"Sweet Jambhul (Black Plum) Lassi" ... it's summer and it's that time when the heat rises draining out body energy … however, luckily summer is also that time when plenty of delicious seasonal fruits are available and one of them is Jambhul … here is a healthy sweet delicious drink prepared with fresh Jambhul that’s in season now with homemade skimmed milk curds … enjoy it cold/ chilled to beat the summer heat away .... Yummilicious ...
** Lassi is a delicious sweet or spiced thick coolant/ drink prepared with thick set fresh curds and served either cold or chilled. These are served mostly in the northern parts of India, though now people all over the world enjoy it. However, until a few decades back in the southern parts it was always spiced buttermilk in thin texture that was served compared to the thick churned curds served in the northern parts. As almost everybody all over the world knows about lassi I will not run into more details about the same, you can check out on my other posts as I have shared in quite a few number of fresh fruit lassi or you can search the net for more information. This lassi is prepared with fresh Jambhul (Black plum) which is abundantly available now, a little bit costly, nevertheless the large sized ones are very sweet and tasty too. In fact, it is believed that mangoes and black plums come together in season to complement each other as mango is believed to be a little bit heat producing while jambhul is a coolant. Many have 2-3 jambhul after enjoying mangoes to balance body heat too. Isn’t that thoughtful of nature, we should be thankful.
** Everybody knows the health benefits of Milk and its products. I am sure we have all heard enough from Amma, when she scolded us and made sure that we drank our quota of milk, curds or buttermilk for the day. Habit made during childhood is unknowingly such a boon to us that it just is stuck with us through our lifetime. A glass of milk ensures that you have the right source of protein added on to your daily diet. They are rich in protein, less in fat when used in skimmed form, good for digestion, strengthens immune system, good for the bone along with many more properties. Churned out of skimmed milk dahi/curd “Lassi” is very tasty and extremely beneficial for our digestive system and is almost fat less except for the sugar added on which is the only culprit in the whole drink. I have added quite a few fresh fruit lassi, fruit curds, matta, buttermilk etc. using skimmed milk, do try them out as they are really good for health all through the age. Try to prepare and use fresh homemade curds with skimmed milk, it is not only easy but also assures of quality and hygiene. Check on the link provided at the bottom of this recipe for method of setting curds.
** A few years back I had prepared jambhul fruit curds ie curds set with addition of jambhul/ black plum and had prepared the lassi in another different method were in I had used the set curds and milk to prepare the same. I would say if you want to set curds with jambhul, you can and if desired you can check out the recipe to which I am sharing a link at the bottom of this recipe. However, the method mentioned in this lassi preparation is easier and the one regularly used which I had been meaning to share for a long time now. Addtion of fresh fruit is far by the easiest and the healthiest way to preparing good homemade lassi than with addition of essential fruit flavors or particular store bough fruit crush/ syrup etc. If you have prepared home made fruit crushing the same can be easily used in preparation of this lassi too, I will be soon adding on these recipes which I am sure will be useful to all as they can be prepared in a jiffy, until then try this out and let your children and elder enjoy it this summer without any worry of the summer heat, stay blessed.
** Here is my recipe for "Sweet Jambhul (Black Plum) Lassi" … Very easy, tasty and simple to prepare in your own home ….
** To get 2 large sized glasses of thick sweet jambhul/ black plum lassi you will need very thick freshly set homemade curds of roughly about 3 glasses. If the curds is not thick in texture, then do strain it a little bit through a muslin/ cotton cloth and it will give the desired texture. Do not throw away the whey ie the water drained from curds, you can add them back once the lassi is prepared if found too thick or you can prepare roti dough etc. with the same too. If new to preparing of curds, you can check out my post on "method of perfect setting of curds" the link of which is shared at the bottom of this recipe.
** If your curds set at home are not thick textured, there is another method to ensure that you get thickness to skimmed milk curds. Just heat the skimmed milk well, remove and mix in 1 tablespoon of skimmed milk powder to the hot milk in proportion of 1 tblsp for one glass of milk ratio. Mix well and let cool, when just warm enough (tepid) add in a tablespoon of curds/culture for setting of curds and leave it aside covered in a warm place to set and you will get thick well set curds.
** Wash and wipe dry 15-20 large sized jambhul/ black plum. Slice off the top stem portion slightly and discard it, separate the fleshy portion from the inner seed. Add ½ cup of chilled water to the seeds and gently squeeze out the remains if any attached to the seeds and the then discard the seeds. Add the fleshy portion into a mixer grinder/ blender and grind to a very smooth paste without adding water. The ground puree should be very smooth in texture.
** Now add about 3-4 tsp (+/- depending upon individual taste and the sweetness of the jambhul/ black plum), the seeds washed water, ½ tsp of cardamom powder and one again grind all together until the you get a very fine paste. Do not add excess water as we will be adding curds and remember lassi is always served very thick in texture though in some norther Indian places people prefer relishing lassi with spoon instead of drinking/ sipping it on, well, that’s individual choice.
** Remove the pulp and strain it through a large holed sieve into a vessel. Add 2-3 cups of thick well set curds/ dahi/ yogurt and then with a beater beat all together for a few minutes until evenly done and there are no lumps whatsoever and the texture is really smooth. Now at this point, If you find the lassi too thick then you can add some chilled/ cold water and further beat all together for another minute or so. As mentioned the thickness of lassi is always a matter of individual choice.
** Note : Straining of jambhul/ black plum paste is a matter of choice, here, I have strained it, while sometimes I do not. It is advised to retain the fiber and that it should not be strained, if you grind it really smooth there is no need to do so. I add sugar in the proportion of 1.5 to 2 tsp per large sized glass, you may add accordingly.
** Keep the prepared lassi in fridge for about 2-3 hours to serve it cold or you can serve it with a few ice cubes too. These days in my home I serve lassi just a little bit cold and avoid making it chilled or too cold too on medical advice. It is believed that during summer when the heat is very high, one should not drink in too chilled drinks to avoid body getting upset with sudden lowering of temperature thereby causing harm.
** "Sweet Jambhul (Black Plum) Lassi" is done and ready to be served. Always serve it cold or chilled (if desired only) with a spoon and a straw as at times if the lassi is too thick it gives joy in relishing it scooped out with a spoon. As it loses the chilled temperature lassi always somehow thins out and then it is easier to sip it on with the help of a straw. In my home however, I always maintain the thickness of keeping the lassi ready for sipping as we love it that way, you can also serve it that way which is slightly thinner in texture, again as I said about its a matter o individual choice.
** "Lassi" in my opinion is somewhat a small meal in itself especially with addition of fruit purees. I love to have these during fasting/ upwas days as it not only freshens up your mood but is also very filling on tummy keeping your mind away from food. Lassi is also full of proteins and good for health especially if you prepare it with skimmed milk curds, which is what I always do. Do try out this unique Jambhul/ black plum flavored lassi and reap in health benefits for you and your family. It's summer time and they are plenty of them available now, so go ahead and enjoy.
** For the method of setting of “Homemade Jambhul/ Black Plum Curds and Lassi” check out the recipe in the link shared below ….
https://gayathrifoodbytes.blogspot.com/2018/05/homemade-jambhul-black-plum-curds-and.html#more
** Given below is the link to “Preparation Method of Perfect Set Curds”, if you are new or are unaware of its benefits, please check out out on the link given below ….
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