healthy and reduced cholesterol levels as well! Well, it is 2005. And while ghee might have a few healthy properties which include its content of monounsaturated fatty acids, its saturated fat content is too high to allow it to be anywhere close to being 'good for you'. Ghee can make any dish delicious, so can its other cholesterol filled counterpart, butter, which is actually lower in calories: 1 tablespoon of butter gives you 90 calories. 1 tablespoon of ghee gives you 115 calories! This is not to mean that you should avoid ghee. Just that you should consume it in moderation. This means you should be able to see those vegetables clearly and not have to fish them out!

5. Brown bread Brown bread is not always more nutritious than white. The bread you want to make part of your healthy diet is the wholewheat variety. The brown colour is sometimes just white bread with added colouring. Unfortunately, people eating slice after slice of this so-called healthy brown bread thinking they are providing their body with heaps of valuable fibre, iron, B vitamins, etc, are just victims of this cruel marketing gimmick. To tell whether a brown bread is really more nutritious, read the label. If the first ingredient is wholewheat, this is a healthy food. If it says 'bleached' or 'enriched' flour, or just wheat flour, it is just coloured white bread.

Foods you must have

It is clichéd, but true: you are what you eat! How we look, how we feel, how healthy we are, how we perform our daily tasks -- it all narrows down to what we eat. How easy it would be if we knew which foods could be beneficial to us -- to help us feel energetic, to help us improve our health, to help us in our battle against body fat. Get Ahead gives you a guide -- in two parts -- as to what we consider the ten most beneficial foods. These foods are rated on the basis of the health benefits they provide, the fibre content, their vitamin and mineral content as well as low fat and caloric content. Note: These foods work best when combined with an all round healthy diet and regular exercise regimen.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 1. Oatmeal Touted as the breakfast of athletes all around the world, this mushy, gushy delicious grain can be the first addition you could make to your new and healthy diet and lifestyle change. Unlike other breakfast cereals that are loaded with sugar and stripped of all fibre, which give you a sugar-loaded burst of energy and then drop drastically, allowing it to drop. Oats are slow to digest and thus provide you a steady sustained flow of energy to take you through the first few hours of the day. Oatmeal is also loaded with fibre, especially the soluble kind, and has thus been proven to be invaluable in the battle against high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Mix it with milk, fruit, yoghurt or nuts; have it hot or cold; use it in cooking -- just make sure to make this heart healthy food a part of your daily diet.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 2. Tomatoes Our tiny little red friends are a lot more powerful and beneficial to us than we could ever imagine. Tomatoes contain a carotenoid (a class of highly unsaturated yellow to red pigments occurring in plants), called lycopene. Not only has this powerful carotenoid been proven to improve immunity as well as reduce the risk of developing heart attacks, it has also been proven, believe it or not, to reduce the risk of cancers of the prostate, breast, lung, stomach, pancreas, colon, esophagus, mouth and cervix! While we realise that there are just so many raw tomatoes that we can stomach, here is where it gets more interesting. Research shows that lycopene in tomatoes can be absorbed more efficiently by the body if processed into sauce, paste and ketchup, thus making the tomato one of the few vegetables that is actually more beneficial in its processed or cooked form than when its raw.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 3. Almonds Nuts have always managed to get a bad rap due to their high caloric content. Thus, they are often overlooked for their fibre and protein content as well as being an important source of healthy unsaturated fats and numerous beneficial minerals and vitamins. While all nuts do have their benefits, if I had to name just one as the most beneficial, it would have to be almonds. These tasty, crunchy treats are sprinkled into cereals, salads, ice cream as well as being a calming cooling airline snack we rely on to curb our hunger during those long flights. Little do we realise that not only do almonds provide taste and texture to foods, they also provide more complete nutrition in one handful than you can imagine. Just 28 grams (around 23 almonds) provide us with 9 grams of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, 6 grams of muscle building protein, 3 grams of fiber, 200 mg of potassium, 65 mg of bone strengthening calcium as well as a hearty dose of vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, copper, zinc and riboflavin. As with most other foods, moderation is important. Nuts do have a high caloric content and it is so very easy to inhale an entire box of these tasty crunchy characters without a thought!

