La Cocina de Leslie: Agua Fresca

Showing posts with label Agua Fresca. Show all posts

Vibrant and refreshing agua fresca made with fresh papaya.

Papaya Agua Fresca - lacocinadeleslie.com

Fresh papayas are one of the fruits I like to always have on my kitchen counter. Not only are they flavorful, papayas are also packed with antioxidants, minerals, and vitamin C. Like most fruits, we love to eat papaya topped with Tajín (a chile-lime flavored seasoning salt) and fresh lime juice. But papaya also makes for an incredibly refreshing agua fresca perfect for helping you stay cool in the hot summer months.

Agua Fresca de Papaya - lacocinadeleslie.com

You should also know that the seeds of the papaya are totally edible. If you've never tried them, puree some of the seeds with the papaya to add a light peppery undertone to your agua fresca.

Yield: 8 servingsAuthor: Leslie Limón

Agua de Papaya recipe - lacocinadeleslie.com

Agua Fresca de Papaya

Vibrant and refreshing agua fresca made with fresh papaya.

prep time: 10 MINScook time: 2 hourstotal time: 2 hours and 10 mins

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups ripe papaya, cut into bite-size pieces
6 cups water, divided
1/3 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Ice

INSTRUCTIONS

Puree the ripe papaya with 3 cups of the water in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into a 2-quart pitcher. Add enough of the remaining water to fill pitcher. Sweeten agua fresca with granulated sugar to taste.
Refrigerate agua fresca at least 2 hours before serving. Serve over ice. Enjoy!

http://www.lacocinadeleslie.com/2017/07/papaya-agua-fresca.html

©La Cocina de Leslie

Created using The Recipes Generator

05 July 2017

Papaya Agua Fresca

Roasted unsalted peanuts are what give this horchata it's unique and refreshing flavor!

Horchata de Cacahuate - lacocinadeleslie.com

H is for Horchata de Cacahuate. Horchata is a traditional Mexican agua fresca made with rice. But there are also many versions of horchata made with other grains and ingredients like oats, dried cantaloupe seeds, and even roasted peanuts. Just be sure to use unsalted roasted peanuts. Raw and/or salted peanuts do not work for this recipe. If you like Mazapan (a traditional Mexican candy made with ground peanuts and cinnamon), you are going to love this Peanut Horchata (aka Agua de Cacahuate).

11 April 2017

Horchata de Cacahuate #AtoZrecipechallenge

Mexican chocolate, cinnamon and rice combine together in a rich, decadent twist on a classic agua fresca.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and keep cool this summer with an ice cold glass of Mexican Chocolate Horchata. Mexican chocolate isn't just for atoles, Champurrado, and mole sauces. It can be used in cookies, custards, as well as countless other desserts, and even in refreshing aguas frescas. Two of my favorites being Agua de Chocolate (made without milk) and this Horchata de Chocolate, which tastes like cinnamon chocolate milk in a fun agua fresca that is way more refreshing.

12 May 2016

Mexican Chocolate Horchata

Quench your thirst with this creamy agua fresca made with fresh mango and evaporated milk.

Because you can never have to many Agua Fresca recipes, and because anything mango is a sweet, warm weather treat... This Creamy Mango Colada Agua Fresca made with fresh mango and evaporated milk will delight your tastebuds.

06 April 2016

Creamy Mango Colada Agua Fresca

Wake up your taste buds with this refreshing Iced Coffee Agua Fresca!

Coffee Agua Fresca - lacocinadeleslie.com

After updating my Chile de Huevo recipe back in June for #ThrowbackThursday, I thought it would be fun to make it a monthly series to show a little love to some of my older blog posts. This month we're showing love to my Iced Coffee Agua Fresca.

I've been a coffee drinker for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl I liked waking up extra early with my grandparents because that meant one of them would make me a cup of Cafe con Leche to drink while they enjoyed their first cup of coffee of the day. Once I got a little older Gramm would make a simple Iced Coffee with instant coffee granules, water, milk, and sugar. Whenever she did, it was always a special treat that I absolutely loved.

06 August 2015

Iced Coffee Agua Fresca (Agua de Café) #ThrowbackThursday

Agua de Lima is a light and refreshing agua fresca made with sweet limes (citrus limetta).

