Dark Chocolate Walnuts: Guilt Free Snack

Chocolate is the best dessert one could have-ofcourse in moderation. Dark chocolate (70-80%) is even better. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, iron and magnesium. Studies have shown that dark chocolate improves blood flow and controls high blood pressure. In my world dark chocolate is healthy, use good quality sugar free chocolate and you are good.

I have spoken previously about healthy chocolate barks and why it is a great energy snack. You can see my Roasted Nuts Chocolate Bars and Seeds Nutty Chocolate barks recipes. Today it is another way of consuming chocolate. Heart healthy, omega rich walnuts dipped in glazy dark chocolate-a guilt free snack.

One-quarter cup of walnuts, for instance, provides more than 100 percent of the daily recommended value of plant-based omega-3 fats, along with high amounts of copper, manganese, molybdenum, and biotin. That’s why it is so so so amazing to unite Dark Chocolate and Walnuts and make these.

Dark Chocolate Walnuts, is a great idea to suffice a sweet tooth without worrying about weight gain and it is so easy to make. I have seen recipes where vanilla essence, walnut oil and cocoa powder is used, but I wanted to keep it as simple as possible. Melt chocolate and coat walnuts and let it sit in the freezer. That’s it- Could not get easier than this.

Ingredients:

1 bar/100 grams dark chocolate (70-85%)

1 cup shelled walnuts

Method:

Take a baking tray or a plate. Line it with parchment paper or even kitchen foil will do.

Chop chocolate roughly. Melt it in microwave for 20 seconds. You might need to do it for more 10 seconds. Make sure that chocolate doesn’t burn and is melted properly.

Mix walnuts in melted chocolate. Coat the walnuts properly.

Spoon each walnut on the lined tray. Keep the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes.

Remove from the sheet and store it air tight container in the fridge.

Notes:

You can use milk chocolate or white chocolate too for this recipe. Or you can mix all three chocolates and use.

Same can be done with any other nuts like almonds, cashews or pistachios.

Green Apple Fizzy Smoothie

Anyone who follows me on instagram would probably know that I am a huge sucker of cafes. I like to try out cafes, the petite ones, the cozy ones, the classy ones. What I love the most about cafes is fresh food. Unlike Costa, Starbucks or any other big cafes, these not-so-famous cafés will serve you fresh food.  Whenever I enter into very famous cafes I miss that personalized touch, that homely feel; above all food rolled in cling film which is later re-heated and served is a big no-no for me.

Living with me for 7 years I guess Mr. Husband has also fallen in love with little cafes. Together sometimes we will go and have a laid back lazy kind of a lunch. On rainy days we would explore another café in some narrow street and try their coffees, hot chocolate or something sweet like crepes, pancakes or waffles. Oh not to forget-soup of the day is another favorite thing about cafes.

If you are wondering why am I ranting about cafes then this why? Probably like a year back we had fizzy smoothie on a sunny day when we went to Lake District. A fizzy smoothie-yes! A perfect thirst quencher, I must say. Recently when I was sent to try out Sparkling Ice sparkling water I knew I had to make a fizzy smoothie.

First created in the Pacific Northwest in the early 1990’s, Sparkling Ice® makes a portfolio of Refreshingly Bold TM sparkling waters, teas and lemonades. Bursting with real fruit flavour and just the right amount of fizz, Sparkling Ice delivers 19 irresistible fruit combinations, without all the calories. I used Peach Nectarine to make this smoothie. What’s the difference between peach and nectarine? It doesn’t matter, because they took the best of both and made sweet, juicy bliss.

I feel that there is a perfect balance or fruity taste, sweetness and zing. What’s more, with Sparkling Ice alone containing only 12 calories and packed full with victims and antioxidants - it also fits the bill for those who are trying to watch their well being.  To add in more nutrients I present before you a healthy Green Apple Fizz Smoothie.

Green Apple Fizzy Smoothie is a perfect on-the-go smoothie, I confess. Just put everything in the blender and you are good to go. If you are more on sweeter taste then add honey. Feel free to add in any flaxseeds, almonds, oats, chia seeds to boost the health benefits.

Makes: 1 tall glass

Ingredients:

1 green apple

1 cup of Peach Nectarine

Pinch of black salt

Lemon wedge/slice to garnish

Method:

Chop apple into small pieces. Take 2 tablespoons of apple cubes and keep aside.

