Cucumber Lassi

Being a new blogger, Iam slowly getting accustomed to all the blog events.Its really fun participating it.

Here is my entry for the event Tomato Blues-Summer Spirits-

Its an event where all the food bloggers especially from USA look forward to it.I loved this theme as after coming to US only I discovered my Love towards Summer... as I was fed up with winter and that freezing Jacket..I have realized that Summer is only the perfect time of enjoyment!

It has really made earth come back to life after a long cold winter."And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."

Humans have ended their hibernation phase and are seen out on Jogging track moving along with their cute pets.Sun has made nature to wear a beautiful green gown.Variety of pansies have started blooming.Flowers are dancing on vernal winds,Bees and butterflies have started humming.Also Summer-season to have the king of fruits - mango, reminds us with lovely recipes of ice-creams,cakes, pastries,juices and lot more....

Cucumber Lassi is a very refreshing drink and perfect way to end your dinner as during summer due to scorching heat of sun our hunger is reduced to some extent.We love if somebody offers us glass full of coolant,after spicy dinner.So here's recipe of cucumber lassi-to be enjoyed in summer..Before I start chattering on my recipe..I would like to quote here that cucumber has wide applications in health benefits.Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

Fresh and crunchy cucumbers(Botanical name-Cucumis sativus) even though mostly composed of water, they still pack a lot of nutrition.The flesh of cucumbers is a very good source of vitamins A, C, and folic acid which is widely used in this recipe thereby making it highly valuable.Also The hard skin is rich in fiber and a variety of minerals including  magnesium, silica, molybdenum and potassium.It is an excellent source of silica, which is a trace mineral that contributes to the strength of our connective tissue and promotes joint health.

Cucumbers are effective when used for various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn.It helps splitting and spoiling of nails of fingers and toes.Also due to presence of sulphur and silicon it stimulates hair growth.  They also contain ascorbic and caffeic acids.  These acids prevent water retention and keep our body hydrated,acts as diuretic.Cures diabetes and reduces cholesterol levels in the body. That may explain why when cucumbers are applied topically they are often helpful for swollen eyes, burns, and dermatitis.  They fight cancers,controls Blood Pressure,Is beneficial for teeth and gums.Cucumbers aids digestion and treat tapeworms that harbour our stomach.It relives gout and arthritis.It aids in weight loss due to its large amount of water content.

Enjoy and celebrate summer with this beautiful recipe-Cucumber Lassi-in order to derive maximum health benefits and live healthy life!

CUCUMBER LASSI

Ingredients:
3-4 small cucumbers.
2 cups sweet curd.
5-6 Pudina leaves or Coriander sticks.
salt as per your taste.
1/4th tsp of Black pepper powder.
1/4th tsp of Cumin powder.
5-6 Ice cubes

Method:
1)Peel 1 cucumber and cut it into small pieces or cubes.
2)Now make slices of remaning cucumbers.
3)Cook these slices on heat by adding 2 cups of water untill they change their color and appear to be cooked and become soft in texture.
4)Remove it from heat and Allow it to cool.
5)Grind those slices in mixer or blender..
6)To grinded mixture add blended sweet curd,salt,chopped pudina leaves or finely chopped coriander leaves.
7)Mix everything together nicely.
8)Add ice -cubes to it.
9)Now add pinch of cumin powder and Black pepper powder.
10)Pour it in glass.
11)Now decorate your drink by placing chopped pieces of cucumber on top of it.
12)Enjoy your drink chilled...and offer it to your guests...Iam sure they are bound to love it.

Note:You can also add buttermilk masala to it. This adds more taste to your lassi.You can buy masala readymade from any Indian shop or can prepare at home.
Method to prepare it at home.(Take all ingredients in the quantity as per your taste-Iodised salt,Black salt,Cumin,Dry ginger,Black pepper,turmeric,asafoetida...all must be in powdered form)