Oman dining: Refreshing summer drinks

AVOCADO CHOCOLATE MILKSHAKE
Enjoy a creamy, rich shake while getting a serving of fibre rich avocado fruit.

Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
1 cup semi sweet chocolate (cut into bits)
3 tablespoons water
4 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 ripe avocado
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation
Pour milk into freezer safe container and freeze until half frozen, about 1 1/2 hours. While milk is freezing, place chocolate and water in microwave safe bowl and heat on high power until chocolate is melted, about 30 seconds. Whisk in cocoa until smooth; set aside. Halve and pit avocado. Scoop avocado flesh into blender. Add chocolate mixture, sugar, vanilla, and frozen milk. Blend until smooth, 15 to 30 seconds. Serve.

ROSE STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE
A thick, frothy milkshake with hints of rose and strawberry will please your tastebuds for good.

Ingredients
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons strawberry Nesquik powder
1-2 tablespoons condensed milk
2 tablespoons vanilla ice cream
1 teaspoon rose syrup
1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder

Preparation
Whisk together all the ingredients until well blended. Serve cold.

DRY FRUITS MILKSHAKE
A healthy and nutritious milkshake packed with richness of dry fruits. It is very easy to make, packed with nutrition, and delicious too. It is perfect for breakfast as it keeps you full for hours.

Ingredients
2 figs
4 dates
3 cashew nuts
A pinch of saffron
11/4 cup milk
3 almonds blanched
A pinch of cardamom powder
1 tablespoon sugar or honey or as required

Preparation
Chop figs and dates. Soak figs, dates, cashew nuts, saffron in 1/4 cup of hot milk for 15 - 20 minutes. Filter the dry fruits and saffron and reserve the milk. Add these soaked ingredients to a mixer jar, along with blanched almonds. Add a little milk at a time and grind it to a coarse paste. Add the rest of the chilled milk, sugar or honey, cardamom powder and blend again. Add more milk and blend once more if you want a thinner consistency. Pour it into a serving glass. Serve dry fruits milkshake chilled.

MANGO BANANA MILKSHAKE
Start your day with a flavourful mango banana milkshake. This drink can be had for breakfast, afternoon snack, or even as a dessert.

Ingredients
1 mango, pitted, peeled and diced
2 ripe bananas
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons honey
1 cup ice

Preparation
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more milk as necessary, depending on your desired consistency, and adjust sweetener to your taste. Serve.
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