Ahhh, Lassi- a refreshing and cooling drink. Lassi can be enjoyed any time of the year. It is an ice-cold creamy drink made from milk, water, and yogurt. It is a perfect drink to escape the heat of the summer. Traditional Lassi has chunks of fresh cream on top of the glass. The cream is eaten with a spoon. Lassi is served sweet or lightly salty. Over the years, Lassi flavors have been enhanced by fresh fruit puree, herbs, and spices.
What’s the main ingredient of a Lassi drink? It is fresh yogurt.
I remember very well when my Papa would come home from a hard day’s work, tired and trying to escape the summer heat. My Ami would walk to the kitchen and gather the ingredients on the kitchen counter. Following her, my sister and I would gather a few glasses, ice, and spoons. Higher up in the cabinet would be a glass jug that Ami takes down and sets on the counter. “Grab the Dahi, Sunnie.” Dahi is translated to yogurt in Urdu, and Sunnie is my sister’s nickname. Ami places some cold water and a couple of big heaping scoops of yogurt into the jug. I hear a loud plop and watch as the yogurt splashes water from the jug onto the counter. “Wipe that down, Shumaila,” my Ami would say. I do so. She takes out a traditional wooden beater (also known as a whisk), and we watch her hands run back and forth, mixing the yogurt and water until they are well combined. She pours in milk, a pinch of salt, and mixes again. I watch her as she dips a spoon inside the jug and takes a taste. Perfect! She grabs ice cubes and fills the jug with them. She places the jug in a serving tray with the glasses, and we wait for my Papa to come from changing his clothes and to join us in the living room. She pours some Lassi for my Papa, my sister, and me in our glasses to enjoy on a hot summer day. Refreshing.
My Ami would tell me that Lassi cools down the body during hot days.
I hope you enjoyed my story and also enjoyed making your own LASSI Drink!
Ingredients:
Serves 2
Directions
Step One: Place water and yogurt in a jug and mix well using a whisk.
Step Two: Pour in milk and salt (a pinch or so) and whisk again.
Step Three: Add ice cubes and mix well.
Step Four: Pour into a glass and enjoy!
I placed some Lassi in a glass bottle for my husband to enjoy for lunch tomorrow.
****Lassi is also made sweet. If you would like to try to make sweet lassi, dissolve the sugar (½ tablespoon to 1 tablespoon with water first).
I actually prefer sweet Lassi. Traditionally, chunks of fresh cream/crème are also added and mixed with the milk. Try the recipe and share a photo of what you made with us at Pdbrownref[at]ccplonline[dot]org.
Check out Bookflix and flip through this informational book on how milk is made. Milk has many health benefits. Did you know calcium comes from milk, yogurt, and cheese? Cows are not the only source of milk. Other animals, such as goats and sheep, produce milk as well.
