Cucumber Raita / Cucumber Yogurt Salad





          Raita is a cucumber-yogurt salad used in Indian cuisine as a cooling balance to the spicy dishes like biryani. This is so simple and easy to make dish. I really love this raita because of its cooling properties. Best accompaniment for raita is biryani. Also you can use it as dip for pita chips  or potato chips.



     Ingredients


           1 Medium Sized Cucumber, Diced

           2 Cups of Yogurt / Thick Curd
           1/4 Cup of Red Onion, Finely Chopped
           1/4 Tsp of Roasted Cumin Powder
           Pinch of Kala Namak / Black Salt
           1 Green Chilly, Finely Chopped
           2 Tbsp of Coriander Leaves, Chopped
           Salt to Taste


     To Temper


           2 Tsp of Oil

           1 Tsp of Mustard Seeds
           1 Sprig of Curry Leaves
         


     Method

  • Wash and peel the cucumber skin. Chop them into pieces. Keep them aside.
  • Roast the cumin seeds in a medium heat for a few seconds until nice aroma comes. Powder it in a mortar and pestle.
  • In a bowl, using whisk, whip the curd/yogurt until smooth and creamy.
  • To the yogurt bowl, add chopped onion, cucumber, green chilly, roasted cumin powder, black salt, coriander leaves and salt. Mix well with a spoon.
  • Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds and curry leaves, after it splutter, transfer this to the yogurt bowl. Mix well.
  • Serve immediately with biryani or cover and refrigerate it for 15 mins to allow flavors to blend.



    Tips
  • You can add red chilly powder or pepper powder instead of green chilly.
  • Adding mint leaves gives you great flavor.
  • You can also make raita without adding the tempering.
  • Greek yogurt tastes great for raita.
  • You can add grated or diced cucumber for making raita.



    Health Benefits of Cucumber

  • Keeps the body hydrated.
  • Rich in vitamin A and B
  • Good for skin, joints and teeth.
  • Aids in digestion and weight loss.
  • Stimulates hair growth.
  • Fight against cancer.


Labels: , ,