Mango Lassi

In Kolkata, Shyambazar is just 10 minutes walk from our house. Its a five point crossing, so it always has its own crowd. On its one side, on one of the footpath, a number of carts are there, selling different kinds of lassis ans fruit juices. Although all the footpaths is Shyambazar is alway heavily crowded, this particular footpath is crowded for a completely different reason, i.e. for the overcrowded stalls. If you are in a hurry or just on your way, walking through that footpath is not an easy task. You will stumble over waiting customers in every 3 seconds.

On those summer days, a chilled glass of Mango Lassi is nothing but a goblet of heavenly nectar, which could ease out the stresses of the day with just one sip.

 In these summer months when I used to return home...stressed and tired..gasping heavily to have a sip of chilled water straight from the fridge...mother always used to have a glass of lassi ready for me. Sometimes plain and sometimes with mango. And sometimes she used to make "aam pora sorbot" ~ a drink made from burnt raw mango. A recipe to be shared some another time.

This year, we went for a small trip to Dubai. Of course, Dubai needs no introduction. My husband and I both dislike the idea of travelling with a travel agent, so we did our planning and enjoyed a lot. I will remember Dubai mostly for its Fountain Show in front of Burj Khalifa, and the exquisite Saffron Chicken Biriyani that we had in your lunch. Lovely!!!

Mango Lassi
Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 large and ripe mango 
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1 and 1/2 cup of yogurt
• 1/2 cup of water / 5-6 small ice cubes
• sugar - as per taste
• some cashew nuts
• some raisins
• 2 cherries
• 1 tbsp malai /heavy creme

Method:

• Peel and cut the flesh of the mango.
• In a blender put together the mango pieces, yogurt, cardamom powder, sugar and water / ice cubes.
• Blend until everything becomes smooth and a nice froth forms upon it.
• Pour the lassi in a glass.
• Add some more ice cubes.
• Garnish with some malai / heavy cream, chopped cashew nuts, raisins and cherry.
• Serve chilled.