Cucumber Zucchini Agua Fresca Food

CUCUMBER ZUCCHINI AGUA FRESCA RECIPE:

Steps:

• Make Simple Syrup (see recipe below).
• In a blender or juicer, place equal parts cubed cucumber and zucchini. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon (be sure to remove the seeds), and 2 to 3 cups of water. Use only enough water in the blender to liquefy the vegetables.
• Strain the cucumber/zucchini liquid through a fine sieve or strainer into your pitcher. Save the cucumber/zucchini pulp and add a little sweetener to maker a wonderful treat that has an applesauce consistency! So good.
• Add the remaining water to your pitcher with the strained liquid and mix well. Add the granulated sugar, simple syrup, or sugar substitution of your choice. Also add additional water if needed.
• Chill in the refrigerator for several hours before serving. Serve over ice.
• What is Simple Syrup? It is just sugar and water boiled together. This liquid substance has all the same sweetness of granulated sugar. It is the secret ingredient to the best cold homemade beverages, cocktails, and other drink recipes. It is so much easier to swirl in a prepared translucent liquid than it is to add sugar directly, because the granules do not need to dissolve. Ratio of 2 parts water to 1 part sugar.
• To learn more about Simple Syrup, check out Simple Syrup - How To Make Simple Syrup.
• In a high-sided saucepan over medium-high heat, bring cold water and sugar to a boil. Turn the heat to low and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Remember - the longer you boil it, the thicker the syrup will be when cooled.
• To test if the sugar is completely dissolved: Using spoon, scoop up a small amount of the syrup. You should not be able to see any sugars crystals in the liquid. If you do, boil a little longer.
• Remove from heat and let cool before using. This syrup mixture will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.

AGUA DE PEPINO (CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA)

Steps:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Serve agua fresca over ice.

CUCUMBER LIME MINT AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Add ice: Fill a large pitcher halfway with ice cubes. Add the juice. Serve with sprigs of mint and slices of lime.

CUCUMBER-LIME AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Puree 2 cups chopped peeled cucumbers, the juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons agave syrup, 1/2 cup mint and 1 cup water in a blender. Chill 30 minutes, then strain, pressing on the solids. Divide among ice-filled glasses. Top with cucumber and lime slices.

CUCUMBER-BASIL AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Slice a few thin slices of cucumber; reserve for garnish. Peel and coarsely chop remaining cucumber.
• Purée chopped cucumber, lime juice, basil, 1/4 cup sugar, and 2 cups water in a food processor until very smooth. Strain into a pitcher and add 2 cups water, adding more sugar or water if needed, then chill until ready to serve. Add reserved cucumber slices just before serving.

CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA WITH MINT AND GINGER

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the mint leaves, sugar and salt, and crush them all together using a fork or the back of a wooden spoon just until the mint is bruised. Pour in the hot water, and stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Allow the mixture to steep for 5 minutes while you prepare the cucumbers.
• Combine the cucumbers and ginger in a blender. Zest the lime right over the blender, then halve it and squeeze in its juice. Pour in 1 cup room-temperature water and purée on high until smooth. Pour the purée through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing lightly on the solids with a spatula to extract the liquid. Discard the solids and pour the agua fresca into a medium pitcher.
• Pour the mint syrup through the same strainer into a container, pressing on the leaves to extract the liquid. Add ¼ cup strained syrup to the agua fresca. Taste and add more syrup or more lime juice to taste. Cover any leftover syrup and refrigerate for another use.
• Fill glasses with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with mint and serve immediately.

CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Puree the cucumber in a blender in as many batches as you need, then pour into a large bowl.
• Add the rest of the ingredients, then pour into a colander layered with three thicknesses of cheesecloth to strain out the solids.
• Taste the strained juice and add a small amount of salt, to taste.
• Serve over Ice!

WATERMELON-CUCUMBER AGUA FRESCA

Steps:

• Place watermelon and 1 1/2 cups water in a blender, and process at high speed until combined, about 1 minute. Add cucumber, lime juice, and sugar; blend until smooth. Pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer and using a spatula, press to remove the pulp. Don't skip this step, it's important.
• Pour the strained mixture into a large pitcher, add remaining 1 cup water, and stir well. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or longer.
• Sprinkle some Tajin® (chili lime seasoning) onto a small plate. Run the lime wedge around the top of the glass, invert the glass, and dip the rim into the seasoning.
• Fill the glass with ice, pour in the agua fresca, garnish with watermelon slices or wedges, and lime slices.