This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2024)

The cue to what the texture of a raita should be can be found in an old Hindi phrase: “raita fel gaya.” Raita fel gaya is used when you’re trying to denote a situation that gets botched up, with the word “fel” standing for something spreading out too thinly. Therefore a raita, under all circ*mstances, should effortlessly dribble.

Raita Should Be Thin

Unlike the thick yogurt-based dip that a raita is often thought to be, an Indian raita is more liquidy. It’s made with fresh yogurt or curd that hasn’t rested in the refrigerator for too long, or that hasn’t been strained like Greek yogurt. When whisked, this yogurt has a lot of natural whey, coupled with the water that the onions and tomatoes will release after swimming in a pool of cold curd for a while.

Different Types of Raita

Raita also has several variations. Some raitas come loaded with chunks of pineapple; some have grated cucumber; some are seasoned with a tempering of mustard seeds, coconut oil, and curry leaves. Sometimes even grated fruits such as an apple make their way into the raita.

Instant Pot Yogurt

My Favorite Addition to Raita

For my recipe, the standout ingredient though is boondi. Since I like to keep it minimal with onions, tomato and cucumber, it’s the addition of the fried and savory droplets of chickpea flour that, when added to cold yogurt, makes all the difference. Boondi moistens enough to have a texture, yet it does not disintegrate too soon. It also gives a unique bite to the raita.

What To Serve Raita With

A raita could also have only one of the ingredients mentioned in my recipe, like finely chopped tomatoes, spices and herbs, or just the onions and so on. Raita is served with a variety of dishes ranging from biryani, paratha, pulao, or with the great Indian thali, a smorgasbord of multiple Indian dishes that come together in one plate. A raita is a happy addition to the same.

What's the Difference Between Raita and Tzatziki?

Raita is made on the base of regular yogurt while tzatziki is made using Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner in consistency, while tzatziki has a dip-like thick texture. A raita will never have olive oil, while tzatziki is flavored with olive oil in certain recipes.

Tips for Making Cucumber Raita

  • Raita should be made fresh — It’s best to make the raita fresh, an hour before eating is ideal. Since ingredients such as cucumber, tomato and onion will release water and alter the consistency of the raita, always make it for immediate serving.
  • Don’t use Greek yogurt — For raita, use a regular yogurt, not Greek yogurt. Raita should have a thin consistency and Greek yogurt will make it too thick. If you only have Greek yogurt on hand, thin it out with cool water or milk.
  • How to roast cumin seeds — To make roasted cumin powder, add cumin seeds to a small skillet over medium-low heat. Let the seeds toast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the cumin is fragrant, 4 or 5 minutes. Transfer the seeds to a spice grinder or mortar and pestle and let cool completely before grinding.
  • About Kashmiri chilli powder — You can find Kashmiri chilli powder at Indian markets or online. If desired, you may substitute cayenne pepper, but keep in mind that cayenne pepper is hotter, so start with 1/4 teaspoon and add more to taste.

This cucumber raita was a wonderful accompaniment to the Indian food we had last night. The Kashmiri chili powder and chaat masala truly enhanced this condiment and will be great additions to your spice pantry. The boondi is easy to find in any well-stocked Indian market and adds a bit of delicious texture to the raita." —Diana Andrews

This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2)

A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Whisk the yogurt in a medium bowl until smooth. Stir in the cucumber, onion, and tomato. Season to taste with salt.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (4)

  3. Stir in the mint, cilantro, lemon juice, cumin, chilli powder, chaat masala, and green chilli, if using.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (5)

  4. 4 to 5 minutes before serving, mix in the boondi, if using. The boondi should absorb the yogurt and be moistened, but not disintegrated.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (6)

  5. Just before serving, garnish with a pinch more of cumin and chilli powder. If desired, garnish with more chopped mint and cilantro.

    This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (7)

How To Store Raita

Raita should be eaten fresh and not stored.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Add more or less spice—Vary the spices to suit your taste, adding more or less cumin, chilli powder, and chaat masala.
  • All ingredients are "to taste"—The proportions of onion, tomato, cucumber, and fresh herbs can also be modified as desired.
  • Use green onion—Substitute green onion for the white onion.
  • Make it spicy—For a raita with more heat, add the whole green chilli. Leave the seeds in for more spice or remove them for less.

