Avocado milk shake

Any new country you go to, there is so much to discover. It opens up your mind in ways that is just not possible by not going to a new land. You see so many new places, new people, new foods and new ways in which people live their lives. Recently we went o Saudi Arabia. It was a very different country in ways I never knew. Other than the language barrier the visit was a pleasant one.
May be I would avoid going there in the middle of summer , or in the beginning or in the end of summer but I would like to visit Saudi Arabia again.
 The variety of food from various countries really surprised me. There were so many things I wanted to try but couldn't . If I ever visit it another time, I know what I would like to try.

One of the things which was a real surprise for me...were the variety of fruits and vegetables available in Saudi. Looks like they import a whole lot of fruits and vegetables from all over the world. The biggest surprise were the variety of drinks and milkshakes...obviously to keep cool and hydrated from the desert heat.

The one thing I would never imagine was Avocado milkshake

Mango, Guava, Avocado and Strawberry milkshake

Avocado milkshake 

Avocado Milkshake

Ingredients:

1. 1 ripe hash avocado
2. 2-3 cups milk or 2 cups milk 1 cup ice
3. 1 tablespoon each of honey and sugar (adjust to taste)

Blend all ingredients together into a smooth milkshake and enjoy

Green Goddess rice with Pearl Onion Chicken Stew

This Green Goddess rice recipe is from one of the food network programs "Five Ingredient fix". I really like some of the recipes she makes. And the first time I saw this recipe that day itself I made it and it became my favourite instantly. Its soooo creamy. The people you serve it to, will wonder what the source of the cream is :)
             To go with it, I made this curry or stew with pearl or baby onions and chicken. And together the combination is awesome. Do try

Green Goddess Rice (Rice with herbs and Avocado)

Green Goddess Rice

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups rice cooked (Total 4 cups after cooking)
2. 2 Avocados pitted and flesh taken out
3. 1/4 cup each of fresh cilantro, mint, freshly squeezed lemon juice
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. 1 green chilly (optional)

Cook the rice along with salt and set aside. Grind the rest of the ingredients into a smooth paste. Mix it into the rice and  serve hot


Pearl Onion Chicken Stew (Whole chicken cooked in spices along with baby onions)

Pearl Onion Chicken Stew/ Curry

Ingredients:

1. 1/2 chicken cut into 6-8 pieces
2. 12-14 baby or pearl onions peeled
3. 1 medium onion ground to paste
4. 1 large onion chopped fine
5. 1 teaspoon each of salt, chilly powder, ginger-garlic paste
6. 2 teaspoons coriander powder
7. 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, garam masala powder
8. 3 tablespoons oil

Boil 2 cups of water and boil the baby onion for 3-5 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a pan heat the oil and fry the onion paste till it starts changing color. Add the spices and tomatoes and stir to combine. Add the chicken and fry for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water cover and cook for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add baby onions and 1/2 cup more water and cook till chicken is totally cooked 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy with green goddess rice