Strawberry Lemonade and Ramadan

It is Ramadan and here in Spokane our fasts last 17 hours. And let me tell you, it's not the hunger that gets to you after a long tiring day..it is the thirst. So the first thing we gulp down is some form of sweet beverage..most commonly, lemonade. It is tradition to have plain lemonade but I encourage you to switch it up a bit. I saw this recipe on t.v. years ago and have been making it ever since. Whether you are fasting or just trying to cool off, strawberry lemonades will be a delightful addition to your repertoire.

Recipe adapted from Emeril Lagasse

2 cups water
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
2 cups cold sparkling water or club soda or plain water
Ice

In a medium saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil. Stir occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Add the lemon juice, stir, and remove from the heat. Let cool completely, then strain into a clean pitcher

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In a blender, puree the pint of strawberries and strain into the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir well to combine and refrigerate until well chilled.

Add the sparkling water and stir well. Pour over glasses filled with ice and serve. Garnished with slices of lemon, mint or strawberries.

Papaya Mint Lemonade

It's always fun to take a common everyday thing and to give it a little twist to turn it into something fabulous. I'm not much of a papaya fan but in my effort to add more fruit and vegetable to my diet I have recently started blending up fruit.

Things to know before buying a papaya:

Papaya is a member of the pawpaw family. 

It supplies a whole days worth of vitamin C among other things. 

Take care when buying them as they bruise easily. 

Try to buy one that is soft to touch but not mushy. If you do get an unripe one place it in a paper bag with a banana. The ethylene gas released by the banana will ripen the papaya after which it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

This recipe is one of those that was created out of necessity. I had a papaya that was going to go bad unless it was used up quick. So I made a papaya lemonade. I hope it gives you an idea on how to use up papayas, or melons that you might have lying around the house.

Recipe
3 cups of papaya
1 cup of lemon juice
1 cup of sugar (add more as needed)
4 1/2  cups of water
1/2 cup of mint
ice cubes (if desired)
Generally half of a large papaya peeled, seeded, and chopped makes 3 cups.

Add lemon juice, water, mint and sugar.

Blend and strain into a pitcher. I don't like lumpy drinks so I strain most everything. Don't strain it if you don't mind a chunk or two of papaya in the drink.

Chill for a few hours, pour into a glass, drink up and pat yourself on the back for adding more fruit to your diet.