tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187939946987190646.post-69435145595228693902008-03-01T19:09:00.002+02:002008-03-15T08:34:04.208+02:00I have always enjoyed a small bowl of raita with my fiery hot curries. I loved the way the yoghurt cooled the heat in my throat and kept me ready for another bite.<br />Yet in summer, I felt like indulging myself in such mind-blowing ritual every night was definitely not good for my shapes. So I figured out another way of enjoying the sensational yoghurt mix - as a dressing to a vegetable salad.<br /><br />There are several ways of making raita. For a basic one, whisk some yoghurt with salt, pepper and cumin powder. Should you find it too sour, add a bit sugar. Then add chopped cilantro and sprinkle with paprika powder or chilli. Raitas can be further combined with <span style="font-style: italic;">chopped veggies, such as boiled potato, tomato, onion, grilled eggplant, blanched spinach with raisins or dates</span>. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ramki</span> of <a href="http://ramkicooks.blogspot.com/">One Page Cookbooks</a> compiled <a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_omh5NVW1jAg/R9ixTBnjx7I/AAAAAAAAAK4/Ujei-DH3_Jc/s1600-h/1001-raitas.jpg">1001 Raita</a> - a wonderful one-page matrix of different raita ingredeitns and flavors. My favorite one is:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/R9RAZwlZVZI/AAAAAAAAA_0/D2GUyg-wK3k/s1600-h/tomato_raita.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/R9RAZwlZVZI/AAAAAAAAA_0/D2GUyg-wK3k/s400/tomato_raita.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175832683038201234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">TOMATO RAITA</span><br /><ul><li>1 tomato, chopped</li><li>salt, pepper</li><li>1/4 tsp cumin powder</li><li>1/4 onion</li><li>1 tsp fresh coriander leaves</li><li>walnuts, chopped<br /></li><li>sweet paprika powder (try the smoked kind)</li><li>chilli powder<o:p></o:p></li></ul> <p class="MsoNormal">Whisk the yoghurt with spices, add a little water, if desired. Combine with the rest of ingredients and sprinkle with paprika powder. Garnish with cilantro.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Raita makes a wonderful accompaniment to hot curries as well as cooled salads.<br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to make raita different every time:</span><br /><br />- Try chopped baked potatoes or chopped fresh cucumber instead of tomato and walnuts.<br />- This raita can also be topped with a tablespoon of <a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/12/coconut-date-chutney.html">date chutney</a>.<br />- Right before serving, enrich the raita with some <a href="http://www.burntmouth.com/2007/06/tadka-baghar-or-popu.html">tadka</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/R9RAtAlZVaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/dldNWb_4OW8/s1600-h/raita_dressing2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_IbyrjeHfP0s/R9RAtAlZVaI/AAAAAAAAA_8/dldNWb_4OW8/s400/raita_dressing2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175833013750683042" border="0" /></a>Here is one with a simple vegetable salad (tomato, lettuce leaves, cucumber and olives) topped with shrimps (roasted with garlic, salt and black pepper).<br /><br />My healthy contribution to you, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andrew</span>. Nice to see you hosting <a href="http://www.spittoonextra.biz/waiter_theres_something_in_my_12.html">Waiter, there is something in my Salad</a>. I am looking forward to the round-up.zlamushkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12359856305294505035noreply@blogger.com