Summer might be my least favorite season in Chicago. I know! I know! I feel very conflicted about it, too. Admittedly, there is much I like about summer, especially as it relates to food: farmers markets! local everything! hot dogs! The thing is, I really dislike being hot. My thermostat is off, I run hot already. And the humidity in Chicago really gets me down. So, unlike every other Chicagoan who cant wait for summer….I am ambivalent. Of course, there are those dry sunny days in the 70’s that I too love, but they’re pretty rare. Mostly it is too hot and too humid. So, I look for ways to cool off. This lassi does the trick.
It is more of an idea than a recipe, try adding some coconut milk to your shake. Not enough to make this very coconut-y or tropical, just enough to add a little suppin’ suppin’. I got the idea from this month’s Bon Appetit, which has a whole spread on strawberries—harbingers of summer in the Midwest. The original recipe was a little more subtle, I wanted a bright pink drink, so I increased the amount of strawberries. You do what you like. But do make this, because it is really delicious and it gave me another reason to appreciate summer.
Strawberry-Coconut Lassi (recipe adapted from one by Yvette van Boven)
- 2 cups halved, hulled, strawberries
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth. Serves 2.
***Bryan astutely observed that the sliced strawberries looked exactly like dolphins! Cute overload.
jenny says:
May 20th, 2013 at 9:02 am
I saw that recipe and was psyched to try it–though I agree with you that I would add more strawberries. my absolute favorite thing about this post, though, is the strawberry dolphin face. LOL!
amelia says:
May 20th, 2013 at 9:33 am
Duuuude, was just admiring this in Bon App this morning. (Yours is prettier.) Quick Q: did you use full-fat coconut milk or the light? Matt and I are headed to Palm Springs in a couple of weeks and I fear it’s going to be TOO hot and that I may also need to cool down with something like this. xo
teresa g says:
May 20th, 2013 at 9:41 am
This sounds so good right now, especially after that hot day we already had yesterday (turned the AC on :-( ) One question, why buttermilk? I almost never use buttermilk except to make an occasional dressing or for chicken before frying.
Tim says:
May 20th, 2013 at 9:52 am
Amelia- Full fat, baby! The “lite” stuff always tastes like the can to me.
Teresa- Why buttermilk?! To me that is like asking: why love? Ha! But seriously, buttermilk is one of my favorite things in the world. I drink it straight up. It is tart without being too tart, and low fat while still being creamy. It is the perfect dairy product. Also, you can then use it to bake a cake.
Katie says:
May 20th, 2013 at 10:07 am
I agree about Chicago summers. Too hot! Too sticky! All those vegetables, but it’s unthinkable to stand over the stove!
I will have to keep these in mind for when things get unbearable.
Mira says:
May 20th, 2013 at 10:42 am
Here in India lassis are a total staple- the sweet cardamom one is delicious, and with mango season going on right now, mango lassis are heaven and they’re everywhere. Now I’m dying to try your strawberry version! But strawberries are a winter fruit in Bombay :(
Mira says:
May 20th, 2013 at 10:44 am
Oh, and I agree with Jenny: the strawberry dolphins such a pick-up <3
Sasha says:
May 20th, 2013 at 11:51 am
Where are those classy straws from? Are they metal? They look especially handsome in that third photo.
And about the lassi, I love the idea of adding buttermilk! Brilliant. I’ll get to it once I restock up on strawberries.
Also, I tried adding whiskey to my oatmeal: A+. Thank you.
Tim says:
May 20th, 2013 at 11:58 am
Hey Sasha- they are, indeed, metal. I got mine from Brooke Farm General Store, but I’ve seen them other places. They are fun. Just google “metal straws” and you’ll get lots of options.
Shaheen says:
May 20th, 2013 at 11:59 am
I love strawberry lassi! This is how I make mine. Back home, lassi is only made with full fat yoghurt. Sometimes, topped with cold, fresh butter. So, so good. Your addition of coconut milk is interesting…
Tim says:
May 20th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
Hi Shaheen! Thanks for sharing. I always have made them with yogurt, but I am pretty into this buttermilk idea. Maybe not technically a lassi- but it is SO good. You should give it a try…
Caroline Shields says:
May 20th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
Perfection! Being pregnant + humidity = the worst, but I do love everything being green and nights out on our patio!
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says:
May 20th, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Daaaang!!! Strawberries + buttermilk + coconut milk? You just made my day!
Tiffany Nelson says:
May 20th, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Just love the mix of Strawberries and………Air Conditioning! ;) I can’t stand too much humidity and heat either!
Kelli says:
May 20th, 2013 at 2:52 pm
Yum! I can’t wait to try this, I’ve been on a huge strawberry kick lately.
And I also agree about Midwestern summers–I always hated them growing up. Now I live in New Orleans…and yeah, I obviously didn’t think that one through. At least the food is good. :)
Jackie says:
May 20th, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Speaking as a fellow Chicago resident, last summer ruined me. July was one hot, sticky nightmare. Hoping this summer is better- regardless, this smoothie/lassi/cold creamy drink will certainly help. Love the addition of buttermilk!
ItalianGirlCooks says:
May 20th, 2013 at 6:15 pm
We’re in the 90’s in NorCal and it’s time for a Strawberry Lassie. Love the use of coconut milk…never would have thought buttermilk, but it looks fabulous!
Dawn | Kitchen Travels says:
May 21st, 2013 at 9:04 am
Dolphin? I see gecko. Not sure what that says about me… http://www.lizardtypes.com/gecko-pictures/tokay-gecko-picture-1/
Tim says:
May 21st, 2013 at 10:18 am
Ha! Good call, Dawn.
sandra says:
May 21st, 2013 at 12:21 pm
oh yum. sharing. thank you so much! I love coconut and strawberries and icy on hot summer days.
Abraham Murad says:
May 21st, 2013 at 10:25 pm
Hey! We make lassi almost every other day here in Lahore, Pakistan! The strawberry version is great although the coconutmilk n butter milk are new… Try mango lassi!
Tim says:
May 22nd, 2013 at 6:33 am
Hey Abraham! We drink mango lassi here, too. I love it.
michelle says:
May 22nd, 2013 at 11:10 am
This looks ideal to sip on the deck (under the umbrella! because I don’t care much for hot and humid either) with a good book in hand. When my strawberries ripen, I’ll definitely be trying this out.
molly says:
May 28th, 2013 at 12:08 am
i would sleep right through to september–late september–if i could. these midwestern summers, man. where’s seattle when i need it?
but! strawberry lassi, bring it on. i’m thinking a squeeze of lime here, and being me, a flick (or three) of cardamom. but straight up or gussied, these are so in our future. thanks for that. i totally flipped past them.