In a blender, blend salt, apple, sparkling peach nectarine and blend.

Serve in any tall glass. Garnish with chopped apple and lemon wedge.

Notes:

Make sure that sparkling water is chilled before use.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking Sparking Ice and Wcommunications  for sending Sparkling Water  for review.

Ape Snaks: Coconut Curls: Healthy Snacking

'Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.’ This quote has changed my life in many ways. A lot of motivation to take some important changes in life has now become a habit.  I have started taking baby steps toward good health and better living. Made some important changes in life- like drinking more water, not skipping breakfast, including one apple everyday in my diet and counting my steps.

It’s believed that little workout or exercise is very important for everyone. On weekends I would generally do yoga, lunges, squats and some jumping jacks but on weekdays I hardly get time. So I decided to count my steps; everyone in London who travels by tube walks a lot and if you count your steps you will be motivated to reach and walk more. 10,000 steps a day is my target and I am counting it through a device called Up by Jaw. It’s a small device that is paired with my phone and it tells me everything-my steps, my sleep and also my calorie count. I stay so motivated with this that some day when my steps are low, I would get up and start walking for some time-be it in office or home.

Another thing, please choose your food wisely. Choose salad and fruits over smoothie; choose hummus over ketchup; baked chips over fried ones-oh there are so many such examples. That’s why when Ape Snacks approached me for a review I said yes in one go. The brand was the brainchild of young entrepreneur, Zack Nathan, who is on a mission to make snacking better in the UK. He explains, “With the explosion of “healthy” snacks over the past few years, Brits are clearly hungry for something that they can genuinely feel good about eating; consumers are moving away, rightly so, from traditional fried snacks and are starting to appreciate the numerous health benefits of nature’s wonderful coconut. What we do is provide both these benefits in an easy-to- eat format that is perfect for on-the- go snacking. We know consumers will love our genuinely delicious, but actually healthy, snacks!”

This summer ditch the crisps and pass on the popcorn, as there’s a new deliciously healthy snack in town, coconut curls from ape. Not only are ape snacks completely natural, they contain just two products; 100% coconut and seasoning. Plus they are gluten free, count towards your 5 a day and have no more than 109 calories per packet, so you can munch happy! A great choice for health-conscious snackers, coconut lovers and picnic goers.

The curls are thinly sliced directly from the coconut before being slowly dried to retain their natural flavor and nutritional goodness. They are not fried, have no added sugars or chemicals - and they are even crunchier than chips.These coconut curls, my steps counting device, earphones and walk-just made my life complete. Other ways that I am going to try and use these snacks are on my porridge, salads, soups, rice and pasta. You can use it my following recipes:

-Add in kiwi yogurt dip to add crunch

-sprinkle curls on burnt garlic  pasta

-skip papadamos and serve along rice and curry

-Sprinkle on Strawberry Lassi

-Roll it put with wraps or use it in tacos.

Ape’s coconut curls are available in two flavours: Lightly Salted and Slightly Peppered, with a third variant set to be released in the near future. They are available from Co-Op; Ocado; Whole Foods; PlanetOrganic; As Nature Intended; Harvey Nichols and Revital.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking Ape Snacks  for sending the packets for review. 

Baked Potato Wedges: Two Kinds: Red Chilli and Coriander Powder and Salted

Honestly no meal is complete without side. Can you imagine your pasta dishes without bread on side? Or Indian rice and curry with no side dish? Or burger without fries? No right? That’s why a side is always needed to add on that extra ‘yum effect’ on your plates. A good side is complete when you pair it up with zingy, spicy or sweet chutney, sauce or pickle. Being a foodie I love pairing up my dishes with sauces-. Spread it, pour it, mix it, dip it or pair it up-you always need good sauces in your kitchen. That’s why when I was approached to review and pair Encona Sauces I said yes in one go.

Encona has a range of over 20 delicious sauces and marinades to enjoy. Encona is not a new name or brand for me, I already love its mango chutney and it is always available in my kitchen pantry (no matter what). With Encona you can choose heat at levels, from mild to extra hot, there’s something for everyone! All the sauces are wonderfully versatile. Great as a dipping sauce, a marinade, a cooking ingredient or as a delicious, everyday table sauce for all your favourite foods!  Why not try drizzled into stir-fries, rice dishes, dips and salad dressings. Also great if brushed onto food during grilling or barbecuing, and stirred into soups and stews.

