Avocado Lassi

Avocado Lassi – a thick, delicious, healthy and refined sugar free Indian yogurt based beverage with fresh avocados; a refreshing summer delight!

It is well known that avocados or “butter fruit” as they are called in India are nature’s gift to us, full of nutrients; the “good fat” called MUFA or monounsaturated fatty acids and with almost 20 vitamins and minerals…whew!!

Although not so popular in many countries, especially India where we get it only during the summers; and most of us do not even know how to consume them! Everyone I ask says they just cut it into 2 halves, deseed, add sugar to the pulp and enjoy!

That was the first way I was introduced to avocados in the 80s when I first went to US by an Indian friend! I loved the creamy texture but was so wary of ingesting so much sugar in one go that too when the fruit itself is so nutritious!

As days went by, as I was discovering different world cuisines in a foreign country (mind you, no internet, no Google and no computers then; just newspapers!), during my visit to a local Mexican restaurant, we were served this green mushy looking dip and side to go with our main course, burritos!

Once spoon of it and I fell in love with avocado’s savory version: guacamole and since then that is the way I enjoy my avocado! But, you must try my Avocado Ice cream too! Absolutely creamy and scrumptious!

Now, with summers in Mysore, avocados are rare; available only around June-July, so enjoying them thoroughly nowadays; guacamole, in salads (chopped fresh) and now as lassi, an Indian yogurt smoothie!

HOW TO MAKE AVOCADO LASSI:

Everyone knows what lassi is – a thick yogurt based Indian "smoothie" with fruits, spices, herbs etc.

Avocado lassi is super easy to make. Just blend fresh, ripe unbruised avocado fruit pulp in a blender with some yogurt adding water or milk and some ice to a thick smoothie like slush.

Add a splash of your favorite sweetener while blending; I love adding honey to my drinks and viola! You have a delicious, luscious and feel-good kinda lassi as a thirst quencher!

Yes, basically only 2 ingredients with added sweeteners!

Adjust consistency to your preference; avocados do make for a thick lassi that you can actually spoon it up and enjoy but I diluted it a bit (adjust sweetness too) for my husband who likes his lassis a bit thin.