Growing up in a hill station, I was not used to having cool drinks , ice creams or buttermilk expect in summer which used to last just for a month. But when we moved down, buttermilk seemed to be the hot favourite and was sometimes even served when we used to visit friends on weekends. It used to be so soothing after travelling in the hot sun to visit them.
In the place where I live now, come summer , there springs up a number of buttermilk stands that offer free buttermilk to one and all. They are called ‘Neer More pandhal‘. Make shift stalls are put up on the road side and the buttermilk is distributed in disposable tumblers.Huge earthen pots are used to store the buttermilk.
This concept of distributing free buttermilk is in vogue for a long, long time. During the rule of kings, people used to travel by foot and so to quench their thirst, such stalls would be a permanent place for travellers to rest a while and have something to drink and re-energise themselves. There were also some places where the people could stay,free of cost,over night and carry on their journey the next day.In the later days, this concept changed.
Now a days, in many cities / villages, free buttermilk stands are put up during festive season…
Coming to the recipe for the day with the theme – Cooking from West Bengal, I made this sharbat. Though winter has set in, it is quite hot during the day and this sharbar is a natural way to cool the system…
I used :
Fresh yogurt – 1 cup
Mint leaves and coriander leaver – a fistful
Black salt – a pinch
Sugar – 1 teaspoon
Chaat masala – 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin powder- 1/2 teaspoon
Green chillies – 2 ,chopped
Salt to taste
- Blend the coriander leaves, mint leaves,green chillies to a fine paste.
- Put in the yogurt and all the other ingredients and blend well.
- Add water to adjust the consistency. It should be quite watery.
- Serve chilled.
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Bon Appetit…
wow yummy and healthy sharbat…
Healthy recipe with yogurt!!Sounds delicious!!
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Wish I could live in a place where summer only lasts for a month 🙂
Looks sooo good.. such tempting pics.
We get the free butter milk during chittirai fest here. This combinations sounds delicious…
Yoghurt sharbats are my favorite dessert. Thanks for posting 🙂
healthy,delicious and cooling..
WHo will say no to this healthy drink, even its too chilled here i dont bother to have a glass full of this drink.
Masala chaas <3 A gujju staple too. Loved the mint introduction 🙂
very healthy and refreshing!! love the tumbler in which you have served!!
Sowmya
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Ongoing Event – Let's Party – Eggless Bakes and Treats
this savory yogurt drink is so new to me
Well buttermilk is such an integral part of our life in Madras..:)..I guess the kala namak and chat masala gives a real twist..