I was sent two new flavours. Encona Peruvian Amarillo Sauce which is a blend of authentic Peruvian Amarillo chillies, roasted onion, spices and herbs creating a sweet, subtle chilli flavour with a hint of garlic – the perfect way for eager taste explorers to get their taste buds tingling without the cost of a plane ticket. I love this with anything and everything- no seriously this one is sooooo amazing that you can use it up in sandwiches, wraps, as salad dressing and what not.

Launching alongside their Peruvian sauce, they have created a Mexican Smokey Jalapeno-A delicious blend of chillies and spices gives the rich sauce a subtle smokey flavour and a warm and fruity taste to compliment your Mexican meals. I paired it up with potato wedges. Not fried but Baked Potato Wedges. Two types. One, plain simple butter and salt roasted and other exotic one roasted with coriander and red chilli powder. Sometimes simplest things are the best- Just potatoes, light spices and a nice dipping sauce.

Butter and Salted potato wedges are crisp on the outside and bit tender on the inside. - A simple & straight forward recipe for a healthier, yet equally satisfying & addictive way to enjoy potatoes. Coriander and red chilli powder wedges is one step above, it is aromatic, richly spiced and flavoursome. No matter which one you choose, you ought to ask for more and more.

Ingredients:

5-7 medium size potatoes

1 tablespoon butter melted

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon coriander powder

Red chilli powder to taste

Method:

Line a baking tray with baking paper or aluminium foil.

Preheat the oven at 180C.

Cut potatoes into wedges. Keep them medium thick.

Take a bowl and put chopped potatoes in it. Add in salt and melted butter.

Mix and make sure every wedge is coated with salt and butter.

Line potato wedges on the sheet keeping some space in between each one.

Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Keep shaking and turning the tray after every 10 minutes.

Enjoy the salted one.

For coriander and red chilli roasted one, heat oil in pan or wok. When oil gets hot add baked potato wedges, red chilli powder, coriander powder and mix. Serve hot.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking Encona and SatellitePR for sending sauces for review.

Beetroot Massala Chaas: Chakunder Ki Chaas: Indian Spiced Buttermilk

So here is the thing. I love beetroot, more because of the colour as I believe that beetroot has no particular taste and is quite bland. It is a vegetable that is less expensive and is loaded with good nutrients and that’s why I like to use it in my recipes a lot. Try this Beetroot Raita with Smoked Green Chilli or Beetroot Lassi.

Today's post is another beetroot recipe- Beetroot Chaas. It is the blend of spices with thick yogurt and grated beetroot and thus the health benefits are immense. Made with water and curd, this drink is perfect to soothe the stomach. As you drink it the cool buttermilk it tends to wash down the spices and calms an irritated stomach lining. Packed with electrolytes and lots of water, chaas is the best thing you can give your body to fight dehydration.  I have made Plain Chaas before and it is the basic recipe. This beetroot chaas was made by me 3 months back and the recipe has been lying in the drafts ever since then. Well, yes I have been really busy these days with full time hectic job and settling in the new flat- but I don’t want to complain about it at all. So let’s talk about this amazing healthy drink.

Beetroot Massala Chaas, a simple that is nutritious and has this beautiful pink colour. You can have this on a hot sunny day, after or before workout; as evening snack or just pair it with heavy lunch.  Basically this is such an easy peasy drink that I don’t know what to write here. Well, I added some dried mint leaves, homemade chaat massala and some salt but you can modify this drink as per your taste.  So here is how to make Beetroot Chaas, my way.

Ingredients:

1 cup yogurt/dahi

2 cups cold water

4 tablespoons grated beetroot

1 teaspoon ginger juice/adrak

1 green chilli deseeded

1/2 teaspoon roasted cumin powder/bhuna jeera

Black salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon Homemade chaat massala

1 teaspoon dried mint leaves/sukha pudhina

Method:

Mix everything together in the blender Mix well till it is frothy.

Sieve the drink and serve.

Notes:

If you don’t have dried mint leaves, use fresh. Just used 4-5 crushed mint leaves.

Green chilli is optional but it brings great taste.

