Get your Chaas In Order

Masala chaas is a staple Indian spiced buttermilk/yogurt drink which is refreshing, delicious, and healthy. Made with yogurt, spices, and herbs, it takes only 5 minutes to make and can be served after lunch, dinner, or any time of the day as a small meal.

Chaas is categorized as a sattvic food in Ayurveda, that is balancing (and good) for most people. You can enjoy with your meal or make it your own small meal if you’re hungry in the middle of the day (i.e., in Ayurveda we count any food ingested as a meal that’s why I’m not calling it a snack). I’ve known about this ‘savory lassi’ for years but frankly I never had a great one till I was in India, and I also realized how vastly different home cook meals and recipes are. In conclusion, experiment till you arrive to your chaas. Another thing, buttermilk and yogurt despite their similarities are different (LOL) so for disclaimer, I enjoy the yogurt version of this beverage and that’s what I’m calling a chaas but I suppose the proportions using buttermilk would be different. All that to say, please treat the recipe I’m presenting here as a basic formula or a departure for your own. It’s the same principle behind a Bloody Mary or a good soup!

Even though Chaas is a simple everyday drink for many, per Ayurveda it has numerous health benefits:

• Reduces Acidity

• Fights Constipation

• Cooling Effect

• Helps in detoxification

• High in Vitamins and Nutrients

• Prevents Dehydration

• Reduces blood pressure

How to make Masala Chaas

1. To a large blender add 1.5 cups of cold plain yogurt, 1/2 teaspoon of roasted ground cumin, 1 tablespoon of chopped mint leaves or coriander leaves (cilantro), and ½ teaspoon of black salt (or regular salt, as needed).

For a spicy version of masala chaas recipe, add ½ teaspoon of fresh grated ginger and ½ teaspoon of chopped green chillies OR ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes.

2. Next add 1 cup of cold or room temperature water. For a colder spiced Chaas, I suppose you can add a few ice cubes. But I cannot stand ice cubes and can’t honestly say that would be a good idea.

3. Blend for 2 to 3 minutes, until the ingredients are combined and '“the curd has been whisked well.” I don’t get much foam with this recipe but you could see that and I’ve seen the foam on some version of Chaas I had, which use more water or perhaps buttermilk vs yogurt. I suppose it’s a taste thing, but I don’t like foam either so I would just spoon it out before drinking.

Raju, the chef whose chaas I felt in love with, would garnish his chaas with thinly sliced onions and a pinch of powdered red pepper. Hmmm so good. I’ve tried with success adding 1/2 teaspoon of fire vinegar and/or garnishing with sumac. Again do your thing and don’t let anyone shame your chaas!

Panama Blend (traveling green smoothie)

One of my favorite things about green smoothies is that they are the easiest way to diversity your intake of nutrients for breakfast.  This is even more relevant when traveling, when your body's wisdom craves the surrounding flora.  If there is a blender available, I don't waste the opportunity to visit the local markets (and yards) and feast on the regional chlorophyll. 

I was recently traveling through my homeland of Panama, where the local cuisine isn't rich in greens so I took it as challenge to find ingredients for what turned out to be a fabulous green smoothie.  So hoping that it will inspire you in your next "green" travelings, here is the recipe:

Ingredients (2 servings)

• 4 cups of spinach (not a lot of local greens available in the market, but watercress and spinach grow easily in most tropical regions)
• 1 banana (tons of fruits available, but I opted to keep it simple)
• a handful of local spearmint + wild cilantro (these I found in my mom's backyard...wild herbs taste so WILD, you can taste the Prana or life force on these local beauties)
• 1/2 an avocado (this is a gingo luxury! but I deserve it)
• 1/2 tsp of minced ginger
• 1/2 tsp of turmeric (no local turmeric roots available but I was craving some astringent flavors, local stores carry tons of spices so if fresh ingredients aren't available, improvise)
• 1/2 tsp of sea salt (local sea salt made this a fun ingredient to add)
• 1 Tbs of local eucalyptus honey (yummm!!!)
• 1/2 cup of water 

1.  Add all ingredients to a blender.  Blend!  I don't like cold smoothies but you can add either a frozen banana or ice instead of water.  Enjoy.