Middle Eastern Yogurt Milk &
Russian Spiced Honey Drink

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to my friend Vicki Marrin for sharing this:

Signs That You're Drinking Too Much Coffee
 
- Juan Valdez names his donkey after you.
- You get a speeding ticket even when you're parked.
- You answer the door before people knock.
- You just completed another sweater and you don't know how to knit.
- You grind your coffee beans in your mouth.
- You can take a picture of yourself from ten feet away without using
the timer.
- Your eyes stay open when you sneeze.
- You go to AA meetings just for the free coffee.
- You walk twenty miles on the treadmill before realizing it's not
plugged in.
- You forget to unwrap candy bars before eating them.
- You go to sleep just so you can wake up and smell the coffee.
- You have a picture of your coffee mug on your coffee mug.
- You ride an exercise bike to work.
- You don't even wait for the water to boil anymore.
- You use coffee flavored mouthwash.
- You help your dog chase its tail.

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            TODAY'S RECIPES
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Unfortunately, here in the USA a drink has to be loaded with
sugar in order to be considered refreshing, but not everyone
thinks that way in other parts of the world. Here is a savory
dairy concoction that is popular in Turkey and throughout the
Middle East.

Middle Eastern Yogurt Milk (Ayran)

2 cups (500 ml) plain yogurt
1/2 - 2 cups (125-500 ml) water
Salt to taste
2 Tbs (30 ml) chopped mint leaves

Mix the yogurt with enough water (depending on the thickness
of the yogurt) to give it the consistency of milk. Stir in the salt
and mint and serve over ice. Serves 2 to 4.

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This drink has been popular in Russia for hundreds of years. It
is usually served without alcohol, but it's pretty good if you add
some cognac or vodka just before it is served.

Russian Spiced Honey Drink (Sbiten)

4 cups (1 L) water
1/2 cup (125 ml) honey
1/2 cup (250 ml) sugar
4 cardamom pods
2 cloves
2-3 slices fresh ginger
1 cinnamon stick
1 Tbs (15 ml) chopped mint leaves
1 tsp (5 ml) grated lemon zest

Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a simmer over moderate
heat. Remove from the heat and steep covered for 10 to 20 minutes.
Strain and reheat before serving. Serves 4.
Received on Fri Apr 6 07:36:02 2007