Mango lassi

Lassi is a popular drink in many South Asian countries. It is made with yogurt, milk and spices. The sweet version, often served cold, has fruits added. Mango lassi is the most well known among the many varieties of sweet lassi and it is very popular in Singapore and Malaysia.

It is easy enough to make mango lassi at home especially now that it is summer and sweet ripe mangoes are abundant. To make it less frightening to family members who are unfamiliar with the term “lassi”, just tell them it’s not much different from mango milkshake. Honey is an optional ingredient but its addition neutralizes the sourness of the yogurt and makes the lassi taste very much like the sugar laden milkshake.

Makes four glasses.

Ingredients:

2 to 3 sweet ripe mangoes
1-1/2 c. of yogurt
1-1/2 c. of milk (the pour and drink kind; I used skim milk)
4 tbsps. of honey
a few ice cubes

It is preferable that the mangoes, yogurt and milk be well chilled before you start making your lassi.

Cut the mangoes and discard the stones. Score the flesh into cubes and scoop out directly into the blender. Add the rest of the ingredients except the ice cubes. Process until smooth.

Pour into glasses. Drop an ice cube or two into each glass and serve.