Summer shines brightly for many of us, and I try to embrace every moment. From the golden hour glow during evening strolls to the sweet tomatoes in my meals, and the refreshing lakeside breeze — nothing beats the taste of juicy mango slices.
My love for mangoes is undeniable, and the mango lassi stands out as an iconic favorite.
Typically, when people order a lassi at an Indian restaurant, they envision the sweet mango variety, which feels almost like a milkshake. Its cooling sensation pairs wonderfully with spicy dishes like sabzi and daal. Alternatively, there's a salty version that leans savory, featuring yogurt and spices like black salt and pepper.
I've blended the best elements of both to create a lassi that strikes a balance between sweet and salty. The spices enhance the mango's sweetness, making the flavors pop.
After discussing with my mom, we crafted a delightful recipe together. It's amusing how challenging it can be to extract a recipe from her. Unlike the precise measurements found in cookbooks, she rarely measures ingredients. When I call her for a recipe, it's a bit like pulling teeth, as she often doesn't understand my need for specifics.
For me, lassis were a special treat. My mom would whip them up during summer when boxes of alphonso mangoes were available at the Indian grocery store, surprising my brother and me with a refreshing blend.
In my salty mango lassi, I use sendhav salt, which I purchase from Indian markets. However, any salt will do — whether it's Himalayan pink salt, sea salt, or rock salt. Begin with 1/8 teaspoon and adjust to your taste.
My mom always keeps sendhav salt in her cabinet. During our chats about the ideal ingredient blend for the lassi, she reminded me that sendhav salt is beneficial for digestion and contains various essential minerals.
For spices, I advocate for fresh ground over pre-packaged. It may seem minor, but fresh cardamom offers a flavor that's incomparable to pre-bottled varieties. With only a few ingredients in this recipe, you want each one to shine. A basic spice grinder is a worthy investment; I use this one daily to create flavorful dishes.
So, blend everything together, serve chilled, and savor the lazy summer days with a refreshing mango lassi. Check out the recipe below!
Ingredients
Units Scale- 1/4 teaspoon sendhav salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 heaping teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
- 2 cups fresh mango, cubed (thaw if using frozen mango)
- 1 – 1 1/2 heaping tablespoons honey, based on desired sweetness
- 5 ounces yogurt
- 3/4 – 1 cup milk of choice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth.
- Taste and adjust sweetness and salt as needed.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
