Fresh Turmeric Chaas

mayurisjikoni

5 years ago

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EVENT: SUNDAY FUNDAY

THEME: CELEBRATE DAIRY

RECIPE: FRESH TURMERIC CHAAS

What is Fresh Turmeric Chaas?

Fresh Turmeric Chaas is a refreshing yogurt drink with grated fresh turmeric added to it. Healthy, immunity boosting and delicious, hubby and I try and have this drink at least five times a week if not more.

Difference Between Lassi and Chaas

Though often both are interchanged, they basically are not the same. The similarity ends at yogurt. Chaas is usually made with added water and has no sugar. Lassi on the other hand is thick like a smoothie, may have a little added milk and may have sugar, honey or any other sweetener added to it. Sometimes lassi can be of the savory kind too, with salt added but its still thick like a smoothie. These days there are a variety of fresh fruits added to lassi. Chaas or chach is more watery, lighter and commonly enjoyed with a meal in most parts of the Indian Sub Continent. While some add only salt, others may add fresh ginger, garlic, or green chilis or simply a bit of cumin powder.

Some Chaas Recipes you may want to check out

Chaas is a part of our daily lunch. As a result I try and make different flavored chaas whenever I can. During this Covid Pandemic time, hubby and I have been having fresh turmeric or turmeric powder almost daily and we both prefer to have it in our chaas.

Coriander Garlic Chaas- Fresh Coriander or Cilantro and garlic paste are added to the basic chaas.

Vaghareli Chaas – a tempering of cumin seeds, curry leaves, fresh coriander and a bit of green chilli added to plain chaas makes it so flavorful.

Cucumber Coriander Chaas – during the hot season, blending cucumber and fresh coriander wit yogurt makes this chaas so refreshing and cooling.

Why Use Fresh Turmeric or Turmeric Powder?

Here are some of the health benefits of turmeric. The secret weapon in the turmeric is curcumin

Curcurmin is believed to halt enzymes that may be responsible for turning environmental toxins into carcinogens.
Curcumin improves digestion of fats and sugars.
As a powerful anti inflammatory, it helps fight inflammation therefore helping the body fight germs, stomach ailments, gum diseases etc.
Helps to relieve arthritic pain.
Beneficial for the heart and the circulatory system
Helps in certain skin ailments like itchiness and psoriasis.
Helps in the proper functioning of the liver.
Turmeric paste wards off pimples and acne.
Improves skin complexion and hair health.

How to use Fresh Turmeric?

Fresh Turmeric can be added to curries, soups, or add to your salad dressing. Check out my Turmeric Yogurt Salad Dressing. Or add it to your Turmeric Tea Latte (haldi ka doodh)

I prefer to soak whole fresh turmeric in normal tap water for at least 30 minutes. This helps peeling it much easier. Rather than slicing off chunks of turmeric with the skin (total waste of fresh turmeric), its best to scrape off the peel. Before you do that please wear disposal gloves otherwise you will land up with yellow hands! One peeled you can chop into pieces and grind to a paste in your food processor. If you don’t want a yellow food processor (mind you once washed it doesn’t impart the colour or flavour to other ingredients you may process), then grate it. I prefer to grate it. I then store the extra grated turmeric in the freezer in a ziplock bag. Put the grated turmeric in a ziplock bag, flatten it and freeze. When required just snap off a piece or chunk.

Can you make this Chaas without Fresh Turmeric?

Definitely you can. Just use ½ tsp turmeric powder instead of 1 tsp fresh grated turmeric.

When you can enjoy Fresh Turmeric Chaas?

Have it for breakfast
Enjoy it along with your main meal
How about a healthy snack treat, as its filling
Summer Drink – ideal drink for picnics, garden parties.

Sunday Funday

Sunday Funday is a group of Food Bloggers who every Sunday share some fun, traditional, hearty or easy recipes to make Sunday Family Meals a bit more exciting. If you’re interested in joining this fun group then visit the Sunday Funday Facebook Page. Request to join in. This Sunday the theme is Celebrate Dairy, suggested by Rebekah. January 11th is actually the National Milk Day for US. Rebekah suggested we use any dairy product to prepare the Sunday Funday recipe. I’ve used my favorite, yogurt.

Check out what Dairy Products fellow members have used:

Blackberry Peach Overnight Oats by Palatable Pastime
Cheesy Eggplant Pork Roast Rolls by Food Lust People Love
Chocolate Pots de Creme by Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Creamy Asparagus Soup with Ham Stock by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Creamy Steak Fettuccine by Making Miracles
Doodh Poha/Rice Flakes In Milk by Sneha’s Recipe
Homemade Chocolate Pudding by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Kesar Lassi (Saffron Lassi) by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream by Cooking With Carlee

Ingredients required for Fresh Turmeric Chaas

Plain Yogurt – the yogurt must be plain and thick. Use ready made or home made yogurt.
Water – chilled or room temperature.
Fresh Turmeric – grated or minced.
Salt – any and according to your taste.
Pepper Powder – piperine in pepper enhances the cur cumin absorption.
Garlic – use a small clove or half of it. Adds flavor. Omit if you don’t like the taste of raw garlic.
Green Chilli – paste. Crush a chilli with a pestle. Again totally up to you if you want to add it.
Fresh Coriander/ Cilantro – goes well in chaas and adds flavour.