Like most fresh, uncooked food, raita is packed with nutrients and is good for the skin. This curd preparation is filled with colour and flavour too. Low-fat curd provides the much-needed nutrients such as calcium and protein. Raita can be prepared using a variety of ingredients such as vegetables, fruits and nuts with a dash of roasted cumin seed powder, curry leaves and spices. Spicy food can be balanced with raita, such as one made with cucumber.
Here are a few recipes of raitas made with veggies, fruits and plenty more.
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2 cups fresh curd
1 cup mashed potatoes
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1 tsp roasted cumin seeds powder
Half tsp chilli powder
Salt to taste
Tamarind chutney for garnish
Method
Whisk curd till smooth. Add mashed potatoes, cumin, red chilli powder and salt. Blend in a liquidiser. Chill in a refrigerator. Serve garnished with tamarind chutney.
Bottle Gourd Raita
Ingredients
2 cups bottle gourd (chopped and boiled)
1 cup fresh curd
1 tsp mustard seeds
2 green chillies, chopped
A few curry leaves
1 tsp sugar
A handful of chopped coriander leaves
Half tsp roasted cumin seed powder
Half tsp chaat masala
Quarter tsp chilli powder
Oil for cooking
Salt to taste
Method
Heat a little oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they crackle, add green chillies and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds. Add bottle gourd and sauté for few minutes. Add sugar and salt and mix well. Mash lightly and allow it to cool. Whisk curd till smooth and add to cooked bottle gourd. Add cumin seed powder, chaat masala and chilli powder and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve chilled.
Mixed Fruit Raita
Ingredients
3 cups fresh curd
1 big potato boiled, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 small cucumber cut into cubes
Half cup grapes
One tbsp pomegranate seeds
Quarter cup pineapple, cut into small pieces
A handful of chopped coriander leaves
A pinch of sugar
A large pinch of black salt
2 tsp roasted cumin seeds powder
Half tsp chilli powder
5 to 6 cherry tomatoes (for garnishing)
Salt to taste
Method
Beat the curd till smooth. Add potato, cucumber, fruits, salt, sugar, black salt, cumin seeds powder, chilli powder, coriander leaves and mix well. Keep chilled. Garnish with cherry tomatoes and serve.
Mint and Coriander Raita
Ingredients
1 cup fresh curd
Three-fourth cup mint leaves
Half cup coriander leaves
1 green chilli, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 onion grated
Half tsp chaat masala
Quarter tsp chilli powder
Half tsp roasted cumin seeds powder
A pinch of sugar (optional)
A pinch of black salt
Salt to taste
Method
Grind mint and coriander leaves, green chilli, garlic with very little water to make a paste. Whisk curd till smooth and mix well with onion, spices, salt, sugar, black salt and the mint-coriander paste. Chill and serve with biriyani or pulao.