Summer hacks
Ah, the sun beats down on our backs and the demand for something cool has become high. Never fear, Ober Khok is here to give you summer hacks to fight the heat of the sun.
“Uncle, you’re so old school!” my selfie-generation niece Krystalle told me.
“Old school? Just because I don’t do IG postings? Just because I still do things around the kitchen the way your grandaunt Tita Blitte did when she was young? Old school? My pride is offended,” I told her tongue in cheek.
Krystalle laughed. “Just teasing you, Uncle O. I’m with you FR. You’re quite cool, as your generation would say it. Lola Blitte is my lodi, you know, when it comes to fortitude and food.”
“Uh, FR is for real?” She smiled and told me I was right.
“What summer hacks do you have here, Uncle?” Ellen, my other niece asked.
“The struggle is real, girls. As you know, I’m not an expert ice cream maker or maker of summer coolers but I can try.”
TT or the truth is that the family has spent many summers in the porch to enjoy the summer breeze. We decorate the porch with buntings and potted flowering plants. And spend time with one another over something icy.
■ MUSH! Fill the bottom of a tall glass with cubed fruit of your choice. Fill with shaved ice. Pour lemon flavored or clear cola over this. Enjoy!
■ BRAINFREEZE. Over- night freeze chocolate drinks in the freezer. Any brand will do. Next day, pour chocolate sauce at the bottom of an ice cream bowl. You can also use strawberry sauce or use your favorite jam. Scoop out the frozen chocolate drink over the sauce and serve with choco water or cookie.
■ FRUITEA. Half-freeze fruit flavored tea, then fold in cubed watermelon or mango balls. Place in decorative, individual servers. Return to the freezer just to set the tea.
■ DIYICECREAM.
Vanilla ice cream is good in itself but you can raise its appeal by folding in crushed choco cookies or fruit of your choice or your favorite syrup. Make this a summer project if there are children in the house.
“Let’s do it, Uncle,” my young nephew Pannon said. I felt I had the best seal of approval for the year.