Salted Lassi (Lhassi) with Cumin and Mint Recipe

Adapted from "Susan Feniger's Street Food: Irresistibly Crispy, Creamy, Crunchy, Spicy, Sticky, Sweet Recipes" by Susan Feniger, Kajsa Alger, and Liz Lachman

Difficulty: Easy | Total Time: 15 mins | Makes: 8 (8-ounce) servings

Mango lassis are commonly served at Indian restaurants, but their thick consistency and sweet flavor can be like drinking a milk shake with your meal. This savory and refreshing version of the yogurt drink from Chef Susan Feniger of Street restaurant in Los Angeles is flavored with fresh mint and cumin, and lightened by the addition of sparkling water.

What to buy: Indian black salt, also known as kala namak, is a sulfurous-tasting salt used in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. It’s actually not black, but a brownish pink when whole and light purple or pink when ground. You can find it at Indian grocery stores or online.

Click here to watch Susan make her salted lassi in an episode of our CHOW Tips video series.

INGREDIENTS

For the lassi:

4 cups (1 quart) plain whole-milk yogurt
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 cup fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, toasted and ground
1 teaspoon kosher salt

For serving:

Ice
3 cups sparkling water, chilled
Toasted cumin seeds
Finely ground Indian black salt, for garnish (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

For the lassi:

Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. If not serving immediately, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

For serving:

Fill a glass with ice. Add 5 ounces of the lassi, top with 3 ounces of sparkling water, and stir gently to combine. Garnish with cumin seeds and black salt, if using.

SOURCE: http://www.chow.com/recipes/30519-salted-lassi-with-cumin-and-mint