Excellent Ingredient of the Week
Ice cubes — are they really an ingredient? They can be, and I think it's time! Why not make some creative ice cubes to flavor your beverages? Here are some great ideas:
Cucumber-Basil Puree Cubes
Combine 1 cup water, 1 cucumber (peeled and seeded), 1/4 cup torn basil, and some coarse salt in a blender and freeze in an ice-cube tray. Nice in tomato juice.
Orange-Lime
Combine 1 1/2 cups orange juice, 2 tablespoons lime juice, and 1 teaspoon lime zest in a bowl and freeze in an ice-cube tray. These would be great in lemonade.
Coffee or Herbal Tea
There is nothing worse than watery, cold coffee, which is what one gets when conventional ice cubes go into the glass. This task is easily accomplished by pouring your leftover morning coffee into ice cube trays. Once they're frozen, pop them into a freezer bag. Herbal ice tea with the addition of fresh mint will keep your tea fresh or give your sparkling water pizazz.
Passion Fruit and Cilantro
Mix juice with chopped fresh cilantro and freeze in an ice-cube tray. Serve with seltzer or a tequila drink of some kind — get creative!
Ginger and Honey
Mix equal parts water, honey, and grated ginger and freeze in an ice-cube tray. It works best with a vodka tonic.
