Hi everyone, I'm so happy to see you.
When you go for an Indian meal at a restaurant, you will know that to cool down a hot dish, you can get raita. This is usually some onions, cucumber or sometimes carrots mixed with yoghurt.
I’m sure that this is fine for many people, but if you want an authentic raita that is the most moreish thing you’ve ever had, try this one.
Raita made properly is so good, that you feel like you just can't get enough.
I always order raita when i'm eating out at an indian place, hoping that I will get a raita that has been made properly, but I'm always disappointed. Usually, it's just one ingredient that's missing, split mustard seeds 😕
When I was little, my Mum used to make raita when we had visitors, and she'd make extra because she knew that I would sit in a corner with a bowl of raita eating it, like it was my main meal, oh those were the days 😁
It's one of the easiest things to make but the result is something that everyone will be asking you the recipe for, try this basic raita and see:
INGREDIENTS:
500g Plain yoghurt
½ to ¾ Cucumber – coarsely grated
Salt – to taste
½ tsp cumin powder
1sp split mustard seeds (available from most Indian shops)
METHOD:
Coarsely grate the cucumber into a bowl, skin and all, you can remove the seeds, but i just leave them in.
Once grated, place in a sieve and press with your hands to remove as much water as possible.
Mix the squeezed cucumber, salt, cumin and mustard seeds in with the yoghurt.
Cover and put in the fridge for half an hour or longer if possible.
That’s it, there is no step 5, time to indulge, YUM.
TIPS:
If you like onions and/or carrots, use them!! Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can use any other veg, or mix them all up in one.
Mint is really nice in raita too, just chop up some fresh mint and add.
Make it vegan, use dairy-free yoghurt, it will work just as well, just avoid the sweetened ones.
Try with crème fraîche or vegan crème fraiche.
Serve with many many different dishes, from biriyani, curries, falafels to even tacos, burritos and wraps.
Let me know how you made your raita and what you had it with, or did you do what I do, and just ate a whole bowlful on its own LOL
Until next time, Happy Cooking! 💖
@jamiejoshielder - thanks for your feedback, I'm defo going to try the turmeric!!
LOVE raita! I put shredded carrots and a tiny bit of turmeric in mine. It's the perfect accompaniment to pretty much any dish but especially a spicy and sauce malai kofta :)