Description
This recipe for Roasted Mango or Banana Lassi offers a delightful twist on the traditional Indian yogurt-based drink by roasting the fruit with brown sugar, vanilla, and cardamom to enhance its natural sweetness and add depth of flavor. Served chilled, this creamy and refreshing beverage is perfect for a summer treat or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Fruit
- 2 ripe medium mangoes or bananas, peeled and cut into large chunks
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1 green cardamom pod, lightly crushed
Liquid & Blend
- 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup ice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the fruit.
- Prepare Fruit for Roasting: Place the cut mango or banana chunks into a small ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the fruit. Add the vanilla bean seeds and pod, along with the lightly crushed cardamom pod, then stir gently to coat the fruit evenly with the sugar and spices.
- Roast the Fruit: Roast the fruit in the oven, stirring every 5 minutes to prevent sticking. Continue until the fruit is soft and most of the liquid released has evaporated and started to bubble and thicken. This will take about 25 to 30 minutes for bananas, or about 40 minutes for mangoes. Avoid overcooking to prevent burning or sticking. Once done, discard the vanilla bean pod and cardamom. Allow the fruit mixture to cool completely, then refrigerate until chilled. This step can be done several hours or even the day before serving.
- Blend the Lassi: Take ¾ cup of the chilled roasted fruit and place it in a blender. Add the plain whole milk yogurt, whole milk, and ice. Blend until smooth, scraping down the blender sides once or twice for even mixing. Serve the lassi immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- You can use either ripe mangoes or bananas depending on your preference; the roasting times differ slightly.
- The roasting process enhances the natural sweetness and adds a caramelized depth to the fruit.
- Discard vanilla bean pods and cardamom before blending to avoid any tough or bitter bits.
- Lassi is best served chilled and freshly blended for optimal freshness and flavor.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead by roasting and chilling the fruit in advance, making it convenient for entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 to 40 minutes (depending on fruit choice)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Roasted mango lassi, Banana lassi, Indian beverage, yogurt drink, roasted fruit lassi, cardamom lassi, vanilla lassi
