LASSI

Lassi is popular dairy beverage of Pakistan. Lassi is originally from Punjab but is served widely in all parts of Pakistan. Its is very easy and quick to make. Lassi is every day drink and very refreshing. It is a perfect drink that boosts energy. Lassi is a natural yogurt, rich probiotic drink. Lassi is of great importance in diet and has a great nutritional value. It contains fat, protein, lactose, ash, calcium, phosphorus.

Main ingredient of Lassi is yogurt. Yogurt is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as "yogurt cultures". Fermentation of lactose by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and its characteristic tang. Freshly made yogurt is filled with countless numbers of beneficial bacteria that help digestion and kill harmful viruses. Yogurt is digested in about one hour as compared to the three hours it can take to digest milk.   This makes the yogurt even more light and digestible and helps in intestinal comfort after eating a meal 

Lassi is a versatile drink which allows to experiment with different flavors. Only the yogurt, sugar, water and ice are the basic ingredients that remain the same. There are many types of lassi that are flavored with sugar, rosewater, mango, strawberry or other fruits and have become immensely popular. Lassi is served chilled.

LASSI (PAKISTANI DRINK)

   LASSI

Lassi is most popular and traditional drink of Pakistan. It is commonly drink during summer days. It is a perfect drink for breakfast to give a boost of energy in the morning but mostly taken with lunch as hot-weather refreshment. It is every day drink.  It is served chilled. Its preparation is very simple and easy.

Lassi is a natural yogurt, rich probiotic drink. It is one of the most basic drinks used energizing and vitalizing since 1,000 B.C. Ancients called it the “Food of the Gods”. It has a great taste and wonderful health benefits. It Contains immense nutritional value and is also of great importance in diet.  Lassi is nutritionally rich in protein, fat, calcium lactose, phosphorus, folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. It also contains naturally occurring five unique probiotic cultures which are L. Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium Freudenreichii, and L.Casei It has nutritional advantages beyond those of milk which are essential to human body. It is used aid to re-balance, re-store and re-juveniles.

Key ingredient of Lassi is yogurt. It is made by blending yogurt with water or milk. Yogurt is a dairy product produced by bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria used to make yogurt are known as "yogurt cultures". Fermentation of lactose by these bacteria produces lactic acid, which acts on milk protein to give yogurt its texture and its characteristic tang. Freshly made yogurt is filled with countless numbers of beneficial bacteria that help digestion and kill harmful viruses. Yogurt is digested in about one hour as compared to the three hours it can take to digest milk.   This makes the yogurt even more light and digestible and helps in intestinal comfort after eating a meal 

 

Lassi is a versatile drink which allows you to experiment with different flavors. Only the yogurt, sugar, water and ice are the basic ingredients that remain the same.  Chaach is a salted drink like lassi; but contains more water in yogurt than lassi and has the butterfat removed, so its consistency is not as thick as lassi. Salt and cumin seeds are normally added for taste and sometimes even fresh coriander. Fresh ground ginger & green chilies may also be added as seasoning. Chaach is popular in the Punjab regions of Pakistan where it is drink with the main meal. It is known to aid digestion and is an excellent coolant in the Pakistani summers.

ZARDA (SWEET RICE)

Zarda is a special dessert used on cheerful and delighted occasions, like weddings, festivals, parties, religious occasions, family gatherings, and so on. Zarda is a traditional Pakistani sweet. It is a popular dessert. The distinctive feature about Zarda is its Yellow color, which gives the colorful impact to dish and enhance temptation to eat. Now a day’s slightly different method of Zarda is also made in Pakistan. Instead of yellow coloring, multiple food colorings are added so the rice grains are of multiple colors.

The name Zarda comes from Persian. In Urdu language 'zard' means the dark yellow color'.  It is named because the yellow food color is added to the rice. Zarda is made by boiling rice with (orange) food color.  Main ingredient used in Zarda is sugar, cardamoms, raisins, saffron, pistachios or almonds and koya.

It is believed that Zarda is origin of Mughals and they introduced this dish. No festive meal is truly complete with out a delicious dessert. Zarda is enjoyed by all age groups and eaten with relish on occasions. Zarda is always in demand and forever popular.  .It can be served with infinite variety of garnishing. There are several ways to beautify Zarda. It is choice how to make it rich and delicious.

There might be several methods to prepare. But basic method is same.

 INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups Rice (uncooked)
• 1 tbsp. Raisins
• 1 tbsp. Walnuts (chopped)
• 1 tbsp. Almonds) (chopped)
• 10 Small Cardamom Pods (Choti Ilaichi)
• 4 Cloves
• 3 tbsp. koya or heavy cream
• 4 cups Sugar
• ¼ tsp. Orange Food Color
• Few drops of kewra essence
• 2 tbsp. Vegetable Oil or ghee

DIRECTIONS:

• Soak rice in water for at east 20 to 30 minutes.

• Take large pot combine water, 5 cardamom pods, cloves and food color; bring to a boil. Slowly stir in rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender, (about 20 minutes).

• In a large skillet over low heat, fry the remaining 5 cardamom pods in oil for about 2 minutes or Sauté till aromatic. Now add drained rice and sauté for two minutes till the rice is coated with the oil and the spices are evenly. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream or koya, raisins, walnuts, almonds.

Before serving, stir in the remaining dry fruits and raisins.   Zarda is a dish which is best to eaten when freshly made. It is served hot. It can be dish up with various ways. Serving can made with own choices. It can be served with wonderful combination of dry fruits and other decorative items like chandi kay worq (Silver sheet). Koya is another way to make it marvelous. Methai (sweet meat) add an extra special touch to this dessert. Zarda is no doubt a wonderful rich mouth watering dessert for all occasions.