Cucumber Lassi / Chaas: Sweet & Salt

Lassi /Chaas /Butter Milk whatever you call it, it is one of the healthiest drink in Summer Season. 

The summer is here. Already screeching son shows his heat. The hot air blows through out the day. You need to keep your mind and body cool. So let us have some Cucumber Lassi /Chaas Sweet or Salt. Both are easy to preapre and good for health.
I think You like my idea of having this cucumber Lassi. It is yummy, delicious, quick and simple.
All I have used is curd / butter milk, salt and jaggery, cucumber and water.
Let us see some benefits of having Cucumber in our diet. 
We know that cucumber helps to keep our body cool. It is full of nutrients. It has a rich source of anti oxidants that is good for our health. Cucumber is low in calories and it is fiber rich. Good for dehydration and good for loosing weight. It helps in easy digestion. Control the blood sugar level. helps in controlling the blood pressure. It is good for bones. It is good for hair and skin. Cucumber contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B5 and minerals like protein and magnesium.
Cucumber Lassi is good for all aged people.  
Cucumber Lassi is diet friendly.
  It is diabetic friendly 

I have used pepper pods and salt for the Salted Lassi 
2. Jaggery for Sweetening the Lassi.

Things needed : 

Curd : 1/2 Cup
Cucumber : 2 ( Small Variety).
Pepper Pods : 3 to 4

For Salted Lassi / Butter milk 
Salt : As required
Ingh : A little

For Sweet Lassi 
Jaggery : 2 Tablespoons : Powdered or liquid

Method :

1. Wash and peel off the skin of cucumber and cut into small pieces.

2. Grind cut cucumber and pepper pods with little water. Grind it in to paste.

3. Add curd and  2 glasses of water and churn for 2 minutes.
4. Remove the done butter milk to a bowl.
5. Divide cucumber lassi two bowls.

6. Add required salt and a pinch of ingh/ Asafoetida to salted lassi and mix it well.

7. Add a tablespoon of jaggery to sweet Lassi and mix it well.

8.Sweet and Salt Lassi / Chaas /butter milk is ready to serve.

9. Put the lassi to glasses and serve. ( Adding ice cubes are optional ).

Note : 

Adding more curd is optional. You can also add little green chilly and cut coriander leaves to salty lassi. I have not added because in summer it is good to use pepper pods instead of green chilly.
Adding sugar instead of jaggery is optional. Remember jaggery is good for health. It helps in keeping your body cool.
Time : 15 Minutes
Serves : 2 to 3.

Hibiscus Flower - Raw Mango Drink

Hibiscus flowers /ದಾಸವಾಳ ಹೂವುಗಳು  are one of the beautiful creation of God.

 Varieties and colourful flowers shine on the plant and it is just wonderful to see. I have tried delicious Drink from Red Hibiscus flower and raw mango. It is purely my creation and I do think of many wonderful recipes with in the traditions.
I have used Hibiscus flowers, raw mango, liquid jaggery/organic jagggery and a pinch of salt.
Let us see some benefits of Hibiscus Flower in our diet.
Normally Hibiscus leaves are used to condition our hair. The flowers are used for preparing Hot Hibiscus Tea and juice from Hibiscus flowers.

Let us see some benefits of Hibiscus flowers.
Hibiscus flower Helps to lower the blood pressure, reduce the levels of sugar and fats in the blood. It is filled with antibiotic properties.It is good for digestive system. Hibiscus has vitamin A, vitamin C and varies anti oxidant properties.It helps in improving our mood and lower the cholesterol level in our body. It is rich in anti inflammatory properties and helps to reduce the inflammation within small time. It is filled with antibacterial properties. It takes care of our liver. It helps to treat high blood pressure and high cholesterol level. It helps in treating hypertension and anxiety. Hibiscus flower is good for restoring hormonal balance and reduces the depression and overeating.
Let us see the recipe Now : The below said quantity is for 2 to 3 glasses of Hibiscus flower - raw mango Drink.

Things Needed : 

Hibiscus Flowers : 3 to 4
Jaggery /Honey : 2 Tablespoons
Salt : A Pinch
Raw Mango Gratings : 2 Tablespoons
Water : 2 Glasses.

Method :

1. Clean Hibiscus flower /Check nicely to see any insects or worms in the flower and then wash it.

2. Remove the petals and check again. Leave it aside. Wash and clean raw mango and then grate it.

3. Keep a bowl and add 2 glasses of water to boil on the fire.

4. Add cleaned hibiscus petals and let it boil nicely. It starts to leave the colour naturally.

5. Put off the fire and let the water get cooled.
6. Use a strainer to strain the content to other bowl.

7.It should be cooled now.

8. Add jaggery and add raw mango gratings. Mix it well and let the jaggery melt nicely in Hibiscus mixture.

9. Add grated mango and a pinch of salt. Mix all the ingredients nicely. Let jaggery melt well in water.

10. Pour the Hibiscus juice to serving glass and serve.

Note : 

Hibiscus juice helps to  reduce the tension and helps the mind to relax. It also helps to cool mind and body. Adding honey instead of jaggery is optional. Cool the boiled hibiscus mixture and then add lemon and jaggery. Adding a pinch of salt helps to quench your thirst and getting cold.
Time : 15 Minutes.
Serves : 2 to 3.