Burhani / Bangladeshi Spiced Yogurt Drink

Ma always made yogurt in home, with the mother dairy full fat milk and a little store bought yogurt from the local sweetmeat shop. It was a daily affair and I can’t remember a day in summer when I didn’t see my mother sitting cross legged, watching the t.v and pouring the yogurt mixed warm milk from one glass to another from a height in a certain motion. After some repeated pouring from one to another glass, when the milk becomes somewhat frothy she poured them into individual steel bowl, one for each of the family members. They were then left in a corner whole night. In the morning the yogurt was set. Nice thick creamy and a little diluted with the whey. They were then transferred into the fridge and came out perfectly chilled at the time of our lunch. My sister liked eating yogurt with sugar. Large granulated sugar made a raunchy sound whenever she took a spoonful to eat...but I liked them with a little black salt sprinkled on top.

On certain occasions Ma made raita. A simple sweet and salty raita with the addition of finely chopped onions, cucumber and tomatoes. Sometimes she used to pour a little tempered oil on top of it. They looked lovely. Then there was lassi. Sweet and chilled with a mild cardamom and rose flavour, to take away all the tiredness in one sip.

Burhani is rather a new concept for us. A green frothy thick and spiced yogurt drink with coriander leaves and mint leaves, it is mainly served in Marriage ceremonies along with Biryani. Burhani is not much aromatic but it sure comes bursting with flavours in every sip.  It resembles a lot with the salted lassi...but Burhani is a little spicy from the addition of ginger and chillies. For me it’s a liquefied version of the raita, served in an earthen tall glass along with some ice.

Burhani

Serves 2

Ingredients:

1 and ½ cup of yogurt

¼ cup of chilled water

½ tsp roasted and ground cumin seeds powder

½ tsp roasted and ground coriander seeds powder

1 green chilli

¼ inch of ginger root – paste

A handful of coriander leaves

A handful of mint leaves

½ tsp black salt

1 tsp sugar

½ tsp ground white pepper

Method:

Place all the ingredients listed above inside the blender and blend until smooth and frothy.

Taste and adjust the salt.

Pour the drink in tall glasses and serve immediately.