Coconut and Lime Lassi

I am a fool.

No, no, no, you say. You're not a fool, why would you say such things about yourself.

But nay, let me assure you that I am a fool. Why, you ask? Well, it's perfectly simple. I love lassis. Whenever I go to an Indian restaurant, someone invariably orders a lassi and offers everyone else a sip, and it's wonderful. I never order one for myself because they're about $4 for a tiny glass and I'm too thrifty to pay that for a non-alcoholic drink. So I just watch the lucky joe who's freer with his cash than I am sit back and sip his lassi in perfect contentment.

So that makes you cheap, you say, but not a fool. [At which point, I correct you and say that I'm "thrifty," not "cheap."] It makes me a fool because do you know what a lassi is? It's basically diluted yogurt with sugar or salt. THAT'S IT. I could have been making lassis for DECADES. What a fool I've been!! I thought there was something tricky in it, like rice milk, something that I'd have to actually remember to get from the store and never would remember until I got home, slapping myself on the forehead.

Recipes seem to vary to taste based on how much water to yogurt, and then how much sugar/salt to the base. I saw one that was basically 1 cup of yogurt to 1 cup of water/ice cubes (to your liking), and then 2 tablespoons sugar in that with a pinch of salt, all blended together in a blender. But I think it really depends on your personal preference. Taste as you go. I guess a traditional lassi is actually salty, not sweet, but I may have to work up to that one. I had some coconut milk to use up, and it was hot today so I felt like something with a little more zing in it. I'm putting the recipe here, but I really just eyeballed it.

Coconut and Lime Lassi

Makes 2 drinks

1/2 cup coconut milk
1 1/2 cups yogurt
2 tablespoons sugar, plus more to taste
Juice from 1 lime
Thinly sliced lime circles for garnish, optional

Put coconut milk, yogurt, sugar, and lime juice in a blender. Blend until even and frothy, about 30 seconds. Add more sugar until it’s sweet enough to your liking. Pour into a pitcher or glasses, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

UPDATE: Peach & coconut is also a great combo.

Smoothies!!!

Here's my favorite smoothie recipe. I think you can use it as a base and then add/subtract things you'd rather have:

In a blender, add the following: 

• A handful of ice cubes (maybe a cup's worth?)
• Half to a full avacado - I use this instead of banana because I loathe the taste of banana. I love how this makes the smoothie nice and creamy. I honestly don't think that you can taste the avacado, but some may.
• 1 serving of protein powder - My favorite is the vanilla burbon flavor by Tera's Whey that I've found at Whole Foods here in Madison. If you get one that has a lot of fake sugars in it, it will make your smoothie extra sweet, maybe too sweet. So adjust according to sweetness preference. I like mine less sweet. 
• 1 cups or so of frozen mixed berries - Or substitute with your favorite frozen fruit. I think using frozen is key so you get that smoothie texture. 
• Some sort of milk or milk alternative to cover - I prefer a vanilla flavored or unsweetned rice milk. This choice too will add/subtract sweetness and creaminess to the smoothie. You could also try juice here if you prefer.

Then blend and add more milk/alternative to desired thickness and enjoy!

You could also add other 'boosters' for health. For example, I like to add ground flax seed for fiber and omega-3s. Or you could add vitamin or wheat grass powder. The choices are endless.

Hope this helps get you started!!!!