Agua de Lima (Sweet Lime Agua Fresca) - lacocinadeleslie.com

Since moving to Mexico 15 years ago I have discovered (and fallen in love with) many new-to-me fruits native to Mexico like ciruelas amarillas (yellow plums), pitayas (fruit of the pipe organ cactus), and limas. Limas are by far my favorite. Here in Mexico limas are a variety of citrus limetta (AKA sweet lemon/lime). Sweet limes have the distinct flavor and aroma of a citrus fruit, but without the acidity and tartness. In it's place is a subtle sweetness, hence the name "sweet lime". Although their flavor is subtle at first, it lingers on your tastebuds and in the back of your throat leaving you with a sweet and refreshing taste in your mouth.

06 May 2015

Agua de Lima (Sweet Lime Agua Fresca)

Refreshing agua fresca made with freshly squeezed orange and lime juice, and sweetened with honey.

I think of a more delicious way to combat cold and flu season than with this refreshing Agua de Naranja. And it's a great way to take advantage of the abundance of oranges that are in season right now.

19 February 2015

Agua de Naranja (Orange Agua Fresca)

Last week when we got back from our annual Semana Santa camping trip, we came home with a ton of food because we ended up cutting our trip short by a whole day and a half. We brought home enough food that I didn't have to do my grocery shopping until the end of the week. Among the food we brought home that needed to be used up ASAP, were some very ripe mangos. Like too ripe to enjoy with salt, lime, and chile powder. So, we decided to make mango agua fresca.

It was a Sunday, so Hubby had time to lend me a hand in the kitchen. He peeled and cut the mangos, then pureed them in the blender with some water. All I had to do was add the sugar. But...when it came time to taste the agua fresca, I realized that one of the mangos was on the verge of spoiling. The good thing is that none of the mangos had actually spoiled. That would have been disastrous. To lighten that overly ripe mango taste, which can taste a little medicinal, I added a little fresh lime juice. (Lime juice is a great way to lighten strong flavors be it in an agua fresca or soup.) This resulted in a delicious and refreshing agua fresca, perfect for these it's-so-hot-it-feels-like-summer kind of days. My hubby loved this Mango Lime Agua Fresca so much he asked me to make it again for him this weekend, but with mangos that weren't so ripe.

29 April 2014

Mango Lime Agua Fresca

Agua (fresca) de Cuaresma - lacocinadeleslie.com

Cuaresma (Lent) is upon us! That means Meat-Free Fridays will be making a comeback to my Cocina during the next 40+ days. Some of the recipes I'll be sharing this year for Lent are...Tortitas de Camaron and Capirotada (Traditional Mexican Bread Pudding). But for this first Friday of Cuaresma, I'm going to share a traditional Agua Fresca recipe that is near and dear not only to my Hubby's heart, but also to the hearts of generations past of this fair pueblito we call home.

15 February 2013

Agua de Cuaresma

Agua de Frutas (Papaya, Guava & Apple Punch) - lacocinadeleslie.com

I have been wanting to share this recipe for a couple of weeks now, but with going back to teaching ESL and visiting with my sister-in-law and her family, who were here on vacation for three weeks, time kind of slipped away. But this Agua de Frutas is too good not to share. It's one of my favorite Agua Frescas to order at La Michoacana, our local ice cream shop.

03 August 2012

Agua de Frutas {Papaya, Guava & Apple Punch}

Have you ever made something to eat or drink, not because you loved it, but because someone you really care about loves it? Such has been the case with me and yesterday's mystery ingredient... Ciruelas Amarillas (Yellow Plums). My hubby is crazy about them, especially in Agua de Ciruela Amarilla, but for years, I wanted nothing to do with them or the agua fresca. (Gasp!)

Agua Fresca de Ciruela Amarilla (Yellow Plum Cooler) - lacocinadeleslie.com

12 June 2012

Agua de Ciruela Amarilla {Yellow Plum Cooler}

For this month's installment of She Made / Ella Hace, Heather (Girlichef) and I are cooking with Tamarind. Tamarindos are sweet and sour pod-like fruit used to make sauces, Ponche, and almibar (syrup) for Nieve Raspada. But the most popular use for Tamarindos here in Mexico is in Agua de Tamarindo. Can you believe that in the 3 years since I started this lil' blog, I have yet to post my recipe for Agua de Tamarindo? Unbelievable!

Agua de Tamarindo is the only Agua Fresca I remember drinking during our visits to Mexico when I was a little kid. As soon as we'd cross the border into Sonora, my grandpa would stop at the same tiny restaurant in el centro (downtown) for lunch. I don't remember what we ate, but I do remember the sweet and tangy Agua de Tamarindo. All these years later, Agua de Tamarindo is still one of my favorites.

