Strawberry Pomegranate Limeade And A Giveaway

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**PLEASE NOTICE THAT THE DEALINE FOR THE COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE 27TH OF JULY. GET THE REQUIREMENTS TO PARTICIPATE BELOW**

The other day when I was photographing my Chocolate Agar Agar I made a flavored drink to go along with the dessert. Since the Agar Agar was sweet I wanted the drink to compliment and not add more sweetness to my mouth. Though water is my number one drink preference sometimes you want a little more flavoring. Fruit it the best way of giving water a little flavor splash, not to mention the healthiest option. Basically all I did was crush pomegranate seeds into the water. It worked great because there was a sweet tartness flavor in the water along with a pretty pink hue.

After cleaning up I began munching on the pomegranate and strawberries that were used to decorate the table on the Chocolate Agar Agar photos. They tasted great together! I also wrapped them in the mint leaves and noticed another burst of flavors. So great in fact that I knew I had to make something with them. It's been very nice and warm here so the first thing that came to mind was a limeade to cool off with. There really is no recipe other than blending the fruits, juice and sweetened to taste. So simple in fact that you have no excuse to try it. Don't forget all of the vitamins and health benefits of choosing a drink like this over a caloric softdrink. Plus if you have children this is a great way of getting more fruits into them.

Strawberry Pomegranate Limeade :

fresh ripe strawberries, stem removed

pomegranate seeds

lime(s), juiced

fresh mint leaves

honey or brown sugar to sweeten, optional

blender and fine sieve

large pitcher and ice cubes

1. Place the fruit, lime juice, and mint leaves in a blender. Add some water and process until fruit is completely broken down. Taste and add sweetener according to taste. Process in blender again. Strain through the fine sieve and discard the leftover pulp. Pour into a pitcher with ice cubes and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. Serve with ice cubes and decorate with fruit if you like.

* TIP* You may need to strain it twice so that yours doesn't collect the extra fruit pulp like mine did. That is what you see in the photos.

**PHOTOGRAPHY TIP** If it is really hot outside make sure the limeade has cooled in the refrigerator long enough. Even though my limeade was cool, it was still so hot outside that the ice cubes melted very fast. Picture wise glasses with fresh ice cubes will look best. Also you can either wipe the moister off the glasses or leave if you like, I choose to give mine off. **

Now for the giveaway. To celebrate my 2nd blogoversary I am giving away a copy of my cookbook, An Epiphany of The Senses, to one lucky winner. This is going to be a contest type giveaway. The contest will work like so,

- Open to everyone, will ship worldwide.

- Cook a "Spicie" recipe and post it on your blog. Any type of recipe be it a dessert, drink, main dish, vegetable... you get the point. What I mean by "Spicie" is a new recipe that is either spicy to you OR a new recipe using your favorite spices as the main flavoring for the recipe. (Use several, or a few not just one. Have fun and be creative, perhaps cook something outside of your comfort zone.)

- The contest will run from today July 12th to July 27th, Your recipe must be posted on your blog during that time.

- Send me an email to spiciefoodie (@) gmail.com with your name and a link to the new recipe on your blog.

- On July 22th I will post a roundup of all the giveaway participants and choose a winner.

- In addition to winning a copy of my cookbook the winner's recipe will also be featured here on Spicie Foodie.

- All recipes will be judged on originality and how hungry they make me feel.

Ready, Set, Start cooking! Remember to have fun and be creative. Good luck and I can't wait to see your recipes. Leave a comment saying you want to participate so I can expect your recipe.