When I think of my childhood, I always visualize the image of the summer holidays and stealing mangoes from trees of neighbors. My favorite drink already as a child was the Mango Lassi, a super delicious yogurt drink. For me, it was a small motivation aid. When I sat at the table with my homework and my mother noticed that I was losing my interest, she kept a glass of Mango Lassi next to my school books. And it always worked!
Later I began to make the Lassi myself. For this, I always kept ripe mangoes in my kitchen. The mango must be properly ripe, otherwise, the Lassi does not taste well. A mature mango can be pressed slightly with the thumb, but the shell must still be beautifully tight. Unripe fruits ripen in a few days.
This drink, consisting of yogurt and pureed fruit is available not only in Indian restaurants but also in neighboring countries. Now you get the Mango Lassi as a finished product in the refrigerated shelf of the Indian supermarkets and restaurants. Alternatively, you can also prepare the refreshing drink easily.
The basic recipe for Lassi is always the same. For a typical Lassi, you will need sour yogurt, which is mixed with milk or water in equal measure. Alternatively, you can also use buttermilk, so the Lassi is particularly refreshing. If you like it thicker, use a little more yogurt. For the vegan variation, simply take natural soy yogurt and a plant milk of your choice.
To give the Mango Lassi a nice yellow color, you can add some saffron. Many also add a pinch of salt, cardamom or cinnamon as supplements. A few mint leaves are suitable for decoration. Whether with banana, cherry or strawberry, you can vary your Lassi as you wish and develop your favorite recipe. If you have no fruit on your hands, you can use fruit syrup or juice.
And if you do not like it sweet and do not have the fruit, prepare the lassi with salt, spices, and herbs!
Ingredients
1 cup plain yogurt
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 cup mango pulp
1 cup crushed ice
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp pistachios
1 tsp cardamom
3 mint leaves
Recipe Method
In a blender, combine the yogurt, milk, water, mango pulp, sugar, and cardamom. Whisk briskly until completely mixed. Serve in tall glasses filled with crushed ice pieces.
Sprinkle ground pistachios and a little cardamom over the top. Serve chilled.