Whenever I make Agua de Tamarindo, I have to buy double the amount of Tamarindo, because Hubby, the kiddies, and I all love to snack on it like candy.

28 March 2012

Agua de Tamarindo {She Made/Ella Hace}

I really wish I had taken time out from enjoying my tamales on El Dia de la Candelaria (Candlemas) and paid a little more attention to whether or not Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on Groundhog's Day. I don't think I can take much more of this cold, gray and rainy winter weather we've been having these past two weeks. I know two weeks of 40 degree temperatures and scattered rain showers isn't really cause for complaint, but this unseasonable weather really has this California girl craving for a little sunshine.

Since I can't control the weather and make the sunshine come to me, I had to make something that would remind me of warm, sunny weather. Enter Horchata de Coco! Whenever I drink this creamy, coconut agua fresca, I feel like I should be relaxing on a tropical beach somewhere, soaking in the sun, listening to the waves crash upon the sand. Throw in a couple of palm trees and a good book and all that's missing is a cute little umbrella in my drink to complete my summer fantasy. (Sigh!)

18 February 2012

Horchata de Coco {Coconut Horchata}

Aguas Frescas are a refreshing beverage traditionally served at lunch or dinner. But did you know that Aguas Frescas can also be served at breakfast? One of my favorite aguas frescas to serve with our morning meal is Agua de Guayaba (Guava). The distinct flavor of the guavas wakes you right up. And guavas are an excellent source of vitamic C. Talk about a great way to start the day!

Agua Fresca de Guayaba - lacocinadeleslie.com

18 July 2011

Agua de Guayaba (Guava Agua Fresca)

No need to adjust your computer screens. Today's recipe really is a Cucumber Limeade, also known as Agua de Pepino.

Now, I know that your all thinking that drinking a cucumber flavored beverage isn't something that appeals to you. I felt the same way when I first heard of Agua de Pepino. I remember thinking, "Cucumber water, really? That's just wrong!"

But once I tasted it, I was completely won over by the refreshing combination of the two flavors, that just seem to complement each other so well.

Agua de Pepino is my go-to beverage when the temperatures and humidity are soaring. I really hope you will give this recipe a try.

Agua de Pepino

Ingredients:

1 large cucumber, peeled and cut in large chunks
3 limes or 6 key limes, cut in half
1-1/3 cups sugar
Water
Ice

Directions:
Place the cucumber in a blender cup. Fill the blender cup with water.

Puree until smooth.

Strain the cucumber puree into a 4-quart pitcher.

Rinse out the blender cup, if desired. Place the lime halves in the blender cup. I was only able to find small limes, so I used 6 of them. But if you're lucky enough to find large limes, you'll only need three.

Fill the blender cup with water.

Now, with this next step, you HAVE to follow directions, so read the instructions carefully.

You're only going to pulse the blender for 3 to 4 seconds. (I've mentioned this trick before in my recipe for Easy Agua de Limon.) If you puree it too long, you'll end up grinding up the white part of the zest, which will result in a very bitter agua fresca. And we really don't want that to happen.

Strain the lime puree into the pitcher with the cucumber puree. Add enough water to the pitcher to fill it. Sweeten your Agua de Pepino with sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Before serving, wet the rim of your serving glasses with lime or lemon juice, then dip the rim in granulated sugar. (This step is completely optional, but doesn't it look pretty?)

Serve with or without ice and garnish with a lime or cucumber slice. Enjoy!!!

17 May 2011

Cucumber Limeade {Agua de Pepino}

The six years that Hubby and I lived together in the United States, we had one recurring argument.

It happened every year during Strawberry season.

As soon as Hubby bit into the first strawberry of the season he would always say, "The strawberries in Mexico are better."

"The strawberries in Mexico are bigger."

"The strawberries in Mexico are sweeter."

He felt the same way about peaches too.

I didn't recall ever eating a strawberry in Mexico, so I had no idea if he was right or not. But I felt it was my duty as a proud American to defend my country's strawberries.

"You don't know what you're talking about! The strawberries in the U.S. are sweet and delicious. And well, we all know that size doesn't matter."

It was the same exact argument every time we bought strawberries. It even became a running joke between one of my best friends from high school and me.

The first letter I received from my friend G, she asked me about the strawberries. It was almost winter, so there were no strawberries in sight. But I could not wait until Spring to find out once and for all, which strawberries were the best.

