Faluda - Rose Syrup Flavoured Milky Beverage Topped with Jello

Faluda

Faluda is layered dessert in a glass that originated in Iran. It's a multi-textured summer drink which the Parsis, who migrated to India from Iran, introduced to the Indian people who in turn took it with them to Burma. It is an integral part of the menus at ice cream parlours and restaurants which serve variations of this sweet beverage. The closest comparison I can think of is milk shake pumped up with nuts, seeds and very thin spaghetti.

Spiced Apple Cider

The Brew

After a festive meal is prepared, this is a wonderful brew to put on the stove to fill your home with the aroma of apples, oranges and spices. Have it hot on a cold wintry or rainy day, or chilled on a hot and humid day. 

Spiced Apple Cider

The recipe contains 5 simple ingredients, all of which are available in any supermarket. If oranges are not in season, replace them with slices of one lemon or lime. And make sure to set the spiced orange segments aside after draining the cider for dessert, topped with ice cream or brandy.

Spiced Orange Segments

The remnants after straining the cider can be simmered with water to serve as a potpouri to welcome your guests.

Potpouri 

Ingredients:

1/2 gallon apple cider

6 cinnamon sticks

1/2 cup brown or coconut sugar

1 tsp. whole cloves

1 navel or 2 mandarin oranges, sliced

Directions:

1.  Place all ingredients in a large stainless steel saucepan.
2.  Bring to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves.
3.  Lower heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes.
4.  Strain spiced cider and serve hot or chilled overnight in the refrigerator.

Burmese Moh Let Saung - Coconut Milk & Tapioca Beverage

Moh Let Saung

This cold and refreshing drink is perfect for a hot summer day. The 3 essential components are the base coconut milk, any sweetener and delightful little bits & pieces of goodness to add some texture. I made this a couple of years ago, but since the last two ingredients can vary according to what's in your pantry or what you fancy that day, I'm providing an alternative to the recipe posted before.

The traditional sweetener is solid palm sugar that is chopped, dissolved in water and cooked until syrupy. I've made it with pure maple syrup before and with agave syrup today, so take your pick. All kinds of delightful tid-bits can be added to this beverage, such as rehydrated basil seeds, white tapioca pearls, bean thread vermicelli and bits of jello.

Burmese Cool & Refreshing Coconut Beverage - Moh Let Saung

The Ingredients

Moh Let Saung

Moh Let Saung is a light, cool and refreshing beverage comprising coconut milk sweetened with Maple Syrup (in place of liquefied jaggery/gur), tapioca pearls, bits of coconut jello (Kyauk Kyaw) and coconut strings. It’s the perfect beverage for a hot and humid day.

I was so excited to see Silk Pure Coconut Milk among the milk alternatives in the dairy aisle of the grocery store and Moh Let Saung jumped to the forefront of my mind.  All kinds of delightful tid-bits can be added to this beverage, such as rehydrated basil seeds, white tapioca pearls, bean thread vermicelli and bits of jello.

Mango Lassi

Mango & Yogurt Smoothie

Mango lassi is a mango and yogurt smoothie that is generally served at Indian restaurants in India and abroad. It is amazingly refreshing in the hot summer months. The addition of ginger powder gives the smoothie a special flavor and aids in the digestion of the mango. This beverage is delicious!

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup mango pulp (see Other Options below)
1 tub (4 oz.) Dannon Lite & Fit (45 calories) vanilla yogurt
   or 1 cup plain yogurt + 3 tsp. sugar, or to taste
1/2 cup milk or Land O Lakes fat-free half-and-half
1/8 tsp. ginger powder
1/8 tsp. cardamom powder

Directions:
Whip all ingredients together with an egg beater.
Sprinkle with cardamom powder.
Chill and serve within 24 hours.

Other Options:
Mango pulp is available in 30 oz. cans in Indian grocery stores. If it is not available where you live, it can be replaced with a ripe mango, peeled, deseeded, chopped & pureed. Extra sugar, may be required, according to taste.

Mango can be replaced with canned peaches or sweetened frozen strawberries.
It would be fun to experiment with other fruits.

The vanilla or plain yogurt can be replaced with vanilla ice cream.

This recipe was shared on:

Peach or Raspberry Bellinis

Each canister of Iced Tea contains 6 (1.6 oz.) tubs of iced tea mix.
This recipe makes two jugs of Bellinis, peach in one and raspberry in the other.

Serves: 16

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooling Time: 2 hours

Ingredients:

1 (1.6 oz.) tub Crystal Light Peach Iced Tea Mix

6 cups (48 oz.) water

2 cups (16 oz.) sugar-free Sierra Mist

1 (1.6 oz.) tub Crystal Light Raspberry Iced Tea Mix

6 cups (48 oz.) water

2 cups (16 oz.) sugar-free Sierra Mist

Directions:

1. In a jug, dissolve iced tea mix in water.
2. Refrigerate for two hours.
3. Add Sierra Mist and stir well.
4. Serve on the rocks.