Mango Lassi

 Lassi can be referred to as an ‘ancient smoothie’ and indeed the first yogurt smoothie in the world. The concept originated somewhere around 1000 BC and began either with fine fruits or pure spices.

 

Yogurt is blended with water; having additives like fruits, spices, jaggery or sweeteners. The major variants of Lassi are sweet or salted.

However, there are many new flavours introduced in this drink to give an amazing twist to the traditional yoghurt based drink.

It is a great refreshment that can be taken with breakfast or lunch.

 

The history of the drink is not well known.  It apparently originated long ago in the Punjab region, where milk has always been an important staple drink.

''In the old days, when there were no refrigerators, the Punjabi farmer used to drink milk cooled in a clay pot and mixed with curd and sugar and stirred by a wooden stick.''

 Addition of fruits makes the original Lassi more tasty and chic and then it falls into the category of Smoothies. Today, I made Mango lassi/smoothie which was very refreshing.

Ingredients:

1. Pulp of 2 Mangoes (for 2 glasses of smoothie)
   • Milk-1/4 cup
   • Yogurt-1 cup
   • Cold water-1/2 cup
   • Ice cubes
   • Saffron-3-4 threads
   • Fresh turmeric-1/2" stick or turmeric powder..1/4 tsp.
   • Sugar or honey- according to taste

   Procedure:

   • In a blender, add all the ingredients and blend till smooth.
     P.S.    I first blend the pulp with sugar and milk and then add all the ingredients.
      
     You can skip turmeric and saffron both and still get a very tasty Lassi/smoothie.
      
     I added turmeric as it is very healthy and has no taste of its own, plus gives a vibrant color to rather pale lassi.