24 replies to this topic

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

In a lot of Arabic and South Asian recipes, I see a need for yogurt.  Is this the same yogurt that is sold in the west?  Usually flavored and sold as a snack?  Should I get plain yogurt?  Or do I need to go to a specialty store for the correct kind?

[JSAli]

I think it's plain yoghurt. Original/Natural flavoured one.

me thinks..

[Marbles]

Zulfiqar-e-Ali, on 18 September 2012 - 08:41 AM, said:

In a lot of Arabic and South Asian recipes, I see a need for yogurt.  Is this the same yogurt that is sold in the west?  Usually flavored and sold as a snack?  Should I get plain yogurt?  Or do I need to go to a specialty store for the correct kind?

South Asian recipes, by default, use plain unsweetened yoghurt, preferably low fat or one that is made from semi-skimmed milk.

Most youghurt in South Asian milk shops is plain, unsweetened and low fat.

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

Thanks guys, so much

I am going to make a mango lassi today, and I needed to know what yogurt was

[Marbles]

Probably use full fat yoghurt for mango lassi.

[Ruq]

Now i must know what mango lassi is. I nearly always use greek yogurt because i like the texture and i seem to remember reading it has the most protein.

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

Mango Lassi:
1 cup yogurt
1/2 cup milk (will almond milk work - I don't own any regular milk?)
1 cup chopped mango w/ peel and stone removed
4 teaspoons sugar

Blend for 2 mins.

[Ruq]

Are you lactose intolerant?
Is it a drink or a dessert? Id replace the sugar with honey or agave nectar. Agave nectar is good because it doesnt have much of a taste, so if youre making something with delicate flavours it will sweeten without over powering.

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

~Ruqaya, on 18 September 2012 - 01:06 PM, said:

Are you lactose intolerant?
Is it a drink or a dessert? Id replace the sugar with honey or agave nectar. Agave nectar is good because it doesnt have much of a taste, so if youre making something with delicate flavours it will sweeten without over powering.

Nah, I'm not lactose intolerant.  My family just doesn't drink cows milk.  :S  I can get some at the store, though.  What fat % does it have to be?

[Hot hot]

Make sure you parcel one for me or you will soon visit the doctor lol

[Noura_Shi'a]

Zulfiqar-e-Ali, on 18 September 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

Mango Lassi:
1 cup yogurt
1/2 cup milk (will almond milk work - I don't own any regular milk?)
1 cup chopped mango w/ peel and stone removed
4 teaspoons sugar

Blend for 2 mins.

Yummy

I make my own yoghurt at home btw

[Marbles]

Zulfiqar-e-Ali, on 18 September 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

Mango Lassi:
1 cup yogurt
1/2 cup milk (will almond milk work - I don't own any regular milk?)
1 cup chopped South Asian mango w/ peel and stone removed
4 teaspoons sugar

Blend for 2 mins.

Fixed.

What's almond milk?

For lassi best use full fat milk or whole milk as they call it in UK.

I'd not put sugar in mango lassi. Mango itself is sweet enough to sweeten the drink.

@ Ruqaya, it's a drink quite like smoothie. Call it mango smoothie.

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

Marbles, on 18 September 2012 - 02:02 PM, said:

Fixed.

What's almond milk?

For lassi best use full fat milk or whole milk as they call it in UK.

I'd not put sugar in mango lassi. Mango itself is sweet enough to sweeten the drink.

What's the difference between a South Asian mango and a regular mango?  Where can I get the South Asian mango?

Almond milk is milk from almonds.  

Okay, thanks.  I will run to the store as soon as I figure out which kind of mango I need.

Okay, great.  Thanks

[coldcow]

If you can get mango pulp, in a can, that would work best as it will give you even flavor.  Almond milk can work, but I find there is a slight gritty texture and almond flavor left over that I'm not a fan of.  

Personally, I prefer mango milkshake over lassi.  And that's basically just milk and mango pulp, plus a little bit of sugar if you really need it (although you probably won't).

And Indian mangos are far superior to the vast majority of Mexican/Floridian/Californian mangoes you get in the US/Canada.  But, you gotta work with what you got.  I doubt you'd be able to get South Asian mangoes outside of Asia.  Although most mango pulp is an export from India, so that's your best bet.

Edited by coldcow, 18 September 2012 - 02:18 PM.

[Marbles]

Zulfiqar-e-Ali, on 18 September 2012 - 02:09 PM, said:

What's the difference between a South Asian mango and a regular mango?  Where can I get the South Asian mango?

