SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER RECIPES
With summer upon us and the weather finally taking a turn for the better after a long winter and spring, we can finally start looking forward and cooking those summer favourites again. Here at ShopSpicy we are experts in providing high quality Indian spices to those that want to add a little bit of extra flavour to their cooking.
In the summer months the barbecue's are inevitable and there really is no other way of cooking if you want maximum flavour and ease. In this blog we have put together a little mix of some of the best vegetarian ways to liven up a summer barbecue with an incredible menu.
The Appetiser
Non Alcoholic Sangrita
When summer comes round, the order of the day is light and refreshing and for your appetiser why not serve a great spiced drink known as Sangrita. Completely free from alcohol this incredibly refreshing drink is a great appetiser that is sure to leave you and your guests wanting more.
Recipe
2 cups tomato juice
1/4cup orange juice with pulp
4 teaspoons soy sauce
3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon grenadine
Salt, pinch
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Coarse ground pepper to taste
Method
1. As simple as can be, mix it all together and serve it ice cold as a wonderful palate tickler with a warming infusion of spice.
The Starter
Spiced cucumber salad
After that incredibly lively appetiser your guests and you will be ready for something to follow shortly after. This incredible cucumber salad is a dish that manages to couple the cool refreshment of cucumber with a dressing that gives it a real zing.
Recipe
1 large cucumber, peeled
1 tsp golden caster sugar
1 tbsp rice white wine vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
small knob of ginger, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
1 large red chilli, halved (deseed if you do not want it too spicy)
2 spring onions, finely sliced
large handful coriander leaves
Squeeze of lime juice
Method
De-seed the cucumber and slice it into thick chunks, then set aside on a chopping board.
In a large mixing bowl add all the other ingredients together and mix thoroughly.
Once all the ingredients are mixed add the cucumber and ensure that the dressing covers it.
Once it is ready this dish must be served immediately as the fresh taste may not last.
The dessert
Spiced apple sorbet
This light refreshing pudding is the perfect finish to the spicy barbecue evening and is sure to cool down a few mouths at the end of the evening. The fact that it is a sorbet rather than an ice cream means that it is not overly heavy.
Recipe
750g (1.6lbs) granny smith apples, unpeeled, cored, and quartered
juice of 1/2 a lemon
250ml (1 cup)water
375g (1.5 heaped cups)caster sugar
1 tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground star anise
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
¼ cup / 60ml maple syrup, divided
¼ tsp. sea salt
1 whole vanilla bean, seeds scraped
The method
Add everything to a large pan and bring to the boil, continue to boil until the apples are very soft and then remove from the heat.
Once the apples have cooled transfer them to a blender and blend until smooth, strain the mixture through a sieve to make sure it is completely smooth.
Chill the mixture in the fridge until it is thoroughly cooled then place it in an ice cream or sorbet maker until it is fully frozen.
Keep it in the freezer until around 10 minutes before you want to serve it as it will take a little time to soften.
And thats it!
So if you want a barbecue evening that doesn’t involve burnt burgers and sausages or you're veggie then follow this recipe for the perfect evening of spiced delights.
This menu is perfectly balanced and is tailored to those long sunny evenings that we will soon be seeing here in Britain.
If you are finding it hard to get your hands on any of the spices mentioned then feel free to contact us and our friendly and experienced staff will be happy to help.