Mango Lassi

During my studies at Biola, I discovered the wonderful world of Indian culture. It first started with the movie, Bend it Like Beckham. I loved the music, the dance, the clothing...and then I was introduced to Bollywood through the movie "Mujhse Dosti Karoge" ("Let's be friends!"). My interest was peaked! Singing and Dancing throughout a movie!? Awesome!

Anyway, I ended up researching Indian Culture even more so that I could showcase it during our Missions Conference where students are challenged to think globally.  During this time, my friends and I made a trip to Artesia, otherwise known as "Little India", to try out the food so that we could possible recreate it for the entire student body.

A couple of my friends and myself celebrating the Indian holiday of Holi

During one of these trips, I tried my first taste of mango (to my knowledge) in a sweet, cold, beverage called a "Lassi" A Lassi is a traditional South Asian yogurt based drink; similar to an American smoothie but much smoother. It was delicious and a couple weeks ago, while looking at the low prices of mangoes, that I was attempting to rack my brain with something "new". It was also quite hot and I was craving a sweet cool beverage...that's it! Mango lassis! Perfect!

I came across a blog then called "My Dhaba", a blog by a "Chef de Cuisine" bouting traditional Indian cuisine. Upon looking at the recipe, I realized how simple and easy it was to make. I made some for our friends a couple days later and then a week later, when staying my in laws I saw a couple of mangoes just calling out. Knowing my sister in law also loves mangoes, I decided to whip us up a batch of lassis the following day. So far, everyone has enjoyed them, and I hope you do too!

Mango Lassi
by My Dhaba (with comments by myself)

Ingredients:
Curd/Yogurt - 1 cup (I used plain yogurt the first time, vanilla flavored the next. Brad and I agree that plain is best but vanilla wasn't bad.)
Mango pulp - fresh preferred, 1/2 cup (I cut our mango into cubes)
Sugar - 3 tablespoons
Ice - crushed, 1/2 cup
Water - 1/2 cup or as required (Now if you have never had a lassi before, the thickness would be obviously be personal preference)

Method: Blend all and serve chilled.