lime juice – a rented kitchen

It’s nearing the end of the semester, which means I’m getting really good at productive procrastination. Thus, I bring you another homemade recipe from my little rented kitchen, as opposed to my completed homework assignments. Gooooood.

Anyhow, this recipe has a little story behind it. You’ll be proud to know that I was at a coffee shop, studying like a good little student, when I tried the store’s homemade Ginger Ale. The drink was delicious, but expensive (no surprise there!). After finishing my expensive and petite store bought ginger ale, I became convinced that I could make my own version just as easily, save myself some money, and share this refreshing treat with friends! Win-win-win.

SO, no surprise to you all, but that’s exactly what I did. Story time over. It brewed, we drank, and all were happy.

I bring you my new favorite drink recipe- Homemade Ginger Ale. Sip up! Summer will be here before we know it!

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups chopped peeled ginger (7 ounces)
2 cups water
¾ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
About 1 quart chilled seltzer or club soda
~ 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
Optional variations: lemon juice, lemon slice, strawberry slices, frozen blackberries, peach slices

Directions:

In a small saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the chopped ginger and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer with the pot partially covered for 45 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and allow to steep, covered, for 20 minutes.
Once steeped, strain the liquid through a sieve into another bowl, pressing on the ginger the get all the liquid out. Discard the ginger.
Return the liquid to the saucepan and add the sugar and a pinch of salt. Heat the liquid over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is fully dissolved.
Chill the syrup in a covered jar until cold.
To assemble the drinks: Combine ¼ cup ginger concentrate with ¾ cup seltzer water and 1 ½ teaspoons lime juice. Adjust flavors as desired by adding additional ingredients.

To spice up your drink even more, add one or a combination of the following fruits, starting with a base of ginger concentrate, seltzer water, and either lime or lemon juice.

Frozen blackberries
Chopped strawberries
Lemon/lime slices
Peach slices
Any combination of the above

Notes and Tips!:

Source: Epicurious
Have fun adding your favorite alcohol or fruits to this recipe! The variations make this drink extra versatile and crowd-pleasing!
Like this recipe? Try these other treats from ‘A Rented Kitchen!’ (Recipe links found below pictures):

Blueberry Mint Lemonade

Flavored Ice Cubes

Blueberry Vanilla Smoothie

It’s amazing how, when life gets busy, one can manage to eat, but not really eat a full meal. As a senior in my last semester of college, I have become remarkably good at ‘food on the run.’ Disgustingly good, actually. You know the drill- the protein drinks, granola bar, or fast food thing routine you have going on. I personally, am a fan of the clif bar for lunch and a handful of chips on the way out the door routine. Not exactly my best effort.

After a while, this on-the-run meal plan is bound to become draining. I unfortunately, can vouch for that. Sometimes you just need to slow down, enjoy a meal at the table, share it with someone you love, and absorb some nutritious and delicious food! That, my friends, is the beauty of cooking. Cooking a full meal, forces you to slow down. You cannot make water boil any faster than it’s already doing.

This meal was the forced result of a very busy semester. I found myself craving a warm and hearty meal that I could enjoy all week long, that would satisfy my taste buds, and give me a minute to slow down. The result- one very happy tummy, three envious roommates, and a recipe worth sharing!

Therefore, without further ado, I give you the Thai Veggie Burger with Peanut Sauce. Dig in people! The time is now!

Burger Ingredients:

½ cup uncooked quinoa
2 tsp. olive oil, divided, plus more for pan
1 cup water or veggie broth
1 (15 oz) can chickpeas (or 1½ cup cooked chickpeas)
¾ cup old fashioned oats
½ cup yellow cornmeal
1 tsp. kosher salt
¼ tsp. smoked paprika
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 large egg
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup diced red onion

Slaw Ingredients:

1/4 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
½ cup thinly sliced green cabbage
½ cup shredded carrot
¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro

Peanut Sauce Ingredients:

¼ cup creamy peanut butter
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. grated fresh ginger
½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp. water

Toasted burger buns
Coarsely chopped peanuts

Directions:

In a fine mesh strainer, rinse the quinoa. Shake as much water as possible, and set aside.
Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the drained quinoa to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until lightly roasted.
Add the water or vegetable broth to the quinoa, bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork when done and set aside to cool for five minutes.
Meanwhile, while the quinoa is cooking, combine the chickpeas, oats, cornmeal, salt, paprika, garlic, and sesame oil in the food process, and blend until finely ground. Once mixed, add the egg, and blend until evenly moist.
Transfer the chickpea mixture to a large bowl and fold in the quinoa, pepper, onion, and additional 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Using your hands, form 6-8 patties, depending on your size preference.
To cook the patties, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side. Once lightly browned and cooked through, remove and serve!
To make the slaw, toss the cabbage, carrot, and cilantro together in a bowl.
To make the sauce, whisk together the sauce ingredients in a liquid measuring cup until smooth.
Assemble the burgers by lightly toasting the buns, then topping each patty with a handful of slaw, a drizzle of peanut sauce, and a squeeze of lime juice and/or chopped peanuts as desired!

Notes and Tips:

Yield: 6-8 servings
To make gluten free, make sure you are using guten free oats and a burger bun! Enjoy!
Source: Annie’s Eats
If you like this recipe, check out these other delicious eats from ‘A Rented Kitchen’ (Recipe links found below photos):