Lassi is liked by almost everyone in Pakistan unless of course you don’t like dairy products. In some houses it is made quite often, especially during summers. It helps keep the body hydrated and also gives you enough energy to get through the day. Basically, lassi is the ultimate cooling drink for summers in desi household.
Sweet or Meethi lassi is often a special treat, however, you can also opt for namkeen lassi. Following are the recipes for namkeen and meethi lassi that you can try at home.
Meethi Lassi
If your kids don’t like all the desi stuff and you really want them to try lassi, then you better go for the sweet one. You may add flavors or juices to it as well. Once they get used to the taste then make them try this lassi which has a proper desi touch to it. If you cannot have too much sugar, then you can use any other artificial sweetener.
Ingredients:
- Yogurt (preferably homemade): 2 cups
- Water: 1 cup
- Milk (preferably fresh and not the packed one): 1 cup
- Sugar: as per taste
- Cardamom powder: 1 tsp
- Saffron: a few strands
- Ice: as per need
- Dry fruits: chopped
Method:
- In a jug or a bowl blend the yogurt with a wired whisk or blender.
- Make sure the yogurt is smooth before you add the rest of the ingredients.
- Add all the sugar that you want to as per your taste.
- Add milk and water to the yogurt and sugar mixture.
- Blend the mixture till the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Keep on blending till you see a frothy layer on the top.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except from saffron and blend.
- Pour the lassi into tall glasses and garnish it with saffron and dry fruits.
- Serve it cold and fresh for better taste.
- You can also garnish the top of your lassi glass with a layer of malai (cream) to make it look special.
Namkeen Lassi:
If you are concerned about calories and too much sugar intake, then namkeen lassi is the right thing for you. It can give you the right amount of salt that is required by your body.
Ingredients:
- Yogurt (preferably homemade): 1 cup
- Milk (preferably whole milk and fresh): 2/3 cup
- Water: 1 cup
- Cumin seeds (powdered) : ¼ tsp.
- Salt: as per taste
- Black pepper: as per taste
Method:
- Pour all the yogurt in a bowl or a jug.
- Blend it with a madaani, wired whisk or a blender.
- Make sure that the yogurt is smooth and then add all the milk to it.
- Keep on blending and add water and salt as well.
- Keep on blending the mixture till you see froth on the top. That’s when you know the lassi is made.
- Add cumin seed powder and black pepper. Blend it for a few more seconds just to mix cumin and pepper in the lassi.
- Serve it in tall glasses and garnish with mint leaves and add a layer of malai on the top.
- Make sure that you serve it cold to beat the summer heat.