Hubby often argued that the strawberries in the U.S. weren't sweet at all and that he needed to sprinkle sugar on top to be able to eat them.

Well, imagine my surprise when I bit into my very first Mexican strawberry.

It wasn't anything like I expected. I'll give Hubby this, the strawberries were big. Very big. But they didn't have the sweet strawberry aroma that I was used to and they weren't sweet at all.

Hubby was the first to bring out the sugar bowl.

Now, I'm not saying that all of the strawberries in Mexico are awful. The state of Irapuato is famous for it's strawberries. I don't need to travel so far to find a good strawberry. There is a little ranch community not far from where I live that grows organic strawberries. They're not as big as the first strawberries I tasted, but they are deliciously sweet and smell absolutely delightful.

No matter where your strawberries are from, they are always delicious in a tall glass of Agua de Fresa.

Agua de Fresa

Ingredients:

1-1/2 pounds strawberries (stems removed)
12 to 15 cups water
1 to 1-1/2 cups sugar (depending on how sweet your strawberries are)

Directions:
Before you start, rinse the strawberries to remove any dirt. Remove the stems if you haven't done so already. Place the strawberries in a blender cup. Fill the blender cup with enough water to cover strawberries. Puree until smooth.

Strain strawberry puree into a 4-quart pitcher. Add enough water to fill the pitcher. Sweeten the Agua de Fresa with sugar. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with or without ice. Garnish the glass with a fresh strawberry. Enjoy!!!

Yields 4 quarts

Linking up with Gooseberry Patch Strawberry Recipe Round-Up

16 May 2011

The Great Strawberry Debate {Agua de Fresa}

Today I'm going to introduce you to an ingredient that I always keep on hand in my pantry.

So what is this mystery ingredient? Pinguica!

Pinguica is dried manzanita that has been ground into a fine powder. This powder is used to make a delicious Agua Fresca called Agua de Pinguica. Think of pinguica as being an all natural instant iced tea mix. That's exactly what I thought Agua de Pinguica tasted like the first time I tried it...Iced Tea.

I know pinguica is readily available here in Mexico, but I'm not sure if it's available in the U.S. Is it available where you live?

Agua de Pinguica

Ingredients:

2 heaping tablespoons pinguica powder
2 quarts water (8 cups)
2/3 to 1 cup sugar

Directions:
In a 2-quart pitcher, dissolve the 2 heaping tablespoons of pinguica powder in 8 cups of water. (A little pinguica powder goes a long way!)

Stir in the sugar, making sure that both the pinguica and sugar have dissolved.

Serve en las rocas (on the rocks). Enjoy!!!

02 May 2011

Mystery Ingredient: Pinguica {Agua de Pinguica}

Agua de Avena is hands down my absolute, all-time favorite agua fresca. I could drink the stuff every day and never get bored. And I'm not one of those people that likes to eat (or drink) the same thing day after day. But Agua de Avena is so good, I would gladly drink it every day for the rest of my life. Agua de Avena is very similar to Horchata, a traditional Mexican agua fresca made with rice and cinnamon, hence why some people refer to this agua fresca as Horchata de Avena. Agua de Avena is made with oats, cinnamon, and sweetened condensed milk. If you like Horchata, you are going to love Agua de Avena.

04 October 2010

Agua de Avena (Oat Horchata)

Nothing says summer to me like a big slice of watermelon. It's the quintessential summer snack. It's sweet, refreshing and absolutely delicious. Hubby and the kiddies love to eat it with salt, lime juice, and chile Tajin (a ground chile powder). I prefer mine plain, but sometimes I'll add a little salt to mine just to mix it up a bit. But sometimes the watermelons are so big that we can't finish it all in one serving, so I chop it up into large pieces and save in the fridge to use another day. One of my favorite ways to use up the leftover watermelon is in Agua de Sandía (watermelon agua fresca). There really is nothing sweeter and more refreshing on a hot summer day than a tall glass of Agua de Sandía.

Watermelon Agua Fresca - lacocinadeleslie.com

26 August 2010

Agua de Sandía (Watermelon Agua Fresca)

If you like Piña Coladas, then you're going to love Fresa Coladas. Slightly tart Agua de Fresa sweetened with creamy sweetened condensed milk. And if you're looking for a more adult version, add a shot of rum to each glass before serving. Yum, yum, yummmmm!

Fresa Colada

Ingredients: