Thursday, August 31, 2017

Mango Cardamom Lassi Is A Healthy GF Drink



mango cardamom lassi in a mason jar


Do you love mangoes? It's mango season and the mangos are ripe and plentiful- perhaps the perfect time to make a refreshing digestion pleasing healthy gluten free mango lassi-

ripe mangoes


Old time ethnic recipes like this one don't fool around. They taste great, are made from real food, and provide many health benefits unlike modern day processed convenience drinks.





What is a lassi? 

According to Wikipedia- "Lassi is a popular traditional yogurt-based drink from the Indian Subcontinent. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit. Traditional lassi is a savory drink, sometimes flavored with ground and roasted cumin." Wikipedia

A mango lassi is a nutritious drink that originated in India where it gets extremely hot in the summer. The combination of yogurt ( or almond milk)  cardamom,  and mango is especially cooling and delicious. Spices like cardamom are packed with nutrients and antioxidants.

mango cardamom smoothie



If you have a ripe mango, follow the easy directions below for cutting the mango into bite size chunks.

Assemble the mango chunks, the yogurt, the ice, and cardamom spice in a blender and whiz until smooth and blended. ( How to cut a mango into chunks the easy way)

scored mango into chunks
( How to cut a mango into chunks the easy way

This is a healthy drink which can also be made vegan by substituting almond milk for the yogurt. Yogurt provides protein and probiotics while the mango is bursting with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and a significant amounts of vitamin B-6. Mangoes are also sodium free, cholesterol free and fat free.

The cardamom is provides additional vitamins and other health benefits as it is an antimicrobial. Enjoy this healthy drink on a hot summer day.


mango cardamom lassi
Add caption

Did you know that spices are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Turmeric, cumin, cardamom are widely used in India and other Asian countries and are excellent sources of antioxidants and vitamins. 

Remember to use ground spices in your recipes as frequently as possible. 
 My easy  Roasted Carrot Soup with Cardamom, cumin, and turmeric is another delicious recipe that is rich in healthy spices and lovely to serve to company.
green cardamom pods
Green cardamom pods


Cardamom is a wonderfully fragrant spice that is often used in cookies, cake, or mango lassi. It has a mild sweet spicy flavor. It grows in pods and the seeds are removed and then ground.

cardamom pods and seeds



One of my favorite ways to use fresh whole cardamom pods ( I get them in an Indian grocery very reasonable) is in a homemade tea . Once you have tried this easy to steep tea, it will become a regular soothing go to tea!

 Ayurvedic Cardamom Anise tea. 


Homemade Ayurvedic tea


Although mango lassi is the traditional type of fruit lassi made in India, you can create your own fruit of choice lassi by choosing cantaloupe, honeydew melon, strawberries, or even pineapple.

all kinds of smoothies

Ingredients: 

1 cup of yogurt (or almond milk or vegan yogurt for vegans)
1/2 cup of almond milk or milk of your choice
2 cups of ripe mango chunks
12 ice cubes
sweetener of your choice
1/8 teaspoon of ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon of turmeric
optional: Freeze your mango chunks ( or whichever fruit you are using)  and then omit the ice
Optional Variation : add a pinch of ground ginger

Directions:

Place all of the ingredients in a blender. Whiz until well blended and enjoy!


Sharing this link on Beth Fish Reads- Weekend Cooking- where anyone can share any food related post.

13 comments:

  1. Great photo to show me how to cut a mango, love it!

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    1. Thanks.. I was so happy when I found this method of cutting a mango.

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  2. These look great -- so colorful. I love mangoes, but we can't always get nice one where I live.

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    1. Oh.. the mangoes are in season and we are getting the most incredible mangoes right now.

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  3. I love yogurt and mangoes so I may be trying this recipe. It sounds fantastic!

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    1. Vicki,
      If you have never had a lassi, you should try it! Really interesting taste

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  4. Lovely! Hope you also share it with Food on Friday: August! Cheers from cArole's Chatter

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  5. thank you carole for your comment and reminder..

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  6. Mango lassi is one of my favorite drinks. Will try adding a dash of cardamom next time I make it.

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  7. Good Afternoon Judee, The first time I enjoyed a mango lassi was in the height of summer when I visited Chennai, Southern Indian..... and it was the most refreshing drink I had every tasted.... perfect for the humid summer weather of Chennai.
    I had always meant to look up the recipe, but had never got around to it.... and now here it is.
    Thank you so much. I am looking forward to making my own Mango Lassi.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  8. Your mango cardamom lassi sounds so delicious with all those wonderful healthy spices, Judee! Sharing on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page. Thank you so much for being a part of The Hearth and Soul Link Party. Hope you are having a lovely week!

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  9. This recipe for Mango Cardamom Lassi is now on my list of delectable drinks to make at home. I can't wait to savor the flavor. Thank you for sharing it at the Plant-based Potluck Party. I'm pinning and sharing this.

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  10. These look really wonderful - thanks for the recipe!! x

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