Fruit Salad

Apart from being lactose intolerant, one of my daughters has gluten sensitivity so I have to carefully plan what I make for her. A few days ago, we bought some fresh fruits from the super market and it had been in the fridge ever since. I hadn't touched them because we went out of town for a couple of days. Personally I'm not a dessert person but coming back to a fridge full of fruits, I decided to do a fruit salad. Fruit salad is a combination of different fruits chopped into pieces and with a squeeze of lemon juice served chilled or served with whipped cream or ice cream. I love to eat my bowl of fruit salad just as it is without any accompaniment. It's an ideal dessert for the summer. I had a couple of mangoes, kiwi fruits, pears, apples, plums, mandarins and a medium sized papaya.My daughter was full of smiles when she figured out that she could enjoy the bowl of fruit salad without any guilty feelings.

Instructions
Wash and peel whatever fruits you have in your refrigerator
Cut into small bite size pieces (best if it's cut into the same size)
Toss them into a glass bowl
Squeeze in juice of a lemon
Chill for 2-3 hours so that  the fruits get well blended with its own juices
Serve into individual dessert cups and enjoy

My daughter and I ate it without any guilt

A Refreshing Drink

With great reluctance, I will have to temporarily say farewell to this traditional drink that refreshed me during Iftar: the time of breaking my fast. This sweet drink is a kind of revitilizer that brings back my stamina during this month of Ramadan. Rooh Afza, as it is commonly known, is a juicy syrup which when diluted with water makes a great drink. It's original concentration is a mixture of seeds and raisins,like the khurfa seeds, Munaqqa and Kasni. Though I prepare this drink only during Ramadan, there are many others who relish this stimulating drink during the hot summers to quench their thirst.There are many ways to enjoy a glass of Rooh Afza. It could be enjoyed with just plain water, sugar and some crushed ice. A little lemon juice added would taste even better. My family loves it when I add some milk to it. 

Serving suggestions; 
To make a drink from Rooh Afza; add 3 table spoons of Rooh Afza to a glass of chilled water. Fresh lemon juice/crushed ice or milk can be added for extra flavour and add sugar according to taste.

My children enjoy it with a scoop of ice cream

A Special Day

As the day dawned, we all got excited especially our eldest, who was anticipating her class twelve board examination results that was soon to be released on the web.As usual the rest of the children got ready for school and I was busily preparing breakfast.After packing their bags, I saw them off to their school van .My husband too, left for office wishing her the best of luck. I made myself a hot cup of tea and was about to sip ,when I heard my daughter scream-a joyful scream I should say.She came running to me with her laptop and placed it in front of me.I was as hysterical as her, when I  saw her exam gradings .She had got through her Board Exams with flying colours.After hugs and embraces, she called her Dad who had just gone to office.He too was happy. After the initial  jubilation, she received endless wishes from family and friends.It was a happy moment  when my hubby, after office,  surprised the daughter with two of  her favourite things: chocolate  donuts and praline ice cream. What a special treat to celebrate the happy event.Yummy!!