CUCUMBER RAITA (CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP)

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Cucumber Raita is a creamy and delicious yogurt dip made with yogurt, cucumber, and flavored with a spunky Raita Masala. The recipe includes the recipe for homemade Raita Masala!

Cucumber raita is a refreshing cucumber and yogurt dip that is often served alongside spicy Indian food for a cooling effect. Though best known as a side dish, it can also be enjoyed on its own or as a dip with flatbread or chips.

Cucumber raita is creamy, delicious, and has immense health benefits. While the yogurt is responsible for the silky smooth consistency of the raita, the cucumber adds a nice crunch to it. It is flavored with a raita masala made out of a few spices and herbs. What's cool about this popular side is that it can be whipped up in under 15 minutes with minimum efforts.

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.

 

ABOUT THE RECIPE

Cucumber raita is one of the most popular raita out there. It is loved for its simplicity and associated health benefits. Who wouldn't love a bowl of cool and crisp cucumber raita on a hot summer day?

The key to preparing tasty raita lies in the raita masala. Rita masala is prepared with a few typical Indian spices. If you love raita or make it regularly, it is a good idea to make the raita masala in advance and store it ib an airtight container or shaker. So the next time you plan to make raita all you have to do is beat together yogurt, vegetables/fruits, and some raita masala. Voila, your raita is ready! Now, can that be any more simple?

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

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.

INGREDIENTS FOR CUCUMBER 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.

Cucumber – Cucumber is peeled and then grated.

Raita Masala - Check the recipe above for making Raita Masala.

Mint & Coriander Leaves – Finely chopped leaves add a refreshing taste to the Raita.

Kashmiri Mirch Powder - This is optional. I like to sprinkle a pinch of it to add a nice color to my Raita.

HOW TO MAKE CUCUMBER 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 cucumber and raita masala and mix well.
• Refrigerate the raita for an hour.
• Add chopped cilantro and mint. Sprinkle some Kashmiri Mirch powder (optional) Serve chilled.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF CUCUMBER RAITA

Cucumber 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.

Cucumbers are low in calories but high in water and consist of several important vitamins and minerals. They are composed of about 96% water, which may increase hydration and help you meet your daily fluid needs. Hence, they are great for weight-watchers.

The raita masala aids in digestion and improves immunity. The fresh mint and cilantro are soothing, refreshing, and cool.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What can I use instead of the raita masala?

If you do not feel like making the raita masala, you can use roasted cumin powder, pink salt, normal salt, and sugar to flavor your raita.

Can this be used as a dip?

Raita has a little liquidy consistency and it is not as thick as traditional dips. If you are planning to use it as a dip, I suggest not to add any water to the yogurt while whisking.

What else can I add to cucumber raita?

While this is the most basic recipe for cucumber raita, there are multiple versions of this. Some people like to add tomatoes and red onions to their raita. So you can go ahead and add them too!

How can I temper this raita?

You can add a tempering made with ghee, mustard seeds, and curry leaves just before serving the cucumber raita.

How can I thicken raita?

You can either use Greek yogurt, which will give you a thicker consistency, or strain the yogurt before using, in a muslin cloth to drain out the excess water.

What is the difference between tzatziki and cucumber raita?

Tzatziki is a Greek dip made with very thick yogurt, cucumber, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil. On the other hand, cucumber raita is not as thick and it is usually flavored with typical Indian spices. In a nutshell, apart from the yogurt and cucumber, there is no similarity between the two.

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.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

Cucumber Raita is most often served with spicy Indian dishes like biryani, pilaf, kebabs, and curries. The cooling properties of the raita help to mellow the heat of the spices.

You can also serve it as an accompaniment with aloo paratha, methi paratha, or pita bread.

I served it with Jeweled Pilaf and Baked drumsticks. 

 

STORING SUGGESTIONS

The Cucumber Raita can be stored for up to 3 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.

After a day, the yogurt begins to thin-out as the cucumbers release their water. To tackle this, add some yogurt to bring it back to the desired consistency before serving.

Print

CUCUMBER RAITA (CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP)

Yield: 2

Author: The GradChef

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 5 Mininactive time: 1 HourTotal time: 1 H & 10 M

Cucumber Raita is a creamy and delicious yogurt dip made with yogurt, cucumber, and flavored with a spunky Raita Masala. The recipe includes the recipe for homemade Raita Masala!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Yogurt
• 1/2 cup Cucumber peeled and grated
• 1 tsp Raita Masala
• 1/2  tbsp finely chopped mint
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions:

1. Whisk yogurt with some water to achieve a smooth consistency.
2. Add grated cucumber and raita masala and mix well.
3. Refrigerate the raita for an hour.
4. Add chopped cilantro and mint. Sprinkle some Kashmiri Mirch powder (optional).
5. Serve chilled.

Notes:

• Add water as per your desired consistency.
• If you don't have the raita masala use roasted cumin powder and salt instead.

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.

https://www.thegradchef.com/2020/10/cucumber-raita-cucumber-yogurt-dip.html

dip condiment yogurt cucumber easy quick healthy indian gluten-free

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Indian

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