Is this hot or what? Spicy, Tangy Imlaana.

The heat wave last week was painful. Even our poor old window air conditioner struggled to keep its cool. One of the days last week I remember I checked weather on A's iPhone, and we in Philadelphia, were hotter than our families back in Delhi. 

Between trying to keep my stiches from the surgery dry to prevent itching and  frequent demands of "can you make something cold to drink", I was just this close to losing it all. Which is when I was hit with a 3-way sword.

"Mommy, Anya finished off all the black juice", baby P wailed holding an empty Coke bottle.

"Can I just eat ice for dinner tonight?"; from Anya - forever looking to get out of having to eat..

"I have a headache from this heat- I think I'll lay down for a while. Do we have something cold to drink?" This was A.

That blew it- I am supposed to be the one on bed rest. Why is that so difficult for my family (read...A) to understand? And who gave that enormous bottle of soda to the girls? (A of course, when he nodded an absent-minded yes without listening to what the kids were saying). What am I supposed to concoct every 10 minutes to cool them off? (A especially; the girls can distract themselves with juice boxes. He come up with these ridiculous expectations that he'd get something new everytime he's feeling hot). 

After pacifying baby P with a cup of orange juice and cutting another 15min. of TV time for Anya for even suggesting a missed dinner, I confront A.

"Do you want lemonade or Jal Jeera? " No; too sweet- and too salty. 

"What then?"  Lassi or mattha?

"Out of yogurt- you didn't do groceries this week"

He made such a sorry face that if I'd looked in the mirror at that instant, I'd have seen Cinderella's evil stepmother instead of myself. So I dragged myself back in the kitchen to rack my brains and scout the pantry. That is where I found my inspiration, and my first ingredient. A trip down to the deck for the second, and I was all set to mke this refreshing Imlaana.

Imlaana

(Tamarind and Mint cooler)

Tamarind paste 1 Tbsp

Mint leaves a whole fistful

Sugar 1 cip

Water 2 cups

Salt & Red pepper powder (to taste)

1. Wash and chop/tear the mint leaves. In a big enough pan, bring water to boil with mint. Keep on boil till you can smell mint.
2. Then add the sugar.  Turn down heat and simmer on medium heat for 5-7 min.
3. Now add the tamarind pulp, keep on simmer for another 5 min. Add a little salt and a dash of pepper. Taste and check.
4. Allow to cool, strain through a tea strainer.
5. To serve, fill half the glass with crushed ice, and pour imlaana on top. Garnish with a mint sprig.

My two cents: My naani used to make imlaana with real imli (tamarind) pods. She'd soak and open the pods, get out that pulp and then go all the way. She sometimes paid the neighbour's little boy to pick these pods from trees that lined the local nehar (canal). She also said that every season's produce is it's own antidote. According to her, both tamarind and mint soothe the heat.

My mom used store-bought block of tamarind. You still had to soak the tamarind and seperate fibers and seeds from pulp. 

I can actually buy tamarind pulp in a little jar - that's progress !!  Judging by how much I love the taste and smell of mint, I'm glad I grow my own.

This is a great simple cooler for these hot months. When asked, A actually said that he had never tasted this drink before I made it for him. So I'm guessing that this is another of those hidden Rajasthani gems. It's got the trademark sweet and tangy going on with just a hint of spice. I love Imlaana, and so did A. Here's hoping that you enjoy it as well!

Linking this to Dish Name starts with I event hosted by Akila.