Fresh Ayran, a yogurt beverage
By Cat, Jul 2007 (Photo, right, from Wikimedia Commons)
- See also: 1. Beverages; 2. Cultured Dairy; 3. Dahi (East Indian Yogurt beverage)
- Includes: 1. Sweet Lassi; 2. Mango Lassi; 3. Salty Lassi (Ayran)
Yogurt (yoghurt) is an increasingly popular dairy item in the US, especially as people discover the health benefit of probiotic bacteria. I like to make my own from fresh milk, without sweetener added. See my Homemade Yogurt instructions. I see no point in low-fat or fat-free yogurt, because dairy fat makes the other nutrients in the dairy product more bioavailable.
While the most common beverage in the US that is made from yogurt is the “smoothie,” the Middle Eastern and SE Asian countries have several delicious yogurt beverages.
Some of these recipes call for ice cubes; I consider this a non-essential item. Lassi is an ancient beverage in tropical climes; there were no ice cubes available back then. Of course, there wasn’t a blender back then either.
Sweet Lassi and Mango Lassi
Sweet lassi is very similar to my Dahi Yogurt Beverage recipe, but has more yogurt. This version is adapted from Cuisine Cuisine (2), with the suggestion of cardamom and rose water from Hub Pages (3). The later site also includes intriguing recipes for banana, strawberry, or mango lassi; see Mango Lassi suggestion, below.
You can also use kefir instead of yogurt, for a more effervescent beverage, or use selzer water instead of plain water. Try flavoring it with a pinch of saffron. Use small ice cubes for easier blending (optional).
Caution: this beverage may cause drowsiness; may help with sleeplessness.
Makes 1 pint (2 cups).
Ingredients & Equipment:
- 1 green cardamom pod (optional)
- 1 cup whole-milk plain yogurt, homemade
- 1/2 cup cold filtered water
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional)
- 1 tsp rose water (optional)
- tiny pinch stevia extract powder OR 1 – 2 Tbsp Rapadura sugar or honey, to taste
- pinch of unrefined sea salt
- blender
Method:
- If using the cardamom pod, first gently crush it with the back of a spoon until it splits. Then place the seeds only into the blender with the other ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in blender and blend until frothy.
- Serve in a tall glass with a dollop of plain yogurt and/or a sprig of mint.
Mango-flavored Lassi:
Add up to 1/2 cup cubed mango to the blender mix, eliminate the water, and use 1 cup ice cubes.
Salty Lassi (or Ayran)
Plain Yogurt
Photo, left, from Cheesemaking.com (1)
Salty lassi is very flavorful and refreshing on a hot summer day. This version is adapted from Cousine Cousine.com (2). Ayran is a very similar beverage from the Middle East.
You can also use kefir instead of yogurt, for a more effervescent beverage, or use selzer water instead of plain water. Also, try this with dry-roasted coriander seeds, or turmeric powder instead of cumin.
Use small ice cubes for easier blending.
Makes 1 pint (2 cups).
Ingredients & Equipment:
- 1 tsp cumin seeds (whole), dry roasted (see below)
- 1 cup whole-milk plain yogurt, kefir or buttermilk, homemade
- 1 cup chilled raw milk
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice
- 1/2 cup ice cubes (optional)
- 1/2 – 1 tsp unrefined sea salt
- Equipment:
- blender
Method:
- Dry-roast the cumin seeds for a few minutes, until aromatic (see below). Cool, then grind to a coarse consistency.
- Combine all ingredients, including roasted and ground cumin in blender and blend until frothy.
- Serve in a tall glass with a dollop of plain yogurt and/or a sprig of mint.
Dry Roasting Seeds
Heat whole spices on medium high heat in a shallow cast iron saute pan without any oil, until the natural oils in the spices start emitting their natural aroma and the spice is lightly toasted.
Individual spices are lightly toasted this way before they are ground so as to extract the maximum flavor from the spice.
References:
- Cheesemaking.com photo (cheesemaking.com/store/p/164-Yogurt-Bulgarian-1-packet.html)
- Cuisine Cuisine Lassi recipe (cuisinecuisine.com/Lassi.htm)
- Hub Pages Lassi recipe (hassam.hubpages.com/hub/Lassi)
