Avocado Mint Lassi

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP

THEME: #239 COOL LASSI

The FoodeiMonday/Bloghop theme lassi was suggested by me and I decided to use Avocado and mint to make a creamy, cooling and filling lassi. The market is flooded with avocados and its best to enjoy them while we can.

What is Lassi?

Pronounced as lassi (la as in laugh) and not lessi as Lassie the dog famous from the movie Lassie Comes Home. Lassi is a yogurt based drink which can be sweet or with salt. It usually is thick like a smoothie and very filling. This yogurt based drink from the Indian Sub Continent is best enjoyed during the hot summer season.

What is the difference between Lassi, Chaas and Buttermilk?

Lassi – as I mentioned basic lassi is a thick and creamy yogurt based drink usually made from plain yogurt, a bit of milk or water.

Chaas – is thinner or more watery version of basic lassi. Most popular ones are namkeen ones  with salt and may have fresh herbs like mint, coriander, curry leaves added to it.

Buttermilk – Buttermilk is actually the liquid left after churning butter from cream. An acidic agent like a bit of yogurt is mixed with cream and allowed to rest overnight. Next day ice cubes are added and churned to separate the butter from the liquid. I remember drinking this buttermilk whenever I use to visit both my paternal and maternal villages in India before going to boarding school.

Types of Lassi

There are so many variations of Lassi one can make, sweet or with salt, with fruits or vegetables, with herbs and spices. The options are endless. Check out what type of lassi you can make to beat the heat or to enjoy as a  healthy and filling small meal. Trust me one tall glass is very filling. They are what we could call smoothies but yogurt based.

Here are some suggestions as to what type of lassi you can make:

With Fruits:

Mango – Mango and Yogurt Smoothie, or try Lathiya’s Mango Lime Lassi

Orange – Sujata loves to add fresh orange juice to her Mint Orange Lassi.

Strawberry – Try Uma’s Vegan Strawberry Lassi where she uses coconut milk yogurt or may want to try Priya’s Rose and Strawberry Lassi.

Avocado – While the avocado lassi that I’ve made is a namkeen one (with salt), Seema loves to make a sweet version by adding honey to her Butter Fruit/ Avocado Lassi. Renu on the other hand loves to add kewra essence for an exotic flavour to her Indian Style Avocado Lassi.

Do you love raspberries like I do? Then try out Waagmi’s awesome Raspberry Lassi.

Would you think of using kiwi to make lassi? No? Well, then you’ve got to check out Swaty’s namkeen Kiwi Masala Lassi. 

Banana – have fussy kids who don’t like to eat banana? Try giving them Narmadha’s Banana Lassi. They just may love it.

With Nuts and Floral Flavour – Ruchi makes a delicious and colourful  Rose Lassi where she uses rose syrup, gulkand (rose jam) and tops it with nuts.

With Coffee and Cocoa – Doesn’t  Creamy Mocha Lassi made by Vanitha sound really interesting? As for me I’m surely going to try it. Just need to remember to buy good quality cocoa when I go shopping next.

With Banana, nuts, dried fruits and seeds – That sounds like a lot of ingredients but trust me its a filling lassi. Preethi loves to make Dry Fruits and Nuts Lassi for her boys.

Want to make a variation of 3 different types of lassi using fruits, dry fruits and chocolate and nuts? Then try out Aruna’s Dry Fruit Lassi.

Bael – Sasmita makes an unusual flavored Bael Lassi. What is bael? It known as  Wood Apple or Bengal Quince in English.

Namkeen or With Salt Lassi – Geetha loves to add roasted cumin, fresh ginger and mint to her Masala Lassi. Archana makes an awesome namkeen lassi with beetroot.

Did you know you can make a superb lassi with cucumber? No? Then you’ve got to check out how Jayashree makes Cucumber Lassi. Preethi likes to add pepper and coriander to the Cucumber and Coriander Lassi she makes.

To round off, if nothing has caught your fancy as yet, then I am sure you’re going to love Sasmita’s Chocolate Lassi.

FoodieMonday/Bloghop

FoodieMonday/Bloghop is a group of 13 bloggers who share recipes based on a theme suggested by the members of the group. We do this every Monday. So make sure you check in on my blog every Monday for a new recipe.

Why you should include Lassi in your diet?

If the variety of lassis mentioned above are not tempting enough, then here are some reasons why you should have it, sweet or namkeen (with salt), your choice:

• Good for digestion as the lactobacillus bacteria present in the yogurt lubricates the walls of the small intestine, helps to break down food.
• Prevents acidity and heartburns. No wonder a glass of lassi is usually served with a spicy curry.
• Prevents Bloating of the Stomach – the good bacteria helps to keep away bad bacteria .
• Probiotics in the yogurt helps to control bad cholesterol.
• Lactic acid present in yogurt keeps the skin texture healthy.
• Yogurt is a rich source of calcium.
• Rich in Vitamin D and lactic acid, drinking lassi regularly helps to boost the immune system.
• Healthy and filling so makes it an ideal drink for those who want to control their weight.
•  If made with fruits, herbs, vegetables etc, then that gives an added boost in vitamins and minerals.
• Yogurt is a rich source of protein.

Basic Ingredients for Lassi

• Yogurt – plain is the preferred one but you can use any flavored yogurt.
• Water or Milk – depending on the type of lassi you make. Generally for namkeen ones water is used and for the sweet ones milk is added.
• Sweetener – Depends on what you like to use for the sweet lassi. Can use sugar, honey, jaggery, maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia and any sweetener of your choice.
• Salt for the namkeen one – use salt of your choice. I prefer to use Himalayan Rock Salt.
• Spices of your choice – like cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg etc.
• Herbs – like mint, coriander, curry leaves, basil.
• Fruit or vegetable of your choice which by the way is optional.

Dietary Tips:

• Gluten free
• Healthy
• For a vegan version, use vegan yogurt
• For a Satvik friendly lassi avoid adding garlic

AVOCADO MINT LASSI

Serves 2

1 small (1 cup chopped) avocado

10-12 fresh mint leaves

1 cup thick plain yogurt

1 clove garlic

½ cup water

1 small green chilli, slit and remove the seeds

¼ tsp salt

1. Wash the avocado thoroughly. Cut into half and remove the stone.
2. Peel it and scoop or roughly chop the flesh of the avocado.
3. Wash the mint leaves properly.
4. Add all the ingredients into a blender jug.
5. Blend till you get a smooth and thick creamy consistency.
6. Pour the Avocado Mint Lassi into serving glasses.
7. Chill  the lassi for 30 -60 minutes in the fridge or serve it with crushed ice cubes.

Tips:

• Replace mint with coriander if you want.
• Can totally omit adding chili.
• Use good quality yogurt, you don’t want it to be too sour.
• I prefer to chill the lassi before serving.

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
•  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
• or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962