On a sweltering summer evening in Hyderabad, India I walked out of a school compound and into a rickshaw. With my limited knowledge of Hindi, I asked the driver to take a friend and I to a nearby restaurant. As we swerved in and out of buses–passing bikers, stray cows, and street venders–I tried to savor the moment of nightlife in India.
The air was thick and sultry. The buildings on either side of the road were strung with colorful paper garland, tinsel, and lights. I could hear the frantic sound of high pitched crooning over furious drum beats, drowning out the sounds of laughter and arguing in the the distance. I breathed in rich spices in the steamy air, wafting from a nearby market. This was a beautiful moment. I don’t remember what I ordered for dinner that night, but I remember the ride. I also remember the warm buttered naan, and that the Mango Lassi was exceptional.
If you ask my children what my favorite fruit is, they will tell you with resounding force that “Mommy loves mangoes.” The creamy-smooth texture and the buttery-tart flavor sends me into a euphoric state. Therefore there could be no better treat in my mind, than one that involves sweet ripe mangoes and the flavors of India that I’ve grown to love.
A Mango Lassi is just that: mangoes, yogurt, sugar, and a touch of spice. Most mango lassi recipes include a little ginger, cardamom or clove. These Mango Lassi Homemade Popsicles are the the essence of a mango lassi… on a stick! When creating homemade popsicles, it’s essential to intensify the flavor, because the cold temperature desensitizes our taste buds. This mango lassi recipe is powerful. It’s extremely sweet, creamy and loaded with mangoes, so that the mango lassi flavor shines through when frozen. I covered the bottoms with chopped pistachios for a little salty contrast.
I’m quite pleased with my Mango Lassi Homemade Popsicles. If I close my eyes, they take me straight back to India. More Flavors of India: Berry Blast Nimbu Pani How to Make Garam Masala Malabar Chicken Curry Butter Chicken ~ Closet Cooking Chapatis ~ Savvy Vegetarian Hyderabad Biryani ~ Collaborative Curry Share This Recipe With Friends!
