Raita is a staple accompaniment to Indian dishes like Biryani and pulao. Raita is nothing but a salad that has a yogurt based dressing. However, unlike the usual salads, raita has a copious amount of yogurt in it, so much so that the yogurt is like a sauce or gravy.The most common raita is cucumber raita. Cucumber raita can be made by itself or with onions and tomatoes added to it. Raitas are often garnished with coriander/ cilantro leaves.The raita that I am bringing to you today has the added flavors of dill and the goodness of red radish. It is easy to make, healthy and delicious.
Servings: 3-4
Ingredients:
Cucumber: 1 medium, chopped fine.
Small red radish: 4-5, finely chopped julienne.
Onion: 1 small, chopped.
Green chillies: 1-2, chopped.
Yogurt: 2 cups
Salt: to taste
Dill leaves: 1 tbsp
Mint leaves: 1 sprig for garnish ( optional)
Method:
Add the chopped cucumber, onion, radish, green chillies, dill leaves to the bowl.
In a separate bowl whisk the yogurt thoroughly to make it smooth . Add this to the above bowl.
Add salt and mix well.
Garnish with mint leaves.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve chilled.
Cooking made easy:
You could dilute the yogurt with some water if you want it to be thinner. Alternatively, you can make it a protein-rich dish by using Greek yogurt or hung yogurt.
Tip for healthy living:
For people who don't like vegetables or leafy salads, raitas can be the perfect way to incorporate the much needed veggies into your diet. Ensure that every meal is accompanied by some kind of salad or yogurt. You need atleast 4-5 servings of vegetables each day!
Food for thought:
Rules and models destroy genius and art. William Hazlitt
Salad is an integral part of meals in my home. This is especially true if I make one-pot rice dishes like pulao and biryani. I often play around with the ingredients in my salad depending on what is available in my refrigerator at that time.When I made this particular salad, I had lots of ripe avocados which I feared might go bad and wasted if I didn't use them quickly! I decided to toss them into my regular cucumber-tomato-onion salad. The result was a nice and creamy salad which even the kids enjoyed. Since I avoid dairy, most of the time I use olive oil-lemon juice marinade.I again play around with the herbs, the most common one that I use being cilantro( coriander leaves). I cannot help it, it is the Indian in me.:)
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
Cucumber: 1 medium sized.
Avocado: 1 medium sized.
Tomato: 1 medium sized.
Onion: 1 medium sized(Any onion can be used, I have used yellow)
Scallions( spring onion): 3
Lemon juice: from 1/2-1 lemon ( depending on the size)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tbsp
Cilantro: 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Sea Salt: to taste
Black pepper: 1/2 tsp, freshly ground
Method:
Peel one cucumber and dice it. Dice one tomato, one onion( I have used white onion) and one avocado & add to the bowl. Chop up 3-4 scallions( spring onions) and add to the bowl. Now squeeze 1 tbsp lemon juice into the bowl. Add 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped cilantro/coriander leaves, 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper, sea-salt to taste and toss well.
Serve chilled.
Enjoy!
Cooking made easy:
The avocado when tossed like this in the salad, it gives a nice creaminess to the salad.
Lemon juice in the salad prevents the avocados from discoloring.
You can also add black/ green olives , carrots diced small, red radish diced,small cauliflower florets, feta cheese or cottage cheese to this salad and make it even more interesting and nourishing.
Tip for healthy living:
Cucumber slices may help alleviate the dark circles underneath the eyes. Cut cucumber into 0.5 cms thick slice and place them on your eyes with your eyes closed for 20-30 minutes. Take a nap. You will wake up feeling refreshed.
Food for thought:
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.Confucius
