Cookbook:Raita

| Indian cuisine

Raita is an Indian garnish often served with spiced dishes. It acts as a cooling flavour as the fat in the yogurt dissolves and mollifies chili in the curry, while the taste of cucumber and fresh mint or other herbs refreshes the palate.

The essential ingredient is yogurt.

Ingredients

 * ⅛ cup grated cucumber (about 1 inch of cucumber)
 * ½ cup plain yogurt
 * 2–3 mint leaves, chopped
 * 2 cilantro leaves, chopped
 * 1–2 tbsp finely chopped or minced onions (optional)
 * Salt (coarse salt preferred)
 * Chile powder
 * Ground cumin

Procedure

 * 1) Squeeze the grated cucumber to remove and discard excess liquid.
 * 2) Stir the cucumber into the yogurt.
 * 3) Add chopped mint, cilantro, and onion.
 * 4) Add salt to taste.
 * 5) Sprinkle a little ground cumin on top.
 * 6) Sprinkle with chili powder if desired.
 * 7) Refrigerate and serve cold.