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 4. Fish Who would have thought that our smelly friends from the sea could prove to be one of the most beneficial foods in the world? When we were younger, fish was inexplicably considered 'brain food'. Studies in later years concluded that the omega 3 fatty acids were what actually made fish brain food, as well as making it one of the most beneficial foods as far as heart health, lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels and treating psychiatric illnesses, like depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, were considered. Recent studies have also shown benefits of omega 3 fatty acids for people suffering from arthritis and other joint conditions. Let us not forget the protein punch that fish provides us with, as well as delicious taste whether we decide to order it soaked in butter and garlic or whether we decide to go healthy and have it steamed or grilled. As every fish has its own unique taste and beneficial characteristics, mackerel and salmon lead as far as omega 3 fatty acid content goes.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 5. Milk Something our mothers always told us to drink before we left our home, when we were kids. Think she had any idea that milk is one of the highest quality sources of whole food protein, with a biological value second only to eggs? And let's not forget the calcium content that milk provides us with, preventing our bones from becoming weak and hollow and developing osteoporosis later in life. Recent studies have also proved that calcium could be beneficial in our battle against body fat. Just make sure to have low fat or fat free milk, which provides us with the same important nutrients minus the fat and the cholesterol. So let's thank our mommies for nagging us all those years and drink away to a lean muscular physique! PS: Please check that you are not lactose intolerant before you drink milk.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 6. Apple Every fruit has its benefits to the human body. Bananas are rich in heart-healthy potassium, strawberries rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, watermelon is rich in heart-healthy and cancer-preventing lycopene, etc. But we have decided to name the apple as the fruit of our choice due its high antioxidant and fibre content, its taste, its ability to fill a person as well as its extremely low caloric content. Apples are often overlooked due to the lack of vitamin C when compared to fruits like oranges. But recent research has indicated that apples have more antioxidant activity than would be expected from their vitamin C content. This antioxidant activity is thought to come from other natural substances in apples, collectively called phytochemicals. The nutritious content of the apple is very favourable: a medium sized apple contains a mere 80 calories, with no fat or cholesterol content as well as a whopping 5 grams of fibre. Apples are especially rich in pectin fibre, associated with helping keep blood cholesterol levels in balance as well as helping to control appetite levels, thus aiding us in our battle against overeating.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 7. Tea Everyone has their choice of beverage they rely on to perk them up when their energy levels run low, to relax them when the stress just gets too much, or that they can simply enjoy because of its fine taste. Unfortunately, most people go for sugary soft drinks or creamy café lattes. It's time to switch. To tea! It is tasty, contains some caffeine to perk you, but not too much that it leaves you jittery. It also provides a cupful of antioxidants called flavonoids, that may help prevent cholesterol- damaging arteries. Recent research also suggests that this popular beverage can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack and Parkinson's disease. While most teas are good for you, green tea contains the highest amount of flavonoids, making it an extremely potent antioxidant. Epigallocatechin Gallate (ECGC), the green tea extract, is also known for its fat-burning benefits. Another very interesting bit of information is that green tea is also known to suppress foul breath caused by certain foods.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 8. Garlic It was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed on by Greek Olympian athletes. It aids in keeping the heart healthy, wards off coughs and colds, reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, controls high blood pressure, and chases away vampires and witches (as well as a couple of friends and family members)! Yep, this aptly nicknamed 'stinking rose' has a number of benefits, and not just to make Italian dishes taste so good.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 9. Kidney beans We highly recommend you add beans to you meal plan. Beans are high in fibre, both insoluble as well as the all-important, cholesterol- lowering soluble kind. Their high fibre content also slows down the digestion, thus providing a steady flow of energy as well as keeps you feeling more satiated at the end of the meal. They are also a good source of a host of vitamins and minerals. Why kidney beans? Because of their delicious taste and the fact that they are an excellent source of iron, folate as well as magnesium. Red kidney beans lead the way as far as antioxidant content in beans go. Add them to soups or salads, use them in your curries, use them in your sabzis whatever you do, don't miss out on this nutritional powerhouse. But make sure you add them gradually to your meal plan.

/" target=_blank rel=nofollow> 10. Water Maybe it isn't the best choice to include in a list of 'foods', but it is so very, very important to include water at all times of the day! Water is a fundamental part of our lives. It is easy to forget how completely we depend on it. Water has been ranked by experts as second only to oxygen as essential for life. The average adult body has 55 to 75 percent water. Two-thirds of our body weight is water. A human embryo is more than 80 percent water. A newborn baby is 74 percent water. The water you drink literally becomes you! The functions of water go far beyond just hydration. They include aiding digestion, weight loss, battling water retention, regulating body temperature, aiding the kidney in excretion, lubricating our joints, the list goes on and on and on.

