Cucumber Raita
Recipe: Cucumber Raita
Cucumber Raita is a filling, delicious, refreshing, cooling and quick to make side dish. Enjoy it on its own as a summer treat or serve with some curry, rice, biryani, pulao, etc. Whenever we invite guests over for a meal, either raita or chaas is always on the menu. An excellent way to enjoy protein rich yogurt. During summer, whenever I want a light cooling meal I prefer making raita. There are a huge variety of raita one can make.
What Is A Raita?
Raita is an Indian Sub-Continent yogurt based side dish that is usually prepared to offset or balance a spicy meal. Raw or cooked vegetables, fruits are added to the yogurt or curd along with some spices. Generally, very little green chilli or red chilli powder is added. It should be mildly hot. Though it is mainly served with curries or rice dishes, many people now tend to enjoy it as a light refreshing and cooling meal.
Memories
Last Friday and Saturday were very hot and humid. I made some cucumber raita for myself as I didn’t want to have the regular lunch. Suddenly the weather took a turn on Sunday and it has been raining till now. Watching the rains from my window is fine but getting out is yucky! Today, I had to go out to do some veggie and fruit shopping, got wet and feet were dirty. Why don’t we dress up according to the weather in the tropical countries? In the western country umbrellas, raincoats, rain boots, slacks etc comes out whereas I have noticed in Kenya and India, we still wear open sandals, carry an umbrella and that’s it. The small umbrellas are a nightmare as they offer no protection and keep on turning inside out!
Yesterday, I carried one of those huge umbrellas while going to Nakumatt our local supermarket. I just have to cross the main street in front of my apartment and we are there. On a normal sunny day, that’s not a problem but during the rains it’s a different story altogether. Firstly, the matatus (our public transport vans with ruthless drivers) have no qualms about splashing you with the murky rainwater. I get the feeling they purposely go into the puddles to trouble the pedestrians. Then the pavements are filled with mud and sand making it difficult to walk without slipping. Ah yes coming to the huge umbrellas, everyone carries one so you actually land up hitting each other with it. Someone has to give way and in the process get even more wet. So will I be walking out next time in a raincoat in Mombasa, not really as I don’t own one. I will just avoid getting out in the rain as much as I can.
Some More Raita Recipes
Ingredients Required For Cucumber Raita
Yogurt
The yogurt should be plain and thick. Watery yogurt will result in a very runny raita. Also make sure the yogurt is not too sour.
Cucumber
If the cucumber peel is thin like the English or Persian Cucumber then you don’t need to peel it off. However, if the skin is thick, best to peel the cucumber. Also do not add any mature cucumber seeds. Scoop them out before grating the cucumber. Use a box grater, the large side.
Fresh Fruit
Any fresh fruit added along with cucumber makes the raita totally different from the usual one. I like adding either pomegranate, finely chopped apple, grapes, pineapple, strawberries or mango.
Cumin Powder
Add some for flavour. I roast cumin seeds lightly in a pan over low heat. Once they begin to crackle and turn a bit dark brown I transfer them to a plate to cool. Then process to a powder using a spice mill.
Coarse Mustard Powder
This is an optional ingredient. They are called rai na kuriya in Gujarati. We tend to add it to any raita we make. Adds a lovely pungent flavour.
Salt
Add according to your taste.
Sugar
Helps to balance the flavours. Don’t need to make the raita too sweet.
Green Chilli
Finely chopped or minced. I prefer using minced. Add a little. Don’t make the raita too spicy.
Fresh Coriander
Finely chop fresh coriander. Add the stems if they are tender as they are flavourful.
Other Options
- Replace the fruit with savoury boondi.
- Add fresh mint.
CUCUMBER RAITA
Ingredients
- 1 cup thick plain yogurt
- ½ cup cucumber grated
- ¼ cup fresh fruit finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh coriander chopped
- 1 green chilli thinly sliced or minced
- 1 tsp coarse mustard powder
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp sugar
Instructions
- If the peel of the cucumber is thin and nice, then grate the cucumber with it. No need to peel it. I got about ½ cup grated cucumber from one small one.
- Mix all the ingredients together.
- Chill the raita for 1-2 hours and serve.
Notes
- I prefer to use thick yogurt. If its homemade yogurt, place it in a muslin cloth to drain out the excess water.
Adjust the spices according to your taste. - Add any fruit of your choice. Can omit fruit.
- Add some savoury boondi if you like.
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A Small Request
If you do try this recipe then please either
- add a comment below,
- send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
- tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
- or comment on Pinterest @mayuri62
6 Comments
Priya Suresh
October 7, 2014 at 9:17 pm
Very refreshing and beautiful raita..looks too good.
Hema
October 8, 2014 at 4:54 pm
Colorful and delicious raitha..
Sangeetha M
October 9, 2014 at 2:19 pm
Interesting and delicious raita..nice!
Shobha Kamath
October 11, 2014 at 10:39 am
Very interesting raita combo – cucumber and pomegranate. Loved it!
beena stephen
October 12, 2014 at 7:34 am
Refreshing colorful raita. Love ie
Navaneetham Krishnan
October 13, 2014 at 10:20 am
I simply love raita but never added pomegranate. Thanks and next round, it will be added.