You can use low fat or full fat yogurt.

Strawberry Chutney: Indian Style Sweet and Spicy Chutney

Last weekend was super fun and those of you who are following me on Instagram or Facebook would know what i am talking about. Yeah, finally the wish to visit a farm and pick some fruits and veggies turned into reality. And i have gone crazy sharing pictures about the farm visit. Today's post is about that too. People, if you are near London, have car or not you must visit this farm called as Park Side farm. It is easily accessible by tubes as well and it one must to do thing in London on weekends. Whatever you want in a farm visit is there, a picnic area, push chairs, baskets, parking and above all the farm is so huge that you will never feel that there are too many people.

Clear sky and little breezy, looked like god was setting the mood for an amazing day. We picked strawberries, raspberries, plums, green onions, broad beans and French beans. You have many other options as well. Strawberries were just sooooo beautiful. Dark red in colour, sweet and perfectly ripe; waiting to be picked. Strawberries just replicate spring and summer for me.

Basically we got over excited and picked up too many strawberries. And we did consume it in too many forms. Mixed it up with no oil healthy granola and had it in breakfast. Blended with yogurt and made this amazing Strawberry Lassi. Dipped in chocolate ganache and had it like a dessert as well. Too much of strawberry in two days and it already started getting mushy. I had many ideas to use it, like make a syrup, jam or ice cream. But then when I was looking for the recipes I saw most of the recipes need lot of sugar, which was a no no for me. 

Looking for more strawberry recipes? Check these out:

Strawberry Fools

2 minutes Strawberry Chutney

No sugar Strawberry Chocolate Ice-cream,

Eggless Strawberry Chocolate Cake

Why make a healthy nutrient fruit so unhealthy by adding so much of sugar? Too much pressure on brain was applied and finally I turned these strawberries into spicy and aromatic Indian style chutney.

This in simple words in more like a jam but it is not over sweet; it is a mix of sweet and tang. Then I added in Indian spices such as fennel seeds and cumin seeds (saunf and jeera), both of them have great fragrant. The sharpness was added through slit green chillies, which just balances it all together. Also a little bit of ginger and lemon juice will do wonders to this chutney. But again, like most of the Indian chutneys this too can be made as per your taste and preference. Just play around and give strawberry chutney or pickle a try, skip jam that is loaded with sugar, that’s all I can say.

What to have this chutney? Well almost anything and everything. Pair it up with parathas, sandwiches, dosa, idli, kebabs, toast, khari, khakra, nachos, chips, crackers, biscuits, warps, frankies....yeah basically anything.

Ingredients:

1 kg strawberries

3 tablespoons jaggery/gud

1 teaspoon fennel seeds/saunf

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds/jeera

1 teaspoon oil

1 tablespoon grated ginger

Juice from 1 lemon

3 green chillies slit

Salt to taste

Method:

Remove the stems from strawberries. Wash and pat dry.

Take a fork and mash strawberries roughly in a bowl.

Heat a pan and add oil.

When oil is hot add green chillies.

Add fennel seeds and cumin seeds.

Turn the flame to low. Add in strawberries and jaggery. Cook covered for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes add in ginger, lemon juice and salt.

Cook again uncovered for 10 minutes.

Let the chutney cool down. It must become mushy and no water must be visible.

Notes:

You might need to add more jaggery if strawberries are sour. Mine was over ripened so I used less jaggery.

You can use sugar instead of jaggery.

Store it in air tight container for 2 weeks in the fridge.

Chocolate Bark: Nuts and Seeds Chocolate Bark: Healthy Snack

Chocolate...

More and more chocolate...

Oh yes!

Chocolate doesn’t ask silly questions, it understands. I am a huge sucker of chocolates. Not the sweet milk chocolates that melt in your mouth but the dark ones whose bitter taste linger on your tongue. Can you have coffee that is overpowering sweet? You need to have that strong bitter taste of coffee, isn’t it? Same is what I feel about chocolate. Chocolate isn’t a chocolate if it is not bitter. But hey that’s my opinion.

Looking for chocolate recipes. Check these out:

Chocolate Cake without butter
One Bowl Chocolate Brownies
Almond Chocolate Fudge
Vanilla Chocolate Marble Cake

You will always get huge blocks of good quality dark chocolate in my fridge. After meals or just when my heart wants, I grab a little piece of chocolate to uplift my mood :-). Todays post is like a quick makeover to plain chocolate. A healthy makeover. A nutty makeover. Chocolate Barks With Seeds and Nuts.

