ANAR RAITA (POMEGRANATE AND YOGURT DIP)
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The rich and creamy Anar raita or Pomegranate Raita is a feast of colors and flavors. It is a perfect accompaniment to spicy Indian food on a hot summer day.
Pomegranate Raita is easy to prepare fruity raita that doubles up as a dessert. The fresh pomegranate arils add to the color and texture of the smooth raita. This raita is loved by kids and adults alike.
Fruit-based raitas are generally sweet due to the natural sweetness of the fruits in it. Pomegranate Raita is one such sweet raita that goes well with spicy dishes. Additionally, you can also use it to top spicy chaats for extra flavor.
This raita is so delicious that I can gleefully gobble down a bowlful of this raita on its own. Try it out and let me know how you liked it.
WHAT IS RAITA?
Riata
is a popular condiment in South Asian cuisine. It is made with yogurt,
raw or cooked vegetables, fruits, or boondi (fried droplets of batter
made from chickpea flour).
Raita is known to be a great cooling agent to mellow the effect of any dish that is too spicy. Hence, it is served with rich and spicy dishes like biryani, pilaf, kebab, parathas, and spicy chicken or meat curries. It is also served as a dip and often paired with chips or flatbread along with pickles.
Raita can be savory and sweet. A wide range of seasonings can go into raita depending on the recipe or the region from where it is derived. These may include roasted cumin seeds, mint, chaat masala, or coriander.
WHAT IS RAITA MASALA?
Homemade
Raita Masala is an aromatic and flavorful mixture of typical Indian
spices. This masala can be used to prepare various types of raita or
simply enjoyed with plain yogurt. It can enhance the taste of raita to a
great extent and is laden with many health benefits. You can easily
prepare this masala at home and store it.
RECIPE FOR RAITA MASALA
RECIPE FOR RAITA MASALA
Dry
roast the whole spices in a hot skillet and cool them down. Grind them
into a powder and add the other seasonings. Mix everything well and
store it in an airtight container or shaker.
Whole spices:
2 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tbsp carom seeds
1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
10-12 black peppercorns
Seasonings:
1/2 tbsp ginger powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp table salt
1 tbsp rock salt
2 tbsp powdered sugar
The above will yield about 5 oz of Raita Masala. The mixture need not be too fine, keeping it a little coarse adds to the texture of the raita.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF POMEGRANATE RAITA
Pomegranate Raita is a low-calorie, gluten-free, fiber-rich, and a low carb side
dish that acts as a coolant and aids in digestion and weight loss. It
has a detoxifying, hydrating, and cleansing effect on the body.
Yogurt offers a good source of calcium and protein. It also contains live bacterial cultures such as lactobacillus that helps in strengthening the immune system of the body.
Pomegranates are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive plant compounds, but they also contain some sugar. The punicalagins in pomegranate juice have been shown to reduce inflammation, one of the leading drivers of many serious diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Pomegranate has antibacterial and antiviral properties which may be useful against common gum diseases and yeast infections. In a nutshell, pomegranates are one of the healthiest fruits on the planet, packed with nutrients and powerful plant compounds.
The raita masala aids in digestion and improves immunity.
INGREDIENTS FOR POMEGRANATE RAITA
Yogurt - You can use fresh homemade yogurt or store-bought one.
Water - Some water is added to thin the yogurt and make it more palatable.
Pomegranate - Peel the pomegranate and separate the pomegranate arils.
Raita Masala - Check the recipe above for making Raita Masala.
Anar dana - Powdered dried arils of pomegranate add a nutty flavor to the Raita which further enhances the pomegranate flavor. If you cannot lay your hands on it, skip it.
Sugar - This recipe calls for some extra sugar, you can however skip it.
Mint - Add some mint leaves for a refreshing taste to the Raita and also some splash of contrasting color. This is optional.
HOW TO MAKE POMEGRANATE RAITA?
The
recipe of cucumber raita is by far the simplest recipe on my blog. All
you have to do is whisk everything together. Here are the step-by-step
instructions:
- Whisk yogurt with some water to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Add pomegranate arils, raita masala, anar dana, sugar and mix well.
- Refrigerate the raita for an hour.
- Add some fresh pomegranate arils and mint leaves (optional). Serve chilled.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What can I use instead of the raita masala?
How can I make it Vegan?
For vegan raita, use dairy-free yogurt or any plant-based yogurt. The rest of the recipe remains the same.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Can I skip the sugar in the Pomegranate Raita?
This raita is sweet, but if you prefer to cut down on the sugar, just skip adding sugar. Spice it up as usual and you may add some chaat masala for that extra kick.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Pomegranate Raita is most often served with spicy Indian dishes. The cooling properties of the raita help to
mellow the heat of the spices.
You can cherish a bowl of Pomegranate Raita on its own. You can also serve it as a side dish with biryani, pilaf, saffron rice, or even jeera rice. You can also serve it as an accompaniment with aloo paratha, methi paratha, or pita bread.
It also goes well with Indian chaats like papdi chaat, dahi bhalla, or aloo chaat.
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ANAR RAITA (POMEGRANATE AND YOGURT DIP)
Yield: 4
Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 5 Mininactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M
The rich and creamy Anar raita or Pomegranate Raita is a feast of colors and flavors. It is a perfect accompaniment to spicy Indian food on a hot summer day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Yogurt
- 1/2 cup Pomegranate arils
- 1 tsp Raita Masala
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp Anar dana (powdered dried pomegranate seeds)
- 1/4 cup water
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Whisk yogurt with some water to achieve a smooth consistency.
- Add pomegranate arils, raita masala, anar dana, sugar and mix well.
- Refrigerate the raita for an hour.
- Add some fresh pomegranate arils and mint leaves (optional). Serve chilled.
Notes:
- If you do not prefer sweet raita, skip the sugar and add some chaat masala.
- Skip the anar dana if you do not have it. However, it certainly adds to the taste and texture of the raita.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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