Masala chaas

This is the drink Indian afternoons were made for. Thin, frothy buttermilk with roasted jeera, pudina and black salt, ready in 5 minutes. When the 3 pm heat makes you want a cold drink from the fridge, a glass of chaas cools you down and actually satisfies.

Why it helps

A cold drink or packaged juice is mostly sugar and gone in minutes. Chaas is made from curd, so it brings a little protein and leaves you genuinely refreshed, not craving more. It is also gentle on digestion after a heavy lunch. Curious what other "weight loss drinks" really do? Read the truth about weight loss drinks.

Ingredients (serves 2)

• 1 cup fresh curd
• 2 cups chilled water
• 1/2 teaspoon roasted jeera powder
• 8 to 10 pudina leaves
• A small piece of ginger (optional)
• 1 green chilli (optional, for a Gujarati-style kick)
• Black salt to taste
• Fresh coriander or mint, to garnish

Method

1. Crush the pudina leaves, ginger and green chilli lightly in a mortar, or just tear the leaves with your hands.
2. Whisk the curd in a deep vessel until smooth. A traditional madhani, a whisk or a mixer, all work.
3. Add the chilled water and whisk again until light and frothy.
4. Stir in the roasted jeera powder, black salt and the crushed pudina mix.
5. Taste and adjust the salt. Chaas should be thin and drinkable, not thick like lassi.
6. Pour into glasses, garnish with mint, and drink it fresh.

Make it your own

• Blend the pudina and coriander into the chaas itself for a green masala chaas.
• Add a pinch of hing and curry leaves tempered in a few drops of ghee for a South Indian neer mor feel.
• Keep the masala mix (roasted jeera, black salt, dried pudina) ready in a jar so a glass takes one minute on busy days.

Enjoy it as part of the CurviCare Plate, and if afternoon cravings are your weak spot, this guide to cravings will help.