Amritsari Pedewali Lassi - Your favourite summer drink made even better

I have been hearing and seeing so many pictures of Amritsari food on various food groups that I had to do some research. The Kulchas, the choley, the mithais, o my god the list is endless. I am not even thinking of the awesome non vegetarian spread you get there. But one such item that caught my fancy is the Pedewali lassi. Google didn't have extensive information on it but I chanced upon some recipes. Its super easy to make ( assuming this is an authentic recipe ) and its delicious. So when KFB announced their Summer Cooler event I jumped in to make some Amritsari Pedewali Lassi.God willing I will make a trip to Amritsar soon, till then I am treating myself to this yummy goodness.

 

Ingredients:

 

Curd/yogurt - 2 cups

 

Malai peda / Khoya - 5-6 nos

 

Vanilla icecream - 1 scoop - my own addition as I thought it would add to the taste.

 

Sugar - 1 tbsp. - optional

 

Ice cubes - a few - optional

 

Crushed pistachios- a handful for garnish

 

Saffron strands - a few - optional

 

Method:

 

Just put everything in a blender except the pista and churn till frothy.

 

Serve chilled garnished with some crushed pistachios.

 

 

 

                               I am sending this recipe to the KFB Summer Cooler Event

 

Summer Cooler - Mango Yoghurt Smoothie

The much awaited rains have finally arrived in the city and that makes me so happy. I have a thing with the rains. I love it. It soothes my mind and motivates me to do things I love to do. The ongoing event at KFB " Beat the Heat "has provided just the right impetus and I am experimenting again in my kitchen. On my recent trip to the neighbourhood supermarket I picked up a box of Alphonso mangoes but to my dismay they tasted awful.I was might disappointed but didn't have the heart to throw them away. I mean paying more that 250 bucks for 4 mangoes does hurt.So I had to do something to salvage the situation and thus made this Mango Yoghurt Smoothie loaded with the goodness of saffron. This is a perfect accompaniment for breakfast or any time of the day for that matter.

Ingredients:

Mango - 2 medium - I used alphonso but you can use any variety you like.

Yoghurt/Curd - 2 cups

Water - half a cup

Sugar - 2 tbsp.

Saffron strands - a pinch dissolved in a tbsp. of warm milk + some for garnish

Method:

Wash the mangoes well and take out the skin. Mash the mango with your hand into a pulp.

In the blender jar of your mixie , add all the ingredients listed above along with the mango pulp.

Pulse until everything has mixed well and has a smooth texture.

Pour in glasses, garnish with a few saffron strands and served chilled.

 I am sending this recipe to the ongoing event Beat the Heat at Kolkata Food Bloggers

 

Summer Cooler - Cucumber Spritzer

So last nite we decided to pig out at the Smokehouse Deli. Ever since this eatery has opened up its doors to the city..it has definitely become one of my favourite places. I simply love the all white décor they have, so soothing,so summery.Now talking about Kolkata summers I really cannot find anything positive to say : (. It's scorching here and the sweltering heat is driving people crazy. The only thing that everyone is thinking about is summer coolers...how to keep oneself hydrated. Guzzling glasses of soft drinks isn't going to help in any way so the way to go is to keep it fresh and healthy. Precisely the reason why I started telling you about going to SHD( short for smokehouse) is that I had this super refreshing cucumber cooler and have recreated the same in my kitchen. Nothing like a chilled glass of fresh juice spiked up with tangy flavours. Cucumbers are anyways a saviour in these hot summer months and have a lot of goodness.Here's sharing with you the recipe of this fantastic summer cooler - Cucumber Spritzer.

 

Ingredients:

Cucumber - I medium - finely chopped

Mint leaves - a handful - I used dried mint leaves

Coriander - few stems

Black salt- 2 tsp - adjust according to taste

Sprite - 2 glasses

Ice cubes- few cubes

Method:

In the blender jar of the mixie put in the chopped cucumber,mint leaves,coriander and the black salt. Put few spoons of water and pulse the mixture till it gets a bit slushy. Don't grind it into a fine paste.

Now add the sprite into this mix and pulse again for few seconds.

Pour into glasses, add the ice cubes and serve chilled.

              I am sending this recipe the the ongoing event at KFB "Beat the Heat"