Dishing with Di-Anna: Agua Frescas

Horchata Recipe

Makes 12 cups

INGREDIENTES

• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 - 12 oz. can evaporated milk
• 1 - 12 oz. can condensed milk
• 8 cups of warm water divided
• Sugar to taste
• Ground cinnamon to garnish (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Wash and drain the rice. Place the rice, cinnamon sticks and 4 cups of water into a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight (preferably) or a minimum of 4 hours.

2. Once you're ready to blend the rice, remove most of the cinnamon sticks but it's okay to leave small pieces with the rice.

3. Blend the rice in two separate batches by adding 1/2 of the rice & water with some of the cinnamon stick left behind. Puree until it's very smooth and it forms a paste like texture. About 4 minutes long.

4. Using a very fine strainer (or some cheese cloth) pour the blended mixture over a pitcher. Strain out as much liquid as possible, pushing on the solids with a spatula or spoon.

5. Repeat this process for the rest of the rice, water & cinnamon mixture.

6. Stir in the milks, vanilla (0ptional), and 4 cups of water. Stir well.

7. Taste and add more sugar or water if needed.

8. Chill and stir before serving over ice.

9. Garnish with ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks (optional)

Cucumber Mint Lime Recipe

Makes 12 cups

INGREDIENTS

• 6 whole Cucumbers, Peeled And Chopped
• 36 whole Mint Leaves
• 3 whole Lime, Juiced
• 3 quarts Cold Water, Divided
• ⅜ cups Sugar, To Taste
• Extra Cucumber, Mint Leaves, And Lime Wedge, For Garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add the chopped cucumber, mint leaves, lime juice, and 2 cups of the water to a blender. Blend until mostly smooth. Allow mixture to rest for at least 5 minutes, and up to 30 minutes.

2. Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Combine the strained juice with the remaining 2 cups of water. Sweeten to taste.

3. Serve in a tall glass with ice, sliced cucumber, and mint leaves. Add a lime wedge to edge of glass.

Don Strange of Texas, Inc.
1551 Bandera Rd. San Antonio, TX 78228
DonStrange.com
(210) 434-2331