Raita is a part of Indian Vegetarian Thali. It is a yogurt based condiment looks saucy to dip. This is mostly a summer salad which protects the body from internal heat. Also a very much loved side dish which adds taste to any combination. Any fruit and vegetable is used with yogurt to make delicious Raita. Boondi, Cucumber, Bottle guard, Banana, Onion Raita’s are served in hot summer and Carrot, Pineapple, Mango and other fruit Raita are served in winter. Potato Raita and mix vegetable Raita is also a part of salad in Pizza hut. I love to have boondi raita and cucumber raita with stuffed Parathas. This can be served with Parathas, Biryani’s, Vegetable Pulao, and Pakoda’s. Raita is a new variety which is prepared in less time and with less ingredients.
Boondi Raita
Ingredients:
2 Cups Yogurt
½ Cup Boondi
¼ Tbsp Red Chili Powder
¼ Tbsp Chat Masala
Salt as per requirement
Method:
1. Pour curd in to a big bowl and whip it with a whisk to make it smooth.
2. Add salt, chat masala powder, chili powder in it and mix it well.
3. Now add boondi and stir it and your boondi raita is ready to eat.
4. Garnish it with coriander leaves.
Note: Make this Boondi Raita before hand by mixing Yogurt and masalas and refrigerate it. And right before serving you can add boondi to prevent it from getting soft and absorbing all the water from the yogurt.
Cucumber Raita
Ingredients:
2 Cups Yogurt
1 medium sized Cucumber
1 Tsp Split Mustard Seeds
2 Tsp Sugar
2 Green Chilies finely chopped
Salt as per requirement
Method:
1. Take yogurt in a bowl and whisk it properly to make smooth yogurt.
2. Peel off the cucumber and grate it.
3. Squeeze the grated cucumber to remove excess water from the cucumber.
4. Add grated cucumber, salt, and sugar into the yogurt and mix it well.
5. Crush the mustard seeds and make it into fine powder and add this to the yogurt.
6. Also add finely chopped green chilies to the yogurt and stir it well.
7. Your Cucumber Raita is ready to serve.
8. Garnish it with coriander leaves.
Note: Instead of cucumber you can try the same recipe with bottle gourd (lauki). Grate the bottle gourd and cook in boiling water for couple of minutes. Then strain the water and use the grated bottle gourd instead of cucumber.
Carrot Raita
Ingredients:
2 Cups Yogurt
½ Cup Grated Carrot
¼ Tsp Black Pepper Powder
½ Tsp Sugar
Salt as per requirement
Method:
1. Take yogurt in a bowl and beat it nicely with a whisk.
2. Add grated carrot, black pepper powder, sugar, and salt to the yogurt.
3. Mix it well and garnish it with coriander leaves.
Note: This is a simple recipe but seasonal. You can also try using small pineapple pieces instead of carrot to make pineapple raita.
