tuesday tip: HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN LASSI

Bring on the fall festivities with this Healthy Pumpkin Lassi made with pumpkin puree + non-fat plain greek yogurt + frozen banana + some delicious spices.

If you are wondering what a Lassi is…here you are!

Lassi is a popular traditional yogurt based drink that originated in India. Lassi is a blend of yoghurt, water, spices and sometimes fruit.

So there it is! The most common one is mango and it is really good.

We, the Clifford’s, have been known to really put down a good Indian Cuisine of Chicken Tikka Masala…papadum….basmati rice….and ALWAYS the random vegetable dish [which never disappoints].

In fact, one of the things we miss most about New York City is the Indian food!!! Utah has some great places…but New York- man. The differing types of Indian you can find. Unreal.

When we visited our friends, the Matheny’s, there after we were first married; and probably even before we knew what Indian food WAS- they introduced us to “the indian place with chili lights in a trailer on 1st ave”. I hope hope hope it is still open. I mean, you can’t beat that ambiance. It’s one of four Indian restaurants perched two-by-two on First Avenue between East Fifth and East Sixth Street — the last vestiges of downtown Manhattan’s “Curry Row.” It’s called Panna ii. http://www.pannatwo.com/

PICTURE THIS:

As you walk up to the restuarant but are still a baseball throw away….two men standing outside are shouting at you to come to their restuarant. You’ve got to be strong because you will always disappoint one of them!

When you eenie meeny miney moe it, and you walk up to your chosen host, you then wait near the attached trailer for maybe 45 min – 1 hour because they don’t take reservations.

When it is finally your turn…you take off any extra layers of clothing you can so you can shimmy down the skinny one aisle to your seat.

Then, once at your seat…you find yourself ping ponging off the people around you..just trying to sit down, hoping your purse doesn’t become swallowed up in the dark. [totally covid approved, clearly!]

You can’t hear the waitor because the Techno/Indian music is really hopping and blaring

You can’t visually SEE the menu because those sweet Chili lights mixed with colorful christmas lights mixed with small patio bulb lights overhead are scattered and very colorful.

So you order whatever the waitor hears…or think he hears.

Then you enjoy yourself with your thoughts and the music and hope and pray you don’t have to use the potty because it is really really small.

Doesn’t that sound so fun?!…but really. It is sooooo fun and quite the experience. And if you ever make it to New York and Panna ii is still open [or any of their fun neighbors] you have to go!

OK OK, now to our Tuesday tip! This week is a pumpkin lassi–

INGREDIENTS:

• pumpkin puree
  • can be from a can or fresh if you’re feelin it
• frozen banana
  • this is the sweetener and also allows it to be cold and thick!
  • pro tip: freeze them in a bag with the PEEL REMOVED. If you freeze it with the peel it will be almost impossible to remove the peel once its frozen
• Yogurt
  • I use Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
  • I’m sure you could use any plain yogurt you wanted. Or sub for dairy free. What makes a lassi is the tang from the yogurt so don’t go crazy on the sweetened versions.
• Vanilla extract
• Maple Syrup
  • could also use date paste or honey
• Sea salt
• Unsweetened almond milk
  • could sub any milk!
  • PRO TIP: freeze the almond milk so it is in nice ice cubes for you which will make any drink smoothie(ish) and not watery!
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Cinnamon
• Almond butter [optional]

PS. We love our blendtec if you haven’t heard. Its th

STEPS

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STEP #1: Blend ingredients together! Sprinkle the top with cinnamon and whipped cream if you are feeling fancy.

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