8 Foods for your skin

When it comes to glowing flawless skin, you may think only creams and lotions can do the trick. We showcase some foods that literally feed your skin from within, making it healthier and more beautiful. Oranges What they do: They are loaded with Vitamin C, which protects your skin from damage from environmental factors like ultraviolet rays. Vitamin C keeps your gums healthy and helps your skin to make collagen, which is necessary to keep it tight and wrinkle free. How to consume: You need 200 mg of Vitamin C per day. There's enough in one orange for your entire day's needs. It's better to consume the whole fruit than just have the juice. Smoking is a no-no as it decreases the absorption of Vitamin C into the system. Conditions it helps: ~ Bleeding, tender gums. ~ Healing wounds. ~ Prevents skin from looking dull due exposure to the sun. Papayas What they do: This delicious, low-calorie fruit is not just a dieter's delight; it comes packed with carotenoids that release Vitamin A. Vitamin A has an antioxidant effect; it protects your skin from damage and keeps it young. It is also known to decrease the risk of cancer. How to consume: About 200 gm (a big bowlful) is adequate. The part near the seeds is the richest in nutrients, so it should not be discarded. Instead, just lightly flake off the seeds with a fork. Conditions it helps: Dry skin and dry mucosa (the lining of your mouth and eyes). Whole grains What they do: These are full of vitamins of the B group; these vitamins are essential for normal skin functioning, growth of new cells to replace dead ones and to maintain the skin's strength against infections and stress. Niacin in whole grains also helps skin cells to absorb nutrients from the blood and break them to release energy. How to consume: Select breads, biscuits and pastas that mention 'whole grain' instead of just wheat flour in the ingredients. Try to eat unpolished rice (brown rice). You could also add wheat bran (husk of wheat) to your chappatti dough. Conditions it helps: ~ Peeling, cracked skin ~ Rough hands and feet. ~ Mouth ulcers, sore tongue, rawness at the angles of your mouth. ~ A disease called pellagra, where skin becomes dark, flaky and burnt. Sunflower seeds What they do: These light, crisp, nutritious morsels are filled with the goodness of essential fatty acids. They help your skin secrete natural oils that lubricate it and prevent water loss, keeping your skin soft. They improve hair texture and decrease blackheads. How to consume: A few teaspoons once or twice a week is enough. Alternately, use sunflower oil for cooking. Conditions it helps: ~ Diseases like psoriasis, where you get pink, scaly patches on your skin and cracked soles. ~ Diseases like atopic dermatitis, where skin is excessively dry and sensitive and keeps breaking into rashes. ~ Some forms of acne. Green tea What it does: Green tea is loaded with flavinoids and antioxidants. Drinking it is the best gift you could give your skin. Sunlight, UV rays and free radical (chemicals) in the atmosphere can damage your skin cell's structure and leave it incapable of repairing itself, making you look older and wrinkled before your years. It may also cause skin cancer. Antioxidants in green tea battle these agents, helping your skin stay younger. How to consume: Soak a tea bag or a teaspoon of tea leaves in a cup of hot water for at least three minutes to get the full extract. This is available at any pharmacy. Adding milk neutralises the antioxidants, so it is best to have it black. Conditions it helps: ~ Wrinkled, aged looking skin and sunburns. ~ Rashes due to sun exposure. ~ Pigmentation due to menopause or pregnancy. Pulses What they do: Pulses are not just a rich source of protein that helps your skin cells grow, they also contain a nutrient called biotin, which helps decrease dandruff and is effective in controlling hair fall. Regular intake keeps your nails stay strong as well. How to consume: Pulses must be cooked well to break the outer protective coats and release the vitamins inside. Whole pulses are better than the de-husked variety. Whole moong or urad dal are the best. Body builders beware; eating raw eggs prevents absorption of nutrients like biotin, causing its deficiency. Conditions they help: ~ Dull lifeless skin gets a glow with a high protein pulses-rich diet. ~ Stops hair loss, decreases dandruff. ~ Helps brittle, dry nails. Aloe Vera What it does: This miracle plant's products have no end to their virtues. Drinking aloe juice is beneficial for patchy, irritated skin, preventing and treating acne and preventing pigmentation. How to consume: About 30 ml daily is enough. Buy packaged juice only, which is available with chemists. Don't try to eat the plant jelly directly as you could take in harmful inedible substances from the leaf surface. Conditions it helps: Acne, pigmentation, skin rashes, heat rashes and allergic reactions. Nuts What they do: These may be high in calories but they are also rich in zinc, which is needed for skin cells to grow, multiply and protect themselves from free radicals. It is also helpful in maintaining immunity (capability to fight infection) of the skin and helping in normal hair growth. They also contain essential fatty acids that prevent dryness of skin and hair. How to consume: A fistful of groundnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashew nuts once or twice a week will give you all health benefits, without shaking the foundations of your calorie count chart. Do remove the skins if you like, but have whole. Avoid coffee and tea as they decrease absorption of these nutrients from nuts. Conditions they help: ~ Children with sensitive skin or skin allergies. ~ Hair loss and rough, unruly hair.