Almond milk is milk from almonds.  

Okay, thanks.  I will run to the store as soon as I figure out which kind of mango I need.

Okay, great.  Thanks

The difference between South Asian mangoes and all other mangoes is that of kings and their toilet cleaners, to put it frankly.

You can seek help from people hailing from Subcontinent as to where you can find South Asian, or desi, mangoes.

If you are using those useless Caribbean/Mexican mangoes, which are found in abundance in Western markets, then you'll need a lot of sugar to add to your drink, and won't get a good taste out of it, guaranteed.

I speak from all the experience a mango-grower, as well as consumer, can amass in a lifetime.

And better use regular whole milk. Almond milk is going to impair the flavour.

Quote

I doubt you'd be able to get South Asian mangoes outside of Asia.

Indian or Pakistani mangoes are found wherever there is a sizable community of Indians and Pakistanis, especially in big Western cities. You can't separate these people with their mangoes even if they have to be flown in from thousands of miles away. Granted, they are very expensive there, but still. . .

Edited by Marbles, 18 September 2012 - 02:42 PM.

[Noura_Shi'a]

coldcow, on 18 September 2012 - 02:17 PM, said:

I doubt you'd be able to get South Asian mangoes outside of Asia.

Marbles, on 18 September 2012 - 02:40 PM, said:

Indian or Pakistani mangoes are found wherever there is a sizable community of Indians and Pakistanis, especially in big Western cities. You can't separate these people with their mangoes even if they have to be flown in from thousands of miles away. Granted, they are very expensive there, but still. . .

Where i live (in Europe), we get mangos from Pakistan, and the prize is about $2. Even if it were more expensive, its worth buying it!

[coldcow]

Marbles, on 18 September 2012 - 02:40 PM, said:

Indian or Pakistani mangoes are found wherever there is a sizable community of Indians and Pakistanis, especially in big Western cities. You can't separate these people with their mangoes even if they have to be flown in from thousands of miles away. Granted, they are very expensive there, but still. . .

I live in a city in the US with a really large Indian/Pakistani population, and I have never seen Indian/Pakistani mangoes.  Even at all the Indian/Pakistani markets they sell Mexican mangoes.  I think if you're willing to pay 4-6 dollars a mango, then you could probably special order them.  But it's not worth it in my opinion.  You do get good Mexican mangoes on occasion   And during the winter you get a few good ones from South America.

[Zulfiqar-e-Ali]

I went to a Muslim owned shop and bought a mango.  It isn't South Asian - it's Mexican.  He said that in the future I could call him to see if he has any.  Since it's a specialty item, stock varies.

[Marbles]

coldcow, on 18 September 2012 - 04:22 PM, said:

I live in a city in the US with a really large Indian/Pakistani population, and I have never seen Indian/Pakistani mangoes.  Even at all the Indian/Pakistani markets they sell Mexican mangoes.  I think if you're willing to pay 4-6 dollars a mango, then you could probably special order them.  But it's not worth it in my opinion.  You do get good Mexican mangoes on occasion   And during the winter you get a few good ones from South America.

I have no experience with buying mangoes in North America so I can't say. But our mangoes are definitely found in every major European city where South Asians live. You sometimes need to ask because sometimes they aren't displayed clearly for sale. There is high demand and limited supply and pre-orders account for most sales of those mangoes where sizable Indo-Pak communities exist.

In my experience the average price of a South Asian mango in European markets is $2. But I guess they are more expensive in the US because of the distance from the destination of origin.

Zulfiqar-e-Ali, on 18 September 2012 - 04:46 PM, said:

I went to a Muslim owned shop and bought a mango.  It isn't South Asian - it's Mexican.  He said that in the future I could call him to see if he has any.  Since it's a specialty item, stock varies.

Yes, time and stock both are limited. You'll only get them from May-August, maximum.

[Lady Vanilla]

Ya Alllaaaaaaaaaah, I'm so hungry. I want that hot yogurt that has the almonds in it....jameed or whatever it is.....It makes me salivate just by thinking about it...it would be soooo good about now...

[Mutah_King]

Its blasphemous to not use Pakistani mangoes in any mango recipe.

[silvercrest]

So much trouble/effort for mango lussi ?? lol buy a mango flavored yogurt and blend it. What a genius i am. :-)

[Gypsy]

It's plain yogurt with live active cultures.

[Gotham]

Noura_Shi, on 18 September 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

Yummy

I make my own yoghurt at home btw

me too! even though i think yogurt is disgusting