Raspberry Lassi

Raspberry Lassi

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I know I shouldn’t post information like this, but I am not a Breakfast Eater. Please, don’t tell me breakfast is The Most Important Meal of the Day. I have read the reports and do not need to be reminded Breakfast Eaters consume fewer calories throughout the day, snack less, have fewer cravings and, if I’m not mistaken, are hardly ever bothered by split ends.

Me and my frizzy bedhead have tried to face Breakfast upon rising. Many times. But the mere thought of consuming solid food before I’ve been vertical for a good hour makes me queasy and makes my already damaged mop curl. Liquid, in latte form, is all I can handle.

To make things worse I lose my normally healthy post-morning appetite the moment the thermometer reaches 25°C (77°F). I once lived for a month on watermelon, iced coffee and gelato when backpacking through Europe during a bone-melting heat wave.

But I have to set a good example here. And since the temperature is finally warming up, I thought I’d share my hot weather breakfast solution — a lassi. It’s liquid, it’s cool and it does down easy any time of day.

I start with frozen fruit — see the frost on the raspberry below — so I don’t need ice. It might be a quirk of the Non-Breakfast Eater, but I find ice waters the flavours down too much. I also go easy on the sugar, adding only enough to take the edge off the yogurt. A sprig of lemon balm elevates the drink to almost Cocktail Status, but to be honest, its just window dressing.

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So, here’s my recipe for a refreshing berry drink. Healthier than gelato. Faster than a latte and hearty enough to constitute Breakfast. With a capital B.

What do you eat for breakfast in hot weather? Or are you like me, a member of the much maligned Non-Breakfaster Eater Society?


Raspberry Lassi
Printable recipe

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 2 to 4 tbsp vanilla sugar (or 2 to 4 tbsp white sugar with 1/4 tsp vanilla extract)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, starting with only 2 tbsp sugar. *
  2. Taste and adjust sugar as needed. Blend again if you add more sugar.
  3. Pour into glasses. No ice necessary since the fruit is frozen.

Variations

  • 1/2 cup frozen raspberries and 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen peaches
  • 1/2 cup frozen mango and 1/2 cup frozen peaches…

*Note: Plain yogurt has no sugar and raspberries can be quite tart. If using sweet fruit like strawberries or flavoured yogurt, reduce the amount of sugar drastically. I found 2 tbsp to be nice with raspberries but my husband wanted it sweeter.

No Comments
  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 11:07h, 28 July

    Does calling your smoothie a lassi make it sexy?

    Personally I couldn't survive without breakfast. It, and generally all forms of breakfast food, are my favourite meals. But Hubby and one of my girls are lucky if they eat before noon. Unless, of course, you offer them a smoothie/lassi. Then they go all out.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 11:07h, 28 July

    Does calling your smoothie a lassi make it sexy?

    Personally I couldn't survive without breakfast. It, and generally all forms of breakfast food, are my favourite meals. But Hubby and one of my girls are lucky if they eat before noon. Unless, of course, you offer them a smoothie/lassi. Then they go all out.

  • Angelique from Bitchin' Kitchen
    Posted at 11:30h, 28 July

    Hmmm I usually have a smoothie. I just bought this magic bullet thing. I throw in some frozen berries and orange juice and call it a morning! This recipe looks awesome I may give it a go!

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 12:35h, 28 July

    Cheryl A, I always think of smoothies as having bananas in them, but if you're okay with the label, I am too.

    Funny about breakfast the breakfast divide. I don't like most breakfast food beyond fruit, yogurt and granola. Okay. And pancakes, but not before 10:30!

    Angelique, I like the orange juice idea. That would be great with peaches and reduce the need for sugar even more.

    I bought a Magic Bullet for this kind of thing and found it didn't work all that well. How do you like yours? I'm back to using the blender.

  • Cheryl Sternman Rule
    Posted at 12:53h, 28 July

    I love smoothies/lassis, though I generally make them later in the day so I can justify leaving the stick blender and accompanying pitcher in the sink for my husband to clean up when he gets home.

    And I'm not just a Breakfast Eater. I'm a BREAKFAST EATER.

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 13:05h, 28 July

    Cheryl Sternman Rule wrote: "I generally make them [smoothies / lassis] later in the day so I can justify leaving the stick blender and accompanying pitcher in the sink for my husband to clean up when he gets home."

    Cheryl, you can DO that?! I'd be faced with a congealed mess at midnight and the argument that I made the mess, I should clean it up. Man. Poor Andrew's losing bonus points even though he's right.

  • carolyn erickson
    Posted at 13:31h, 28 July

    Calling it a lassi DOES make it sexy! I've never heard the term before, but now I'm going to use it to impress my family and friends the next time I make smoothies. 🙂

    Charmian, is it really just now getting hot in Canada?

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 13:45h, 28 July

    Carolyn, glad you like the term lassi. A mango lassi is a classic Indian drink made with mangoes (of course), yogurt and buttermilk. I love them but find the beverage varies widely from restaurant to restaurant.

    And to answer your question — Honest. Today is the first really summer-like day of the year here in Southern Ontario. I can't speak for the rest of the country, but here it's been one crappy summer. Usually July is hot and I'm wishing I could shed my skin. This year it's been more like autumn. In fact, the plants are so confused one of my burning bushes has started to turn colour already.

  • Morgs
    Posted at 16:15h, 28 July

    I am NOT a breakfast eater. I never have been and never will be. I'm the same as you and get queasy if I eat pretty much anything too early. When it is a special occasion and there is a big breakfast/brunch thing I cannot eat until at least 11am. The only thing that I really can stomach is smoothies. Not sure why…must be because they're so refreshing. I would love to try your recipe!

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 21:00h, 28 July

    I love breakfast…always the same thing though, thick slice of homemade healthy whole grain bread-lightly toasted-light smear of p. butter and black current jam and a large coffee! I ene start thinking how good it will taste when I am falling asleep the night before…I eat early too 5:30 am every day and then off for my walk…

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 08:26h, 29 July

    Morgs, I'm so glad I'm not alone on this. Funny how some people wake up starving and all I want to do is bury my head under the pillow. Hope the recipe appeals to you pre-11 o'clock.

    Anonymous, I wonder if being a morning person ties in with loving breakfast? I'm a nighthawk and have only seen 5:30 AM under extreme duress (like an early morning international flight).

    HEY BREAKFAST EATERS — are you early risers? Is this the key?

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 13:29h, 29 July

    Yes, I am a breakfast eater and a morning person. Not the chipper-you-want-to-smack-them-upside-the-head morning person, but I do prefer mornings over any other time of the day. Must be a throwback to my years as a competitive swimmer.

  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 13:29h, 29 July

    Yes, I am a breakfast eater and a morning person. Not the chipper-you-want-to-smack-them-upside-the-head morning person, but I do prefer mornings over any other time of the day. Must be a throwback to my years as a competitive swimmer.

  • Sara
    Posted at 15:23h, 29 July

    This looks great! I am also not a breakfast person and have been doing fruit smoothies. This sounds like a nice change up from my routine.

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 19:59h, 29 July

    Cheryl A, compared to me, all morning people are chipper-want-to-smack-them-upside-the-head types. Thanks for the feedback. I will continue to gather data for my theory.

    Sara, if I can down these in the morning, anyone can. They are a nice change from cereal or toast. Hope you enjoy yours!

  • Kevin
    Posted at 14:57h, 03 August

    That lassi looks nice and cool and refreshing and good!