coolers

Grapefruit Mint Cooler

Ingredients:

• 125 ml Water
• 125 gms Sugar
• 250 ml Soda water
• Handful of Mint Sprigs
• 450 ml Grapefruit juice
• Mint sprigs, to decorate
• Juice of a 4 large Lemons
• Crushed Ice

Method:

1. Put the sugar and water in a heavy-based saucepan and stir over a low heat until dissolved. Leave to cool.
2. Crush the mint leaves and stir then into the syrup. Cover and leave to stand for about 12 hours, then strain into a jug.
3. Add the lemon and grapefruit juices to the strained syrup and stir well. Fill 6 old-fashioned glasses or tumblers with crushed ice and pour the grapefruit into the glasses.
4. Top up with the soda water and decorate with mint sprigs.

Tip: Dry Ice (frozen CO2 not very cold water ice) is fun to use sometimes, but don't use it with carbonated beverages.

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Pink Melon Delight

Ingredients:

• 300 ml Ginger Ale
• 2-3 scoops Orange Sorbet
• 150 gms Melon, cut into dice
• 150 gms Strawberries, plus extra to decorate

Method:

1. Put the melon, strawberries and orange sorbet in a blender and blend at high speed for 15 seconds.
2. Gently stir in the ginger ale, pour into wine glasses and decorate each with a strawberry.

Tip: Pour lemon juice with sugar and a little salt into ice trays, to make cubes which can be used for instant lemonade.

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Limeade

Ingredients:

• 6 Limes
• 750 ml Boiling Water
• 125 gms Castor Sugar
• Pinch of Salt
• Ice-Cubes
• Lime wedges and Mint leaves to decorate

Method:

1. Halve the limes then squeeze the juice into a large jug.
2. Put the squeezed lime halves into another heatproof jug with the sugar and boiling water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes.
3. Add the salt, give the infusion a good stir, then strain it into the jug holding the lime juice.
4. Add half a dozen ice cubes in each glass and pour the limeade over.
5. Add a lime wedge and a mint leaf to decorate.

Tip: To keep coconut kernels fresh rub a little salt over them, or sprinkle a little salt water on them

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Peach Lassi

Ingredients:

• 1 part Banana
• 1 part Peach juice
• 1 part liquid Yoghurt

Method:

1. Blend equal quantities of yoghurt, peach juice and banana.
2. Pour in wine glasses with cocktail sticks of orange and banana.
3. Serve chilled.
   
   Serve: 1

Tip: Crushed ice cools food and drinks fast; block ice lasts longer.

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Rose Water

Ingredients:

• 1 litre Water
• 100 gms Sugar
• 200 gms Rose petals
• Juice of half Lemon

Method:

1. Wash the petals well and simmer them in water with sugar and the juice from half a lemon. Allow to cool.
2. Pour onto ice in flutes decorated with a rose.
3. Drink either straight or topped up with soda water.
   
   The sugar quantities should be adjusted according to taste.

Tip: Crushed ice cools food and drinks fast; block ice lasts longer.

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Limey

Ingredients:

• 1 Egg White
• 400 ml Lime juice
• 400 ml Lemon juice

Method:

1. Blend the ingredients with ice in a blender until foamy and pour into cocktail glasses.
2. Decorate with a stick of green cocktail cherries and lime slices.
   
   For those who prefer less astringency, caster sugar may be added to taste during blending.
   
