A Life (Time) of Cooking

Reminiscing about Summer: Panaka, a recipe

May 11, 2010 · 25 Comments

Autumn in Adelaide

Autumn has come and nearly gone. A wonderful time of year here, yet this year I spent a good month of it in glorious London Springtime. (Thank you Volcano for the additional 11 days!).

I always find it quite eerie to travel when it is Spring in my destination, and everything is renewing and bursting into being and into flower, only to return home to Autumn and everything closing down, drooping, dropping and preparing for a sleepy winter. It does take some adjustment.

Spring in London

So to celebrate the onset of Summer in London and before I leap into a plethora of posts on cold weather soups, here is a lovely Summer Drink of Indian origin. Panaka is an Indian Limeaide, sweet, tangy and very refreshing. Enjoy! (Or save the recipe for your next summer day.)

By the way, the source of this recipe is a set of wonderful publications on Hindu Festivals, rites and food that has been put together by the Kauai Aadheenam for Western media and anyone who is interested. Panaka is associated with Rama Navami, the birthday of Rama. You can download the sheet for Rama Navami (including the Panaka recipe) and also see the other festival publications here.

Indian Limeade

Panaka, sweet Indian Limeaide

Source : inspired by Rama Navami
Cuisine: Indian
Prep time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 0 mins
Serves: 4 – 6 people, depending how you use it

ingredients
0.25 cup jaggery or brown sugar
4 cups water
juice of 1 medium sized lime
1.5 tspn grated fresh ginger
1 tspn ghee (use at room temp, or melt before using)
pinch cardamom powder

method
Mix all ingredients and serve cold. I recommend making a double batch.

The Drinks Series

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→ 25 CommentsCategories: 01 Jan Sth; July Nth · Hindu · Indian · Lemons · Teas, Drinks and other liquids · Vegetarian
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