Raita Recipe

Are you ready for a spicy adventure that will leave you amazed? Join me as we uncover the delightful world of raita—a chilled concoction that adds a burst of flavour and a touch of magic to your favourite Indian dishes.

Picture this: a velvety yoghurt base infused with fragrant herbs, aromatic spices, and a colourful medley of crisp vegetables. Raita, often underestimated but oh-so-important, has the power to transform any meal into a memorable feast.

What to Serve Raita With

Raita, with its cool and creamy nature, is the perfect pairing to a wide array of dishes in Indian cuisine. Whether you’re indulging in a spicy curry, savouring aromatic biryanis, or relishing the flavours of kebabs, raita effortlessly complements and enhances the overall dining experience.

When paired with rich and robust curries, raita acts as a refreshing counterbalance. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour help to soothe the palate and tame the heat of the spices, creating a harmonious balance of flavours. The coolness of raita not only provides relief from the spiciness but also adds a delightful contrast in temperature, elevating the overall enjoyment of the meal. Be it a fiery chicken tikka masala, a velvety butter paneer, or a fragrant lentil dal, a dollop of raita on the side brings a refreshing twist and complements the depth of flavours in the curry.

Apart from curries, raita also pairs exceptionally well with aromatic biryanis and pulao rice dishes. The vibrant and aromatic rice preparations find a perfect companion in raita, which adds a refreshing element to the plate. The creamy yoghurt base of raita harmonizes with the fragrant spices of the biryani or pulao, creating a delightful contrast. With each spoonful, the combination of tender rice, succulent meat or vegetables, and the cooling raita creates a symphony of flavours that is sure to leave your taste buds satisfied.

Additionally, raita brings its unique touch to grilled or tandoori dishes such as kebabs or tikka. The smoky flavours of these dishes are beautifully balanced by the tangy and creamy nature of raita. The coolness and slight acidity of raita provide a refreshing interlude amidst the robust charred flavours, creating a well-rounded dining experience. A generous spoonful of raita alongside your succulent tandoori chicken or flavourful seekh kebabs not only enhances the taste but also adds a textural element, making each bite an explosion of flavours.

In summary, raita is a versatile and indispensable accompaniment in Indian cuisine. Whether you’re enjoying a fiery curry, a fragrant biryani, or smoky grilled dishes, raita is the perfect partner to elevate your dining experience.Its cool and creamy nature, combined with its tangy and refreshing flavour, adds balance and harmony to a wide range of dishes, ensuring a delightful and satisfying meal every time.

Tips & Tricks

• To get a drizzle-able consistency, use a blender this causes the yoghurt to lose its thickness.  A lot of recipes say to add water but this just dilutes flavour.
• If you want a thicker raita then chop or blend all the ingredients excluding the yoghurt, then stir the yoghurt in at the end.
• Skip the chilli if your looking for completely spice (heat) free raita.

Raita Recipe

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Craving a refreshing and tangy side dish to complement your favourite Indian meals? Look no further than this delightful raita recipe! Bursting with creamy yoghurt, fragrant herbs, and a medley of crisp vegetables, raita is the perfect accompaniment to add a cool and flavorful twist to your dining experience. Whether you're serving it with spicy curries, aromatic biryanis, or grilled delights, this easy-to-make raita recipe will leave you wanting more. Get ready to whip up a bowl of this irresistible goodness and elevate your Indian cuisine to new heights!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds toasted (or 1/2 tsp ground cumin powder)
• Handful (1/2 cup) coriander leaves
• Half a handful (1/4 cup) mint leaves
• 1 x green chilli, deseeded (leave this out if you don't want any spice/heat)
• 1x  garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 200g / 1 cup yoghurt

Instructions

1. Heat a small skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the cumin seeds to the skillet and toast them, stirring and shaking the skillet often, for 1-2 minutes. The seeds will deepen in colour and become highly aromatic.
3. Remove the skillet from heat and allow the toasted cumin seeds to cool slightly.
4. Transfer the toasted cumin seeds to a blender, spice grinder, food processor mortar and pestle, then grind them into a powder.
5. Then add the coriander leaves, mint leaves, chilli, garlic clove, salt, lemon juice and yoghurt.
6. Blend the mixture, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed, until it reaches a fine consistency. The result should be a runny sauce.
7. Taste the raita and adjust the seasoning, adding salt or more lemon juice if desired.