Who can resist dark velvety chocolate with crunch of nuts? Use your favorite nuts and chocolate to make these delicious barks. Spread the melted chocolate depending on how thick you want your bars to be. I like them thin, so I spread a thin layer. I used handful of pumpkin seeds, walnuts and sunflower seeds. But there is no rule of thumb here, use any nuts such as almonds, cashews, raisins and even dried fruits like apricot, berries and dates. I used more dark chocolate but again feel free to use whatever you like more-white, milk or dark chocolate.

Have it like office snack, workout snack, give to your kids or gift it to your friends and family. The thing is it looks very rich and royal but the efforts that go in are minimal. Birthday, anniversary, house warming, valentine’s day, mother’s day, father’s day, christmas, diwali or just visiting someone’s home, these chocolate barks are always the great idea. Trust me, just use a fancy tray or plate, pack it up, ribbon it up and you have the best DIY chocolate gift ready.

Looking for DIY gift ideas? Check these out:
Movie Hamper
Lemon Sugar Scrub
Fridge Deodorant

Ingredients:

100 grams dark chocolate packs-2

100 grams milk chocolate pack-1

1/2 cup mix of nuts and seeds (see notes)

Method:

Melt dark and milk chocolate in microwave for 30 seconds. You can use double boiler method as well.

Line a tray with parchment paper.

Pour melted chocolate on parchment paper. Spread the chocolate to thin layer.

Sprinkle seeds and nuts on it. Take a toothpick and mix nuts in the melted chocolates.

Refrigerate it in the freezer for 1 hour or in fridge overnight.

Break into pieces and enjoy.

Notes:

I used 4 tablespoons each of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and walnuts.

Use a good quality chocolate. I used Godiva Dark Chocolate Bar 72%.

You can also use square or rectangle tin to make these bars.

Store in air tight container in the fridge. Stays well for 1 month.

Serving suggestions:

You can use them for chocolate cake decorations. Like shards here.

Take a piece and melt in your coffees, hot chocolate or plain milk.

Corn On The Cob Kebabs: Corn On Sticks: Summer Appetizer: Vegetarian Kebabs

Who doesn’t like the colour yellow?

Sunshine...

Sunflowers...

Brightness...

Just the colour yellow makes me smile. Every summer I bring in lots of yellow lemons to make lemonade or sweet corn to have some charred corn on the cob at home. The yellow pearl like kernels sitting close to each other is a beauty in itself and then when you roast it, it looks even more beautiful.

These vegetarian kebabs. Or corn on the cob. Corn on skewers is one great summer appetizer or starter that will surely please the crowd. I was just wondering what to pair these kebabs with and then I thought of using the colourful box I was sent from The Berry Company special tea range.  Black, white, green, red and yellow all made form natural berries with no "yucky"bits.  

If this wasn’t enough, I must tell you all their drinks are:

Gluten Free

No Artificial Colourings

No Artificial Additives

No Artificial Sweeteners

No Artificial Preservatives

No GMO's

Dairy Free

Their Tea Range is a water based drink mixed with tea extracts and great fruity flavours.

Black Tea has been blended with elderflower and lemon.  A prefect thirst quencher.

Green Tea juice is mixed with aroina berry and blueberry. A drink full of goodness.

White Tea has been merged with peaches. An exotic and unique drink mix.

Red Tea muddled up with cranberries and grapes. A real tasty kick.

Now comes my favorite Yellow Tea. Yellow Tea is rare type of tea which is native to China. Both the leaves and infusion are yellow in colour. Dint I tell I am in summery yellow bright mood? This tea is mingled with coconut water and lemon which gives a super unique taste, you will surely be hooked. All you tea addicts and coconut fans must give this tea range a try.

Chilled yellow tea and spicy corns sticks is just like pair made in heaven and not to forget the yellow theme ;-). Oh these corn-on-the-cob kebabs are sweet, crunchy, lemony and so summery. To add in some extra bling I used juicy cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and onions, don’t they look beautiful? Feel free to add other veggies like aubergine, zucchini, and boiled potatoes.  For a slighter sweeter taste use fruits like kiwi, orange or berries. The twists and modifications are endless, it can have grated cheese, spicy spices, Italian herbs, yogurt dressing or can be made simple with lemon juice as well.

