Friday, July 08, 2011

Strawberry-Rose-Cardamom Lassi (Indian Smoothie)

In India, summertime is incomplete without a good Lassi. Lassi is an Indian yogurt/buttermilk drink - a mix of yogurt or buttermilk, water, spices and fruit - is based on ancient Ayurvedic traditions. It is known to cool down your body especially on a hot day after a spicy meal. I have recreated my favourite lassi recipe using the season’s best strawberries, some rosewater and cardamom.
In Ayurveda, cardamom is known for its digestive properties. Cardamom also helps in cleansing the body as it has detoxifying properties. Cardamom is known to be helpful in balancing all three 'doshas' in the human body. A little quantity of cardamom is especially beneficial in balancing "kapha”. It can be used for balancing "vata" and "pitta" as well. (Source). The quantity of cardamom consumed depends on the physiology of a person. 
Known in ayurveda for its digestive properties, Butter milk gets digested quickly and easily. Aggravated kapha and vata are mitigated by buttermilk. Rosewater has a pleasant cooling, anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive tract and honey too is known for its digestive properties. So this smoothie is pretty much a 'Super Food'! 

Anjum's Eat Right for Your Body is a great buy if you believe in ayurveda.


Food Blogger Connect is Europe’s primer conference for food bloggers & writers, attracting bloggers from all over Europe & outside Europe, with an impressive line up of guest speakers, programmes and competitions. This year Cuisinart has partnered with FBC (as official small domestic appliance partner) for a fabulous giveaway: two full weekend conference tickets to two very lucky winners and an opportunity to participate in the cooking demonstration with Celebrity Chef Anjum Anand. Even those who have already registered have a chance of winning. How great is that? The rule was to create your own smoothie or make a smoothie recipe from Cuisinart or Anjum Anand’s books and post it on our blog and on Food Blogger Connect Facebook page by 8th of July, 2011 and tweet about it. So here's my third entry.
Strawberry,Rose, Cardamom Lassi (Smoothie)
Ingredients

Strawberries 150g
Rose-water 2 tsp
Buttermilk 2cups
Cardamom Powder 1tsp
Honey 1tbsp
Method:
Whizz everything in a smoothie maker with some ice and serve chilled.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Arthi, go to the post and comment your smoothie there too! Love lassi, with rose too. Good luck.

Simones Kitchen said...

Ah another gorgeous smoothie Arthi. Love the flavor combination!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

Thank you for explaining what a lassie is. I once made a mango lassie but I had no idea what made it a lassie. I guess, it was the yogurt.

This looks so tempting. Guess it is time to make another one.

Deeba PAB said...

This is gorgeous stuff Arthi. What is summer without a lassi. Do hope you win...love the pairing.

Choclette said...

This sounds wonderful. I love all of these flavours and I'm Kapha to boot, so better get on and make some :)

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