Mango Power Lassi

For everyone who has been wondering -- why haven't there been more Mango Power posts? -- here's an easy one, my Mango Power Lassi! To tell you the truth, I have been incredibly disappointed this summer because I have had a hard time finding good mangoes.

There have been plenty of OK mangoes, but they are either bumped and bruised, way too expensive, or just not the type I like to eat. One thing most people might not know if they have not lived in a mango producing region: you cannot have machines processing your mangoes. Everything must be plucked, picked, gathered, and packed by hand. Like most berries, mangoes are a delicate fruit and they bruise easily.

Unlike berries though, mangoes continue to ripen after being picked. So if a mango was bumped too much when it was picked or packaged, you might not see the bruises until it ripens. What you get is a mango which is totally destroyed on the inside, while the skin and outside still look good. Living so far away from mango producing regions, I have run into this problem quite a bit and have been heartbroken for throwing away multiple expensive, ruined mangoes :(

When I do find good mangoes, I either eat them straight (not as interesting to blog, am I right ;) or I turn them into something pretty simple, like this lassi. Last time I found a good mango I did just that!

I also want to point out that I picked up my cute jar glasses on one of our local island excursions. I thought they would be perfect to serve a little kid a drink as they are also sturdy and practical. There is one great little kid named Finn, who would have been the perfect customer. Our awesome little cousin Finn and his parents moved to California last year, and he turns 4 years old this week! So, this post is for him!

Hey Finn, see the spinning green bug you left us? It hangs on our porch and spins around every time the wind blows. We miss you Finn :) come visit Seattle! and I will make you a Mango Power Lassi :)

I used:
1 cup plain fresh yogurt
1/4 cup milk or water (approx.)
1 mango, peeled and cubed
couple of pinches of ginger powder
1-2 teaspoons sugar (optional: if your mango is not sweet enough, I don't make lassi until I find a sweet mango!)

My method:
1. Blend the yogurt and the mango in a blender.
2. Add milk or water to thin out the mixture as much as you like, then add ginger powder and blend. The liquid amount is an approximation and will change based on the thickness of your yogurt and the juicyness of your mango. (Skip the ginger if it is too spicy for kids, add vanilla or cardamom!)
3. Taste, then add a teaspoon of sugar if it is not sweet enough. My mango was pretty sweet, so I enjoyed it just like it was.
4. Pour it in a glass of your choice, add ice cubes, and enjoy!