**Cucumber and Cilantro Raita: A Cooling and Refreshing Side Dish for Summer Meals**
Raita, a traditional Indian condiment, is a creamy and tangy yogurt-based sauce that is often served alongside spicy dishes to cool and balance the palate. This refreshing side dish is incredibly versatile and can be made with a variety of vegetables, herbs, and spices. This article presents two delicious cucumber and cilantro raita recipes that are perfect for summer meals. The first recipe is a classic cucumber raita, made with fresh cucumbers, cilantro, and yogurt. The second recipe adds a spicy twist with the addition of green chilies and roasted cumin seeds. Both recipes are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences, making them a great option for a quick and healthy side dish or condiment.
CUCUMBER-LIME RAITA
Cool cucumber adds crunch and texture to this classic Indian yogurt dip, brightened by lime and cilantro. Serve it as a condiment alongside spicy foods like curry or jerk chicken.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories condiment
Time 40m
Yield 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine the cucumber and 1 teaspoon salt in colander set over a bowl, toss to combine and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Use your hands to squeeze as much moisture as possible from the cucumbers, then transfer them to a bowl. Stir in the yogurt, cilantro and lime zest and juice. Season the raita with more salt and pepper then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 2 days.
CUCUMBER RAITA WITH BLACK MUSTARD AND CILANTRO
While this cooling yogurt sauce recipe is welcome alongside spicy foods, it is also amazing slathered on flatbreads or spooned over basmati rice. This recipe is from Gunpowder, an Indian restaurant in London.
Categories Bon Appétit Cucumber Yogurt Cilantro Sauce Condiment Sauce Secrets
Yield 3 cups
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Toast cumin seeds in a dry small saucepan over medium heat, shaking pan often, until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Transfer to a plate and let cool. Coarsely grind in a spice mill or coarsely chop with a chef's knife; set aside for serving.
- Heat oil and mustard seeds in a small skillet over medium until seeds begin to pop, about 1 minute. Let cool.
- Grate cucumbers on the medium holes of a box grater; squeeze out excess liquid with your hands and transfer to a medium bowl. Mix in yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and 1/3 cup cilantro; season with salt.
- To serve, drizzle raita with mustard oil, sprinkle with chili powder and reserved cumin, and top with cilantro sprigs.
CUCUMBER RAITA
Serve this cool, refreshing salad with my Lamb Tagine and Moroccan Couscous on this site. Make the salad early in the day and keep in the refrigerator to let the flavors blend and intensify. Add more mint to taste, but do not substitute dried mint; the flavor is just not the same.
Provided by BenevolentEmpress
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes
Time 3h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Stir together the cucumber, yogurt, lemon juice, mint, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 49.7 calories, Carbohydrate 2.8 g, Cholesterol 7.5 mg, Fat 3.3 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 2.5 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 61.7 mg, Sugar 2.1 g
COOL CUCUMBER RAITA
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories condiment
Time 40m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Put the yogurt, cilantro, cumin, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste, into a blender and puree until the mixture is smooth and green. Pour it into a bowl and fold in the cucumber and mint. Refrigerate at least 1/2 hour before serving to allow the flavors to develop. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving and drizzle with a little olive oil.
RAITA RECIPE
Raita Recipe- an Indian yogurt sauce with cucumber, mint and cilantro. Cooling and refreshing, serve this with spicy Indian dishes to cool the palate.
Provided by Sylvia Fountaine
Categories sauce
Time 15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 43 calories, Sugar 3.8 g, Sodium 85.9 mg, Fat 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 4.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 0.9 g, Cholesterol 3 mg
CUCUMBER RAITA
Provided by Food Network
Time 4h
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Line a colander with cheesecloth or muslin. Place a large bowl under the colander. Place yogurt in colander and let sit at room temperature for about four hours or cover and refrigerate overnight. Discard the liquid that has drained into the bowl and proceed with the recipe. Add the onion, cucumber, lemon juice, mint and cilantro and mix well.
CUCUMBER RAITA
An easy Cucumber Raita recipe
Provided by Linda Bladholm
Categories Condiment/Spread Sauce No-Cook Quick & Easy Yogurt Mint Spice Cucumber Summer Cilantro
Yield Serves 4 to 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel cucumber. Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch strips, then into thin slices crosswise. Blot off moisture with paper towels. Toast cumin seeds for a few seconds in a small, heavy frying pan over high heat. In a bowl, stir yogurt until it is smooth. Mix it with the cumin, garlic and coriander or mint leaves. Combine mixture with cucumber slivers, sprinkle with cayenne or paprika, and chill before serving.
CUCUMBER RAITA
Serve this raita as a refreshing side dish with grains or with any curry. Or enjoy it on its own for lunch.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories easy, quick, condiments
Time 20m
Yield Serves 4 as a side dish
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cut the cucumber into very small dice or grate on the large holes of a grater. Sprinkle with a generous amount of salt, toss and let sit in a colander in the sink for 15 minutes. Rinse briefly and squeeze dry in a kitchen towel. Transfer to a bowl.
- Beat the yogurt with a fork or a whisk and add the cayenne and garam masala. Toss with the cucumbers. Add the cilantro and chile and toss again. Taste and adjust salt. Chill until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 72, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 6 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 303 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams
CUCUMBER AND RADISH RAITA
This can be spicy or not, depending on what you are serving it with and your taste for heat. Cucumber raita (without the radishes) is a classic accompaniment to curries, but I like it on its own and spooned over grains. It's also very nice with salmon.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories easy, quick, condiments, salads and dressings
Time 5m
Yield 3 cups (6 servings)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine all the ingredients. Taste and adjust salt and other seasonings. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 64, UnsaturatedFat 0 grams, Carbohydrate 8 grams, Fat 1 gram, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 349 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams
Tips:
- Use fresh, crisp cucumbers. This will give your raita the best flavor and texture.
- Peel and seed the cucumbers if desired. This is not necessary, but it will make the raita smoother.
- Use full-fat yogurt. This will make the raita more creamy and flavorful.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. This will help to balance the flavors of the raita.
- Serve the raita chilled. This will make it more refreshing.
- Garnish the raita with fresh cilantro. This will add a pop of color and flavor.
Conclusion:
Cucumber and cilantro raita is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy side dish, give this cucumber and cilantro raita a try!
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