It is so hot in Perth today that we don't feel like eating at all, yes you read it right I don't feel like eating, all I want to do is drink something really cold and sit in a pool of cold blue water to freeze my frayed senses because of the heat.
Now we don't have a pool nor can I swim so the next best thing is to make something really cold. And one of my favorite cold drink is the Indian Chaas which is the salty version of its very popular cousin "Lassi". Well I like to call it a "Minty Yogurt cooler" because all that Ice and the Green Mint gives it a very lovely texture, almost like a Pinacolada. Made with yogurt it is perfect for cooling the tummies on a hot summers day and helps in digestion. As it is non alcoholic I do find it hard to imagine myself chilling in a fancy resort but whatever said and done it is yummy.
There are a few different ways of making Chaas and I loving adding Mint and a lot of crushed Ice in my version, it is like a really chilled Slushie but isn't sweet at all, if you know what I mean. Between the husband and me we can finish a whole jug of this delicious cooler without battling an eye lid.
In some recipes they also add a little Fresh Ginger and Green Chillies to give it a little flavor so there is really no hard and fast rule as to how you want to make this.
Recipe : (makes 4 small glasses, no cooking time)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp Curd/Yogurt, we use yogurt that is a little sour however it tastes fine with fresh yogurt as well.
2 tbsp Cumin powder
8 - 9 fresh Mint Leaves
Salt as per taste
1 cup water (you may need another cup if the Chaas is too thick)
Lots of crushed ice (I crushed around 12 ice cubes)
Method:
1) In a blender/Smoothie maker add the Yogurt, Salt, Cumin powder and Mint leaves and blitz for 10 seconds till they all mix together.
2) Now add the water and crushed ice blitzing it again for a minute or so. If you feel he Chaas is too thick add some more water.
3) You can refrigerate the chaas if you will not serve it immediately. Just remember to stir it well before you serve. You can substitute the Fresh mint with 1 finely chopped Green chilli and 1/2 tsp freshly grated Ginger as well.