Seventy-four recipes of making lassi. That’s something most of the people have unheard of. The idea that came out of compulsion has made the food lovers really enthralled. The seasoned travel trade entrepreneur, Radha Bhatia has penned a book titled “Lassis of India- Smoothies With a Twist”. And the most cherished part of the book is that it has bagged the ‘Best in the world 2020’ award in the category ‘Drinks With No Alcohol’, Food & Drink Culture at the coveted Gourmand World Award. The book previously was the winner from India in the Gourmand World Awards in the category ‘Non-Alcoholic Drinks’.
The author, Radha Bhatia is an entrepreneur in the travel and trade domain with over 45 years of significant industry presence. She decided to write a book on ‘Lassis of India’ to reach out to the younger generation who are influenced by western culture and always talk about smoothies. To encourage the children to read the book it has been titled- ‘Lassis of India- Smoothies with a Twist’. The book unfurls with traditional ‘Panchamrit’ and its historical background citing the author’s passion about Indian culture and cooking.
The book is a compilation of 74 recipes of lassi curated by her, which includes traditional recipes from different states of India to modern-day smoothies. The book is just not a compilation of recipes but is a grandmother’s labour of love as it incorporates five generations of stories, wisdom and kitchen secrets. The book is an amalgamation of recipes and stories and has undergone extensive research that explores Indian cultural roots, local customs, climate and cuisines, featuring a compilation of 17 traditional recipes from various states blending with the local food and climate. The traditional recipes comprise the ever-popular Punjabi ‘Meethi Lassi’ to the ‘Talicha More’ of Tamil Nadu; each with their unique taste and health benefits.
The other 57 recipes are lassis with a twist – prepared with herbs, fruits and nuts, which appeal to a younger generation, keeping the taste buds of children in mind. Since these lassis or smoothies are freshly prepared and don’t have any harmful preservatives, they are tasty as well as healthy. All the recipes in the book are simple to follow and intended for those who love to cook at home. As the author explains, “By spreading the word about these healthy beverages, I hope to pass on this priceless legacy to the new generation and help them live a healthier life.” Further talking about the importance of indigenous products she adds, “When I was growing up, it was difficult to imagine a meal without a tall glass of lassi. The yogurt based elixir was not a peripheral element of our dining culture, but occupied centre-stage. My eyes lit-up each time I looked at my grandmother’ Smt. Chandra kishori Bhatia, fondly called Ammaji of Mussoorie, churning milk in large handi with a madhani (wooden churner) which we are soon introducing in our property.
Also talking about the initiative taken by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be vocal for local, she adds that now the entire world is going to look up to India for its food, culture & tradition. Indian food & ayurveda will catch the world’s attention in the years to come. For instance turmeric, basmati rice, spices and all kinds of herbs, all are home grown, which the world enjoys. In my book, we have talked about traditional recipes, which is particularly meaningful in the current COVID pandemic since the traditional recipes contain herbs and spices that are natural immunity boosters. Parents can encourage children to try out these simple, health enriching recipes with ingredients that are readily available in every Indian kitchen. This will not only keep them engaged, but also help them develop a taste for healthy beverages.” So, let’s have your romance continue with the Indian tradition of yogurt drinks.