The Primal Blueprint Cookbook (47 page)

Lassi is a popular yogurt drink in India that is both protein-rich and surprisingly refreshing on a hot day. Pungent spices like cumin can cause the body to sweat and cool down, and mint has got to be one of the coolest herbs out there. Think of a lassi as a healthy milkshake. If a savory lassi doesn’t appeal to you, use fruit and fresh mint instead.

INSTRUCTIONS:

If you’re using cumin seeds, toast them for a few minutes in a hot pan. Mix everything together in a blender until frothy. Refrigerate or serve over ice.

Rich, creamy hot cocoa fits into a Primal Lifestyle? Yes, though admittedly, this version might take some getting used to as we recommend you try it without sugar or only slightly sweetened. Transition to unsweetened hot cocoa by initially making it with just a teaspoon of sugar or maple syrup, then slowly reduce the level of sweetness until you can “take it straight”. Using ample heavy cream or coconut milk ensures that the hot cocoa is not too watery, so add more if you wish. If you drink unsweetened coffee or tea, or have reduced other sugar sources in your diet, go right to the unsweetened version, as your sweet taste receptors are not constantly bombarded with sweetness. Using coconut milk or cream instead of heavy cream will also lend a hint of sweetness to the hot cocoa.

Be sure to use Dutch process cocoa powder and not “natural” cocoa powder, which is more acidic and bitter. Natural cocoa powder also doesn’t dissolve well in liquid. Dutch process cocoa has been neutralized to mellow the acidic sharpness, creating a cocoa that tastes smooth and rich. Dutch process will always be noted on the label.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place cocoa powder in a mug and break up any firm lumps with the back of a spoon. Add the cream or coconut milk to the cocoa powder and stir to create a paste or slurry. Pour in a few tablespoons of hot water and stir to blend. Add more hot water to fill mug and stir well. If sweetening the hot cocoa, sweetener may be added at any time.

If cocoa doesn’t dissolve well, try again adding 2 tablespoons of hot water to cocoa and stirring first, before adding the cream and the rest of the water.

Sweet blackberries get a little kick from spicy ginger and a refreshing jolt from lime in this amazing mocktail. (Go ahead, turn it into a cocktail. We won’t tell.) Flavor is extracted and concentrated by muddling the ingredients, a bartending technique that involves pounding and crushing herbs and/or fruit with a muddler. If you don’t have a muddler, just use the handle of a wooden spoon; it works just as well.

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a cocktail shaker, muddle ginger, lime juice and blackberries until blackberries are completely broken up. This can be done by pounding the berries and ginger with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. Add a handful of ice and shake. Strain into a cocktail glass. Top with sparkling water.