Cool off after a workout or just curl up on the couch with one of these refreshing flavoured lassis.
As the temperatures drop, some of us can’t wait to glide across the skating rink or hit the slopes. But for others there's nothing more appealing than hibernation until the beach-season is back.
With the cooling taste and warm flavors of these amazing recipes add more chill to the frosty festivities of the season.
Here’s a great way to keep the snow out as you bring the winter wonderland inside your kitchen.
BANANA-WALNUT-HONEY LASSI
This lassi recipe is a step closer to summer than most but isn't winter the best time to indulge in the spices of the Mediterranean and the fruits of the tropics?
Ingredients:
1 Banana, frozen
About 3 Sage leaves (enough to make 1/2 tsp.)
1 ounce shelled Walnuts
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1-2 tablespoons of Honey or grade B Maple syrup
Preparation:
The night before, freeze the banana instead of using ice cubes in your lassi. Toast the walnuts for 2 minutes until golden brown over a low flame, adding the sage after one minute. Do not let the sage brown.
In a spice grinder, clean coffee grinder or with mortar and pestle, grind the walnuts and sage till they turn to a fine powder. Combine peeled frozen banana with yogurt, sage-walnut powder and honey in a blender and blend until they reach an even consistency.
Pour and enjoy immediately.
SPICED MOCHA LASSI
Longer nights during winters can mean tough early morning wakeups. Prepare this recipe a night before and save yourself some time in the morning as your morning coffee and breakfast are ready to go.
Ingredients:
1-2 cups strong brewed Coffee, frozen
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tablespoon instant Espresso
1/2 tablespoon unsweetened Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon freshly zested Ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly zested Orange peel
1/4 teaspoon ground Fennel seeds or ground Cardamom
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 tablespoon Honey
1/2 small fresh Banana
2 tablespoons Granola (optional breakfast garnish)
Preparation:
Part I. Frozen Coffee
Make two cups of brewed, very strong coffee. In the filtration process, include espresso and spices such as fennel, cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. The fresher your ingredients (coffee included) the better. Let cool.
Pour coffee-espresso-spice drink into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 5 hours. Great for iced coffee too.
Part II. Lassi
Combine frozen coffee with yogurt, cocoa, honey, orange zest and banana in a blender and puree.
Garnish with orange zest, spices as desired or for a great breakfast combo- some granola and cinnamon.
CARDAMOM LASSI
In the mood for a more traditional lassi? Try this palate-warming recipe.
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons powdered Sugar
2-3 Saffron threads
2 tablespoons hot Water
2-3 crushed Cardamom pods
1 tablespoon crushed Pistachios
Ground Pistachios for garnish
Preparation:
In a small bowl, crumble the saffron into 1 tablespoon of hot water and let stand for 5 minutes.
In a larger bowl, whisk together yogurt, powdered sugar, crushed cardamom seeds and crushed pistachios. Add saffron and second tablespoon of hot water mix to the mixture in the large bowl and stir thoroughly.
Refrigerate, whisking a few times, for 1 hour or until cold and brightly colored. Pour into medium glasses and serve garnished with crushed pistachios.
MAPLE CARROT LASSI
Maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon and carrot make us think of carrot cake and other sweet autumnal and wintery desserts. Now you can add Maple Carrot Lassi to the list.
Ingredients:
1 cup finely grated raw organic peeled Carrots
1/8 teaspoon ground green Cardamom (ground seeds from 1 pod)
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly zested Lemon peel
1/2 teaspoon freshly zested Orange peel
1/2 teaspoon freshly zested Ginger
1 tablespoon real Maple syrup
1 tablespoon Linden or Acacia honey
1 tablespoon fresh Orange juice
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
2 Ice cubes, crushed
Powdered Cardamom, Nutmeg and Cinnamon for garnish
Fresh Mint leaves for garnish
Preparation:
Combine spices, carrot, fruit zest, honey, syrup and juice in a blender until evenly pureed. Add yogurt and ice cubes and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass and garnish with spices and mint leaves.
EGGNOG LASSI
This recipe spells holidays in its perfection.
Ingredients:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 cup Water
6 pitted Medjool dates
1 tablespoon Maple syrup
2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon powdered Cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon powdered Nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon powdered Clove
1 pinch Sea salt
1 pinch Black pepper
Preparation:
Puree dates, yogurt, syrup and water in a blender until mixture is of an even consistency.
Add spices and vanilla extract and blend until mixture is frothy. Pour into a glass and garnish with spice of choice.
For a thicker blend: Decrease water and add more dates or add a few raw skinned almonds or cashews if you like a thicker consistency.
So add flavor to the holidays with one of these refreshing recipes.
Try out the recipes and let us know which one you liked the most.
Source: Food52.com, Yummly.com, Food-alovestory.com
Feature Image: Ourkitchen.fisherpaykel.com
Cardomom Lassi Pic: Yummly.com
Maple Carrot Lassi Pic: Yummly.com
Eggnog Lassi Pic: Food-alovestory.com