Lassi Delights

Lassi is a traditional South Asian beverage originating in the Punjab region of Northern India that is made by blending yogurt with water, salt, and spices until frothy.

Yogurt sweetened with honey is used in rituals. Traditional lassi is sometimes flavored with ground roasted cumin. Sometimes a little milk is used and is topped with a thin layer of malai, a clotted cream.

A tangy sweet-sour concoction and it is drunk year round, but is most popular during the torment of summer. Lassi beverages are often served chilled during periods of hot weather.

A more recent evolution of lassi drinks is the sweet lassi. Flavored with sugar, rosewater, mango, strawberry or other fruits, sweet lassi drinks have become particularly popular in Indian cuisine restaurants throughout the world. These tasty drinks are also usually topped with chopped maraschino cherries, cashews, and fresh shredded coconut.

Here is a recipe of the Mango Lassi:

Ingredients:

# 1 cup plain yogurt
# 1/4 cup milk
# 1/4 cup water
# 1/2 cup mango pulp (fresh or canned)
# 1 cup crushed ice
# 3 table spoons sugar or honey
# 25 gm ground pistachios (optional)
# A dash of ground cardamom (optional)
# 3-4 mint leaves (optional)


Method:

1. To make the mango pulp at home select mangoes those are so ripe that the skins look a bit wrinkled. Squeeze the mango by rolling it gently but thoroughly between your hands. Cut off the tip where the fruit comes to a point. With firm and steady pressure squeeze the juice into a mixing bowl. Some juice can be extracted from the pit but do not allow any fiber.

2. In a pitcher or blender, combine the yogurt, milk, water, mango pulp, sugar and cardamom.

3. Whisk briskly until completely mixed. Serve in tall glasses that are filled with crushed or broken ice pieces.

4. Sprinkle the ground pistachios and a little cardamom over the top. Serve chilled.

Here is a recipe of the Sweet Lassi:

Ingredients:

# 1 cup of yogurt or combination of half yogurt and half buttermilk
# 1/2 a cup of water
# 1/2 cup of ice cubes
# 3-5 tsp of sugar or your choice of sweetener to taste
# Pinch of salt
# Few drops of edible rose water (optional)
# Dollop of plain yogurt for garnishing


Method:

1. Beat/churn the yogurt or buttermilk-and-yogurt mixture with the water.

2. Add the sweetener till it becomes smooth (till it is frothy).

3. Pour in tall glasses filled with crushed or broken pieces of ice. Add a few drops of optional rose water and stir before serving. Add a dollop of fresh yogurt on top. Serve chilled.

Here is a recipe of the Salty Lassi:

Ingredients:

# 1 tsp cumin powder
# 1 cup plain yogurt or combination of half yogurt and half buttermilk
# 1 cup chilled milk
# 2 tsp lemon juice
# 1/2 to 1 tsp salt
# 1/2 cup of ice cubes
# Dollop of plain yogurt for garnishing


Method:

1. Combine the yogurt or yogurt-and-buttermilk with water in the blender.

2. Add a bit of cumin powder and salt. Serve in tall glasses that are filled with crushed or broken ice pieces. Top it up with a dollop of yogurt. Serve chilled.

Lassi is an ancient drink that is quick and inexpensive. Indian summers are never complete without the regular dose of different lassis available here.

. . .