   Serves: 4-6

Tip: Pour lemon juice with sugar and a little salt into ice trays, to make cubes which can be used for instant lemonade.

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Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

• Fresh Milk
• Sugar to taste
• 2½ tbsps Instant coffee

Method:

1. Put the coffee and sugar into a 1 litre coffee pot or jug, add a small amount of boiling water and stir until dissolved.
2. Fill the pot with cold water and chill in the refrigerator.
3. Quarter-fill cider or rocks glasses with black iced coffee.
4. Top up with cold milk and add an ice cube. Garnish with whipped cream.
   
   Serves: 6

coolers

Grapefruit Mint Cooler


Ingredients:
125 ml Water
125 gms Sugar
250 ml Soda water
Handful of Mint Sprigs
450 ml Grapefruit juice
Mint sprigs, to decorate
Juice of a 4 large Lemons
Crushed Ice


Method:
Put the sugar and water in a heavy-based saucepan and stir over a low heat until dissolved. Leave to cool.
Crush the mint leaves and stir then into the syrup. Cover and leave to stand for about 12 hours, then strain into a jug.
Add the lemon and grapefruit juices to the strained syrup and stir well. Fill 6 old-fashioned glasses or tumblers with crushed ice and pour the grapefruit into the glasses.
Top up with the soda water and decorate with mint sprigs.


Tip: Dry Ice (frozen CO2 not very cold water ice) is fun to use sometimes, but don't use it with carbonated beverages.
____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _____

Pink Melon Delight


Ingredients:
300 ml Ginger Ale
2-3 scoops Orange Sorbet
150 gms Melon, cut into dice
150 gms Strawberries, plus extra to decorate


Method:
Put the melon, strawberries and orange sorbet in a blender and blend at high speed for 15 seconds.
Gently stir in the ginger ale, pour into wine glasses and decorate each with a strawberry.


Tip: Pour lemon juice with sugar and a little salt into ice trays, to make cubes which can be used for instant lemonade.
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Limeade


Ingredients:
6 Limes
750 ml Boiling Water
125 gms Castor Sugar
Pinch of Salt
Ice-Cubes
Lime wedges and Mint leaves to decorate


Method:
Halve the limes then squeeze the juice into a large jug.
Put the squeezed lime halves into another heatproof jug with the sugar and boiling water and leave to infuse for 15 minutes.
Add the salt, give the infusion a good stir, then strain it into the jug holding the lime juice.
Add half a dozen ice cubes in each glass and pour the limeade over.
Add a lime wedge and a mint leaf to decorate.


Tip: To keep coconut kernels fresh rub a little salt over them, or sprinkle a little salt water on them
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Peach Lassi


Ingredients:
1 part Banana
1 part Peach juice
1 part liquid Yoghurt


Method:
Blend equal quantities of yoghurt, peach juice and banana.
Pour in wine glasses with cocktail sticks of orange and banana.
Serve chilled.

Serve: 1


Tip: Crushed ice cools food and drinks fast; block ice lasts longer.
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Rose Water


Ingredients:
1 litre Water
100 gms Sugar
200 gms Rose petals
Juice of half Lemon


Method:
Wash the petals well and simmer them in water with sugar and the juice from half a lemon. Allow to cool.
Pour onto ice in flutes decorated with a rose.
Drink either straight or topped up with soda water.

The sugar quantities should be adjusted according to taste.


Tip: Crushed ice cools food and drinks fast; block ice lasts longer.
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Limey


Ingredients:
1 Egg White
400 ml Lime juice
400 ml Lemon juice


Method:
Blend the ingredients with ice in a blender until foamy and pour into cocktail glasses.
Decorate with a stick of green cocktail cherries and lime slices.

For those who prefer less astringency, caster sugar may be added to taste during blending.

Serves: 4-6


Tip: Pour lemon juice with sugar and a little salt into ice trays, to make cubes which can be used for instant lemonade.
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Iced Coffee


Ingredients:
Fresh Milk
Sugar to taste
2½ tbsps Instant coffee


Method:
Put the coffee and sugar into a 1 litre coffee pot or jug, add a small amount of boiling water and stir until dissolved.
Fill the pot with cold water and chill in the refrigerator.
Quarter-fill cider or rocks glasses with black iced coffee.
Top up with cold milk and add an ice cube. Garnish with whipped cream.

Serves: 6