The South Indian Pantry

  • Vegetable Recipes
  • Vegetarian Sauces
  • Indian Cooking Basics
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
57Calories
1g Fat
5g Carbs
8g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories57
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g1%
Saturated Fat 0g1%
Cholesterol 4mg1%
Sodium 96mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 5g2%
Dietary Fiber 1g2%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 8g
Vitamin C 2mg10%
Calcium 98mg8%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 178mg4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • raita
  • cucumber
  • yogurt
  • appetizer

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This Cooling Cucumber Raita Is Great With Everything (2024)

FAQs

How would you describe raita on a menu? ›

Raita is a condiment/side dish typically made of yogurt plus some combination of vegetables, spices, and if it's a fancy occasion, teeny fritters made of chickpea flour called boondi.

Is cucumber raita good for you? ›

Low In Calories

Cucumber is extremely low in calories, making it ideal for someone who is trying to shed those extra kilos. So, whenever you feel hungry, make yourself a bowl of cucumber raita and reap its benefits.

What is cucumber raita made of? ›

Cucumber Raita also known as Indian Cucumber Yogurt Sauce is a simple side dish made by mixing grated or chopped cucumbers with thick yogurt/Greek yogurt, salt and ground cumin. Sometimes ground black pepper, coriander leaves and mint leaves are also used.

How long can you keep raita in the fridge? ›

Add chilled water, a little at a time while mixing gently until you get the consistency you desire. Your raita should be thick and creamy. Chill the raita in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How would you describe a good menu? ›

It is essential to give each menu item an appealing name, provide a list of ingredients, and add persuasive food descriptions to entice customers to order them. Let your customers imagine each dish's flavors, textures, and aromas. Naming each dish is important, as it helps sell it.

How do you write a delicious menu? ›

7 Ways to Write Mouth-Watering Menu Descriptions
  1. Start with a catchy headline.
  2. Use sensory words to describe the dish.
  3. Appeal to different taste receptors.
  4. Use adjectives to create a vivid picture.
  5. Tell a story about the dish.
  6. Write as you would speak to someone face-to-face.

Is cucumber raita the same as tzatziki? ›

What's the Difference Between Raita and Tzatziki? Raita is made on the base of regular yogurt while tzatziki is made using Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner in consistency, while tzatziki has a dip-like thick texture. A raita will never have olive oil, while tzatziki is flavored with olive oil in certain recipes.

What does raita taste like? ›

At its core, raita is yogurt that's been mixed with a little bit of sugar, spices, and oftentimes vegetables and other textural components. When done right, raita has an addictive salty-sweet quality to it—it's the cooling foil to all of the hearty, warm spice-laden flavors of many Indian dishes.

How is raita meant to be eaten? ›

Raita can be served as a dip or a side dish. In the latter case, it is easiest to view it as a salad. In India, people snack on raita between courses to cool the mouth, or they mix it first with rice before eating it with a curry.

Can I eat cucumber raita at night? ›

Cucumber can be consumed at any time of the day or night as it helps to balance all the three doshas and helps to maintain the water content of the body. If you have weak or poor digestion then you must avoid taking at night because Cucumber seeds are heavy to digest.

What is raita called in English? ›

Raita is also sometimes simply called dahi, or "sourmilk", after its main ingredient, particularly in South African Indian cuisine.

Do you eat raita by itself? ›

Some raitas are happy to sit on the sidelines, while others are a meal in themselves.

What to serve with raita? ›

Cooling, creamy, minty cucumber raita is the quintessential accompaniment to Indian curries, kebabs, biryani and virtually any spicy dish. I love setting out a big bowl of cucumber raita on the table when I serve Indian food.

When should I eat raita? ›

The right way to consume curd

Consume with low fat/less oily foods. Eat with breakfast or lunch.

What is the fancy name of raita? ›

In South India, especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu, traditional raita is called pachadi, Tayir pachadi. In Eastern Nepal, the dish is known as dahi kakro ( lit. 'yogurt cucumber'), whereas in western regions of Nepal it is known as raito.

What are the adjectives used to describe Indian food? ›

Spicy, rich, flavourful and diverse are terms that are frequently used to describe Indian food. All these words are apt in describing Indian cuisine, for it is diverse in variety and taste, and is made up from a wide array of regional cuisines throughout various parts of India.

What's the difference between tzatziki and raita? ›

Raita is made with plain yogurt and tzatziki is made with thicker Greek yogurt. Raita is thinner while tzatziki has a thick consistency. They're used in different ways. Raita is a more versatile dish with many different recipes.

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