Mathura ki lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink
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Mathura ki lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink
Mathura ki Lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink needs no introduction. If you are visiting Mathura – Vrindavan in India for Banke Bihari Darshan, A chilled Kulhad (small clay pot) of Mathura ki Lassi is a must have drink, which you should include in your foodie’s “to-try” list.
Mathura is famous as a pilgrimage, the birth place of Lord Krishna. Whoever is aware of the leelas of the naughty young Kanha, they know that he was famous as a Makhan-Chor, which means the one who steals the butter. There are numerous stories depicting the incidents of him stealing Makhan (Butter) and Dahi (Yogurt). He would steal the freshly churned butter from the homes of the village dwellers and feast with his friends over it. Many a times, he would break the Matkis (clay pots) of the Gopis (the girls of his community) to get the freshly set Yogurt, directly pouring in his mouth and his friends’. The Gopis would complain to his mother Yashoda and she would punish him for his mischiefs. One time, she got so fed up that she tied him up with a rope for the whole day.
I am a huge fan of Lord Krishna, for his Complete Avatar of Bhagwaan Vishnu. There are number of trips to Mathura and Vrindavan, etched in my mind from my childhood. My Baba (grandfather) would take us for the day trips to Mathura and we made sure to always demand a Kulhad of Lassi there.
Do you see the soft warm hands of my mother holding a beautiful clay glass of home made Mathura ki Lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink? The pleasures of visiting mum’s house!
Warning – Mathura ki Lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink is a heavy and sedating drink that induces food errr drink coma. It is made with full fat yogurt and is always topped with the malai (cream) of the full fat freshly set Yogurt. Don’t go skinny on this or it will be a regular lassi.
If you are wondering about my repetitive mention of clay pots, mugs, glasses etc, then I must tell you that – this is the way to go about it. Clay Utensils are heavily used in India, especially during summers since it keeps the food/drink inside cold. It is used as a seasonal cooler. Not only that, the clay pots and mugs add that rustic clay aroma and flavor to the dish. Love serving kheer, sharbet, even chai in Kulhad.
I am thrilled about blogging from India, even if for the short period of time. It has given me a different kind of high and mood. Though finding a right time to shoot and click is still a challenge but I think I will figure it out soon.
Some other Summer Drinks from the blog are – Lychee Mint Soda , Berry Coolade and more.
This is how I made it.
Mathura ki lassi - Thick Yogurt Drink
Ingredients
- Yogurt plain and full fat with the yogurt cream on the top - 2 cups
- Sugar powdered - 4 to 5 tbsp or to taste
- Cardamom green / Chhoti Elaichi - 4
- Saffron / kesar - few strands
- Almonds - 2 to 3 sliced thin
Instructions
Prepping for the Lassi
- Take the freshly set yogurt and delicately remove the top layer of creamy yogurt and set aside.
- Take the cardamom pods and crush them to fine powder and remove the cover.
Making Mathura ki Lassi
- Take the blender and add 2 cups of thick freshly set yogurt, cardamom powder (leave a pinch aside for garnish) and powdered sugar to it. Blend it on high for 1 minute.
- Pour the lassi in the Kulhad. Add a thin layer of Yogurt cream on the top.
- Garnish with saffron strands/kesar, almond slices and cardamom powder.
- Cover and refrigerate lassi for an hour or 2.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
The saffron strands and other garnish are optional.
Disclaimer – This recipe is a take from the memories of the flavor and richness from my childhood and I claim no authenticity to it. Even in Mathura, every vendor has their own recipe. The main ingredient is full fat yogurt with no water added and topped with the thick yogurt cream.
Mathura Ki Lassi – Thick Yogurt Drink is such a quick fix to beat the heat and enjoy the local delicacy in its purest form. It is a very famous Yogurt drink from the northern state of India – Uttar Pradesh.
Make it this week and enjoy the summer with family and friends.
As I always say, Eat Drink Happy! Stay Happy!
Sonal
This drink looks and sounds so inviting, Sonal. Thank you for all the background information as well!
Thank you so much for reading it all
ahh goodness, these lassi’s takes our heart away. and haha so true about the ” the drink coma”! I can have a glass anytime, just that the after-effects of sleepiness makes me worry, esp. at my workplace! 😉 😉
You said it Sakshi
Loved the recipe, write-up, the clay pots and your mom holding one of them . I’m really amazed that you make a post while on a vacation and do such a fantastic job too. Hats off!
Thanks Meera ❤️
awesome !! earthy aroma of Kulhad enhance flavor of Lassi
Absolutely
Love this yogurt drink. I’m a fan of yogurt and make a Persian yogurt drink with club soda, yogurt and mint. Love how this is so thick and creamy and the cream on top sounds divine. So glad to see you posting whilst in India.
Thanks Suzanne!
I am super excited to do this Indian Series with local ingredients and nostalgic food!