Elder Flower Summer Drink

If I were a permanent resident of Dubai, I would grow myself humps like them camels to store water for those desperate thirsty moments one gets in that desert.

My best friend recently moved there and she invited me over to her über talented sister’s house at Business Bay on a very humid Thursday evening.

Hira Sohail is a full time mum of very artistic nature. I could tell that as soon as I entered her cozy apartment with a very casual, yet chic layout. Besides her ability to decorate the interior of her home with an adorable and “pinteresty” concept, she also developed a thirst-quenching concoction to beat the heat of Dubai.

Just as I was cribbing about the weather, I was presented with the Elder Flower Summer Drink that pretty much put a brake to my never-ending rant.

Beautifully presented in a mason jar mug, as you will see, this drink was one of the most refreshing ones I’ve ever had and was after her life to give me the recipe that she was extremely kind enough to share! Instead of begging and pleading someone to make me a perfect, non-bitter tasting Mint Lemonade, I can now make this super easy summer drink myself with Elder Flower cordial.

Courtesy: Google Images 

Disclaimer: The pictures below are not stock pictures, but also a talent of this supermom and the one I actually drank – so it’s definitely going to look like this when you make it.

Photo Credit: Hira Sohail

Without further ado, I present to you the ELDER FLOWER SUMMER DRINK

Ingredients:

2 tbsp Elder Flower Cordial

1 tsp   Honey (or more…if you prefer it like that)

250ml Perrier Sparkling Water (chilled)

A sprig of mint leaves

½ lemon

choice of fruits – Berries OR finely chopped apples/pears OR shaved cucumbers (This one had berries)

Photo Credit: Hira Sohail

Method:

Mix the Elder Flower cordial, honey, and Perrier together (make sure it’s right before you serve, otherwise the fizz dies out). Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice, and dunk in the berries and mint. Serve, like a boss.

Drink – like a sheikh!

Photo Credit: Hira Sohail

She scooped this up in 5-7 minutes to cater to my unannounced whiney visit, so I assume being slightly prepared should take about 3-5 minutes. Simple, fun, stimulating and easy! Try making this and share your results with us!

Instagram: @hangrywords

Email: hangrywords@gmail.com

Dear Pasta Lady.....

Home-based chefs, where have you been all my li(i-i-i-i)fe? No, seriously… Where were you?

We, “delhi walas”, have extremely stubborn taste buds and there’s no compromise when it comes to food, like being served ginger that is 1mm thicker than it’s supposed to be is no less than a sin. Oh, and we don’t believe other people’s reviews about food either because I mean, what do they know?

I have this extremely specific flavor for pastas stuck in my palate and even though Karachi is pretty good with Italian varieties, it lacks the knack of perfecting a Spaghetti Bolognese or Lasagna.

Unlike my usual self, today I decided to lift my egoistic, self imposed food standards and order from the most talked about “lasagna girl” in town. Yes, I jumped on the Maria Khan-Syed bandwagon.

 I was guilty of sending my car later than the time I had promised her, but she was sweet enough to give me heating instructions. I wasn’t too eager to taste the lasagna initially to be honest; I had bet it would be like the home/bakery mini “peezas” served at my first 11 birthdays!

My heart melted at the first look and okay fine, my mouth did water a bit (read: dog drool). I was able to cut a perfect square piece for myself without it slopping out of control and bit into my first, still doubtful, bite. Damn! This isn’t me being all Taylor Swift on food, but I think that piece of lasagna really was why I had waited all these years – totally writing a song about it. 

                               (For the first time, the actual thing was exactly as shown on the eatery's page)

The endless cheese oozed out from the layers every time I cut a bite out and every layer had a different flavorful story to tell. I’m not lying, this pasta lady really knows her way with the trickiest of flavors. I’m still staring at the leftovers wondering why my stomach won’t allow just ONE more bite. I’ve never appreciated minced chicken this much being a “gosht-khor”.  

These ladies are setting a trend - first Saniya’s Khao Suay and then this masterpiece of a lasagna by the Pasta Factory.

Splendid days beginneth.

Dat cheese tho.