Cucumber Raita (Indian Yogurt Condiment) Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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.

Cucumber Raita is a creamy, crunchy Indian dip made with yogurt, chopped cucumbers, fresh herbs, and mild spices. This refreshing and cooling condiment is a must-have with biryani, pulao, and many Indian meals.

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.

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

If your supermarket has a brand of dahi or Greek yogurt then use that in curries. Tangy creamy yogurt is the best in Indian cuisine.

What is Raita eaten with? It can be eaten with all different kinds of Indian food like pulao, curries, vegetable dishes, rice dishes and naan bread, paratha, or roti. I also love to use it as a dip for pita chips or kebabs.

Raita is a yogurt-based condiment that can be as simple as yogurt seasoned with spice, or it can have a variety of vegetables, fruit, or even chickpea fritters (called boondi) stirred into it. This is the most classic version; it includes crisp cucumbers and is gently spiced with a touch of chaat masala.

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.

If you do not use a firmer yogurt to start, you will end up with a watery Raita. Since you used regular yogurt and actually added water, perhaps you either used fewer cucumbers, did not let yours sit in the refrigerator to blend the flavors as long as I did, or perhaps you just like it watery.

How to tell if yogurt has gone bad? ›

*If liquid gets cloudy, thick or slimy - don't eat. *If yogurt smells or is unusually lumpy - don't eat. *If yogurt has an orange/pinkish colour on top - that's the start of mold - don't eat. *If yogurt has any signs of mold - don't scoop out the mold - the whole container is unsafe.

And, curd that you mix with cucumber has properties that balance cortisol production. Adding cucumber raita to your diet is great because this is a light and healthy food option that not only helps in digestion but light for your stomach and good for your cardiovascular health.

Raita is South Asian-style whisked yogurt often made with spices and vegetables such as cucumbers, onion. It is versatile and serves as perfect accompaniment to many South Asian dishes such as biryani, pulao, and vegetarian curries (especially dry ones like this Mixed Vegetable Curry).

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.

A serving of cucumber -- one-half a cup -- is about 8 calories. They have small amounts of vitamin K and vitamin A and are about 95% water. They also have several phytonutrients (plant chemicals) called lignans.