Put Up Your Cukes!

Delicious and refreshing, you will not be able to get enough of this yummy drink. Perfect for a hot summer day when you need to cool off in front of the AC. Make sure to make a double batch.

Cucumber Limeade

from Everyday Foods

I cucumber, seeds removed and coarsely chopped (plus another for garnish)

1 1/2 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

juice of 1 lime

1/4 tsp coarse salt

1 cup ice cubes

Put ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Serve over ice, garnish with cucumber spears.

Better than Starbucks (and cheaper too)

Chai Tea

Cooking Light March 2007

Use this basic chai recipe as a starting point, then alter it to suit your preferences. You might add black peppercorns, vanilla bean seeds, star anise, bay leaves, or allspice, for instance. I used 1% milk instead of whole. Whatever you have in the fridge should taste fine. This would also taste really good iced for those hot summer days.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups water
7 cardamom pods, crushed
6 whole cloves
4 white peppercorns
1 (1/2-inch) piece peeled fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
1 cinnamon stick, broken
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon black tea leaves (such as Darjeeling or Assam)
1/4 cup honey

Preparation

Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Add milk and tea; simmer for 4 minutes (do not boil). Strain through a fine sieve into a small bowl; discard solids. Add honey to tea mixture, stirring until well blended.

2 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)