Buttermilk or “Chaas” is indeed a dependable warrior to beat the extreme summers in India. Simply mix a few spices in yogurt diluted with water…Spin the concoction in a blender and your summer cooler is ready!
The Indian Masala Chaas is a highly effective home remedy to fight against acidity. Being a fermented drink, it is an excellent probiotic, boosts gut health which translates into a stronger immune system. A glass of Chaas on an empty stomach is known to relieve one from hypoacidity and indigestion.
To simply absorb the nutrients to the fullest…. Its best consumed a couple of hours after your meal. Widely endorsed by Ayurveda which advocates that those habituated to having curd at night must also preferably switch to Chaas instead. Sip this recipe from earthenware to enjoy its rustic flavors infused with the Chaas!!!
| Course | Drink |
| Servings | 2 persons |
| Prep time | 5 min. |
| Cook time | 1 min. |
Ingredients for the Spiced Buttermilk |
|
| 1 cup | Fresh plain Yogurt (dahi) |
| 1 tbsp | Fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped |
| 1 tbsp | Fresh mint leaves, finely chopped |
| ½ tbsp. | Chopped ginger |
| 1 | Green chilli finely chopped |
| ¾ th tsp | Black salt |
| ½ tsp | Roasted cumin seeds powder (jeera) |
| 2 cups | Chilled water |
| Salt to taste | |
| Crushed, ice to serve | |
Ingredients for Tempering |
|
| 1 tbsp | Oil |
| 1 tsp | Mustard seeds |
| A few | Curry leaves |
Instructions for Spiced Buttermilk |
|
| 1. | Take the fresh yogurt in a bowl. Add the chilled water and mix well. Blend with a blender and pass through a sieve. |
| 2. | Crush the coriander leaves, mint leaves, green chilli, ginger in mortar & pestle. |
| 3. | Add the above to the yogurt-water mixture and mix well. Add in the salt, black salt and cumin seed powder (I prefer to freshly roast cumin seeds on a tawa and grind them coarsely and add it). This gives a good flavor and aroma. |
| 4. | Prepare the tempering as follows; Heat the oil, sauté the mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add the tempering to the buttermilk. |
| 5. | Serve chilled with crushed ice. |
