CUCUMBER RAITA

Cucumber raita is an Indian condiment or dip made with cucumber and curd. It is usually served with biryani or pulao. It can also be a great side for variety rice.

There are so many different kinds of raita like, onion raita, carrot raita, tomato raita, cucumber raita and much more. Among all the raita, cucumber raita is the only dish, that is not spicy. It can also be made spicy by adding green chillies and black pepper powder to it. But, it tastes great without the chillies and pepper.

Cucumber raita is so refreshing and, also has a cooling effect to it. It is mostly preferred to be consumed with spicy food since, it can minimize the level of spiciness of the dish.

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

There are so many ways to make cucumber raita. This recipe is my way of making cucumber raita. I’ve used Indian cucumber for this recipe. Any variety of cucumber can be used. Some cucumber might taste bitter. Taste a piece of cucumber before adding it to the curd.

I usually use diced cucumber to retain the water content of the vegetable. Grated cucumber can also be used instead of diced cucumber.

*Grated cucumber oozes out a lot of water than the diced cucumber. If you use grated cucumber, squeeze the water from the cucumber after grating and then, add it to the curd.

INGREDIENTS FOR CUCUMBER RAITA:

• CUCUMBER(PEELED/DICED) – 1 NO.
• CURD – 1 CUP
• CUMIN POWDER – 1/2 TSP
• SALT – AS REQUIRED

HOW TO MAKE CUCUMBER RAITA:

• Peel and dice the cucumber. Add the diced cucumber to a mixing bowl and, keep it aside.

*Adding the seeds is optional. I haven’t added the seeds in this recipe.

• Place a strainer onto a bowl and, add the curd to it.

• Let it rest on the strainer for 30 minutes. The water from the curd gets collected in the bowl and you’ll get thick curd.
• Add the thick curd and salt to the bowl with the diced cucumber in it.

• Mix them well and, add 1/2 tsp of cumin powder to it. It can be either mixed to the raita or, can be added as a garnishing.

YUMMY AND DELICIOUS CUCUMBER RAITA IS READY.

SERVE IT WITH YOUR FAVOURITE RICE OR ROTIS.

I HAD MY CUCUMBER RAITA WITH VANGI BATH.

VARIATIONS:

• 1/4 tsp of black pepper powder and 1 finely chopped green chilly can be added to the recipe to make it spicy.
• Grated cucumber can also be used instead of diced cucumber. Grated cucumber oozes out a lot of water than the diced cucumber. Squeeze the grated cucumber and then, add it to the curd.
• Coriander leaves can also be used for garnishing.
• Cumin powder can also be mixed with raita instead of using it as a garnishing.

NOTE:

Cucumber can sometimes taste bitter. It’s better to taste a slice of it, before adding it to the recipe.