This week we decided to hop onto beverages category and make something that suits the changing weather. Actually, the reason for this post is twofold, summers and the arriving festivity.
The summer has already began and is making its presence felt in form of scorching sun and blistering heat waves that blows across the streets and leaves us less mortals scampering for cover of our homes or offices. The only part of day that brings in some respite in Pune has been early mornings. The nippy breeze greets the joggers running on tarmac road every morning in Pune in the month of March and you would want to stand still and feel the chilliness seep through the pores of your skin. It is an attempt to hold on to the fast receding remnants of cool weather, but with the sun already on horizon, you are in for a bitter disappointment as the coolness will give way to hot and sweaty mornings that makes us cringe and bead of sweat on forehead transforms into a steady trickle flowing down the shirt.
This week, however is a laggard, with so many bank holidays, people sluggish and already in holiday mood. If given a choice, they would have loved to see their week start from Thursday, which marks the beginning of long weekend starting with Holi followed by Good Friday and then customary weekend, but left with no choice they wait for first three days of week to roll over.
Holi is a riveting festival that everyone in their life ought to witness once. Though popularly identified as festival of colors, it is much more than mere vibrant and eye-pleasing colors. The palpable joy and exhilarating madness that pervades the air is hard to miss. This festival is special in more than one way. It celebrates the camaraderie that exist among us in a society as a whole. Individuals come together irrespective of their diverse backgrounds, diverse caste, creed, sects and become part of the gripping energy this day to celebrate the feeling of oneness. The famous Hindi one-liner “Bura na maano Holi hai”- Don’t be offended after all it’s Holi, aptly describes the spirit of this festival.
The festivities span throughout the day, in morning’s children armed with their plastic built water jets-pichkaaris of different shapes and sizes run amok startling their acquaintances by aiming their weapon at them and before they feel settled they are already drenched by the stream of water hitting them from all sides. There is also sight of those affectionate couples which under the garb of festivities fiddle with their partner’s reddened cheeks, applying colors on them, imitating the ancient legend of Krishna who jealous of Radha’s beauty and her fair complexion smeared her countenance with colors. Today, they can subterfuge those prying eyes of people around them. Then there is a settled mature way of greeting and hugging each other on Holi and exchanging wishes, which is typically exhibited by the elderly folks.
The evenings is characterized by receiving visitors at home. Guests visit their hosts exchanging wishes and are greeted by wide variety of food that may include sweets made at home or bought from sweetmeat shops. This day is characterized by two of the famous drinks that get served at every household Thandai and Lassi.
Keeping with the tradition we decided to make lassi, but something that is more subtle and delicate and it seems addition of rose as an ingredient to this lassi does exactly that. It gives a fine flavor and scent of rose that gives a new dimension to the usual lassi.
Make this Gulab lassi-Rose flavored lassi that embodies the flavor and scent of rose and let your guests feel special on this festival day.
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
- 400 grams curd
- 3 tbsp rose syrup
- 4 tbsp fresh cream
- 80 grams granulated sugar
- 1 and ½ tbsp rose water
- few edible dried rose petals for garnishing
- 5-6 ice cubes
- Put curd in a blender jar.Add sugar,fresh cream, add rose syrup, rose water.
- Blend all ingredients for 30 seconds.
- Add ice cubes and blend for 30 more seconds.
- Pour lassi in a glass.
- Garnish with dried rose petals.Rose flavored Lassi is ready.
Click here to watch recipe video
Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Taking the time and actual effort to make a superb article… but what can I say…
I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.
No Worries dear , it happens in busy schedules.. do try next time 🙂