SPICED BUTTERMILK / MASALA CHAAS

 Indian masala chaas is the ideal summer drink! Made with yogurt, water and some spices, it’s not only light and refreshing but also good for you! You can refrigerate it and have it cool to beat the heat during the hot summer days. Masala Chaas is the salted version of buttermilk which is simple but very effective drink for the summer season in India. It is famous in all the states of India with different names and some variations are there in preparation too. In Tamil it is known as Neer Mor, Sambharam in Malayalam, Chaas in Hindi and Taak in Marathi. It is cool, low fat and healthy refreshing summer drink. Worth trying this summer. A great thirst quencher on a hot day. Traditionally buttermilk is made with yogurt but not in mixer or blender but it is blended in a pot with an instrument called Ravi / Whipper / मथनी. Remove the butter on the top and the remaining liquid which is left is chaas / buttermilk. You can improve this buttermilk and add your own spices to make it more tasty.  For today's recipe here I used curd / yogurt. Yogurt is excellent for the digestive system and loaded with natural probiotics. It also helps to cool down the body during the hottest months of the year. Not at all! Spiced Buttermilk is simply delicious & damn easy to make. Just 5 mins, & a blender. So don’t miss How to make Masala Chaas recipe...stay cool and enjoy...!!

                                                             [  Serves - 2 ]

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup Yogurt/ Cutd

1 Cup Cold Water

Ice Cubes as needed (optional )

Few Mint leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon Coriander, chopped

1 small Green Chilli, chopped finely

¼ teaspoon Rock Salt / Kala Namak

1/4 teaspoon regular Salt

1/4 teaspoon Chaat Masala  Powder

½ teaspoon Cumin Powder

For garnishing:

Few Mint Leaves

 1 Slit Green Chilli

Pinch of Cumin Powder

METHOD:

STEP 1 – In a mixing bowl, add yogurt, and whisk it using a hand whisk.

STEP 2 - Add chopped coriander, mint leaves, green chilli, cumin powder, chaat masala powder, salt,  rock salt and water. 

Whisk it again for 30 seconds.

STEP 3 –  Add few ice cubes and give it a nice mix.

STEP 4 – Adjust the seasonings and pour into individual serving glass.

STEP 5 – Sprinkle some cumin on the top. Garnish with few mint leaves,  slit green chilli and coriander leaves and serve chilled.

NOTES : *Masala chaas is one summer drink which you can made even in advance. Make it ahead and keep it refrigerated till ready to serve. It tastes best when chilled.

* If you do not use chilled water & yogurt then you have to use a lot more ice to chill the drink & this will make the drink watery.

* If you like, you can add 1/2 inch grated ginger too.