Cucumber Soup

Hot, hot!! Sizzling summer is here in Raleigh this year. The first thing comes to our mind is fun time with all the outdoor activities. After being held ourselves with indoor activities for months, now it’s the time to come out and bask in the warm sunshine :)

There are tons of activities that we can enjoy through out the summer. Swimming in beaches, rivers, and pools. Something adventures like hiking, cycling, ski diving. And also we can relax by fishing, boating and excursion. For all those who are fitness freak can enjoy morning jog or walk.

Hmmm what else? How can we miss blooming and colorful flowers everywhere! The last but not the least eating or drinking something that keeps you cool all the time…. Ice creams, cold drinks, juices and fruits.

We had a great vacation for long weekend. My brother was here from India and we did lot of cool stuff like ski diving, boating, hiking, travelling. New York was fun trip. Even though it felt like we were in a cauldron as soon as we got outside the hotel, we still went round in the baking sun and enjoyed New York City. The best part that took over the morning heat was the nightlife at Times Square. It was just awesome!!

One thing I love in summer is that I can wear my cool flip-flops and walk around without a shoe bite ;) The only worse part of summer that I hate the most is tanned skin and sweaty bodies.

I also found one simple, cool, soothing and healthy recipe, which suited perfectly for this summer. Yes you all guessed it right. Cucumber Soup….mmmmmm yummy.

This soup is again from one of my favorite restaurant in DC and this time waiter was kind enough to share the recipe with me. I was delighted and tried it as soon as I got back home.

As per the menu Soup is known as “ Ashe Mast Va Khiar”

Ingredients:

4 finely chopped Persian cucumbers (mini cucumbers)

1/4 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 cup Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon yellow raisin

1 clove garlic

1 red spring onion slice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon chopped cucumber to garnish

Few Breadcrumbs

-Blend cucumbers, garlic, vinegar, and onion slice in a food processor or blender.

-Add yogurt and salt and blend till smooth.

Serve it cold by garnishing yellow raisin, chopped cucumber and breadcrumbs.

I love Sunset

Its been a week since I blogged, I thought I would come back from the long weekend and have some interesting stuff to write. But today I was so happy to speak to one of my friend and I have to share what he thought about my painting. He apparently thought I would paint like a kid who draws hill, a sun, a river and coconut tree and color it with crayons. After he saw my painting in the blog he said, “ my painting was awesome and not like the one he imagined." :)

I wanted to draw and paint right from my childhood. Like my friend imagined my first sketching was exactly the same. Today I have put some of my sketching as kid, probably my kids would appreciate it. :)

All this while I didn’t know how to get expertise with painting. But now I am trying my best to learn and be good at it.

I always loved sunset. Especially I love painting sky with all the vibrant colors.This is typical North Carolina Sunset. After a long drive we were heading back home and I could see all the splendid colors in the sky. I wish I had my painting kit with me. Well, I came home and tried to visualize the same and put it on my canvas.

Here you go with another sunset….