Like me, make it simple if you have less time in hand. I just made use of lemon juice, butter, salt and black pepper and it was uh-mazing! Tangy, spicy and buttery-what else you need?

Ingredients:

2 corns

1 bell pepper (any colour)

1 onion

4 cherry tomatoes

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt to taste

1 teaspoon black pepper powder (or to taste)

1 tablespoon butter

4 cups water

Method:

Soak the wooden skewers in water overnight or for atleast 2 hours.

Preheat the oven at 180C. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil.

Remove husk and skin from the corns. Wash and cut each corn into 3 parts.

Put water to boil in a large pot. When water starts boiling throw corn pieces in the water. Let it boil for 1-2 minutes. Drain on kitchen towel.

Cut bell pepper and onion into cubes.

Prepare the dressing. Mix butter, salt, lemon juice and black pepper in a bowl.

Arrange corn pieces, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers and onion on the skewers.

With the help of a brush apply the dressing all over the kebabs sticks. Arrange skewers on the lined sheet and grill for 40-50 minutes.

Keep turning the kebabs, so that you get burnt corn from all the sides.

Serve hot.

Notes:

You can use olive oil instead of butter.

Throw in some italian herbs for Italian taste.

Use chaat massala (Indian tangy spice mix) for Indian taste.

Serving suggestions: Serve it with any dip.

Pair it up with any summer cooler and drinks.

Disclaimer: I was not paid or told to write positive review. The post is based on my experience and is unbiased. Thanking The Berry Company for sending drinks  for review.

Beetroot Lassi: Chukander Ki Lassi: Beet Smoothie: Summer Cooler

So, here I made another summer cooler.

Oh it is pink.

Refreshing and beautiful.

I made us Beetroot Lassi.

Roasted Beetroot Lassi.

You must know by now that I am addicted to roasting fruits and veggies. This is the best thing one can do in the kitchen. When you roast a fruit or a vegetable, it brings out its natural sweetness which gives a dish a fresh dimension.

And BTW this below pic is my first attempt on capturing steam :) Do you like it? Please comment :)

Check out more roasted summer recipes:

Roasted Orange Lemonade

Roasted Pomegranate Lemonade

Roasted Kiwi Raita

Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

So what is lassi? In simple words it is a smoothie made with yogurt/curd (dahi) as a base. To it you can add fruits or make it plain with just sugar and water. I have prepared low fat (sugar free) strawberry lassi before and the world famous mango lassi too. But this is the first time I ever experimented with vegetable lassi and I am so glad that it happened. Lassi which is made with beetroot, ah! I mean look at the colour, isn’t it gorgeous and summery?

You can use plain beet as well, however I truly recommend to burn or smoke beetroot, it will bring a pleasant taste and you will be hooked- I bet! You can simply roast the beet directly on the hob, or you can grill in the oven at 200C for 10 minutes. Hob method is quick and easy-so you decide :)

After that you need to do is just blend in milk, yogurt, beetroot, sugar and water for few seconds and the lassi is ready. Oh yeah, I added rose water for aroma, you can add cardamom (elyachi) too. So yup that’s it. Serve it with or without ice cubes, but serve it chilled. It is summer after all. Bring on some sipping :)

Ingredients:

1 small beetroot/chukandar

1 cup yogurt/dahi

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons milk

4-5 ice cubes

1 teaspoon rose water

Method:

Peal the beetroot. Wash and roast it on fire till you see burnt spots on the skin. Let it cool.

In the blender blend everything together for 30 seconds.

Sieve the blended lassi through a fine sieve. This step is optional, but it gives nice smooth texture to lassi.

Serve chilled.

Notes: If using oven, cover the beetroot with foil. Grill at 200C for 10 minutes.

You might need to add more sugar depending on sourness of yogurt.

For thinner lassi, use 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup yogurt.
You can use low, skimmed or full fat yogurt.

Serving suggestions:

For a party, serve in fancy wine glasses. Garnish with rose petals or chopped nuts.

It is filling too, you can give it your kids as an evening snack, or have it as post-workout or gym snack.