Exotic Cuisine

by The Oxford Chronicle

Cucumber Raita

March 24th, 2008 by Chaashni Mahmoud

This is a cool, refreshing yogurt and cucumber relish.  In the summer it can be used in place of a salad.

1 cucumber
16 oz plain yogurt
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon roasted, ground cumin seeds*
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1/8 teaspoon paprika (for garnishing)

Peel and grate the cucumber, set aside on a paper towel to dry. 

Empty the yogurt into a serving dish and best with a fork until it is smooth and paste-like.

Add the cucumber, salt, black pepper, roasted cumin (reserve a pinch for garnish) and cayenne to the bowl of whipped yogurt.

Sprinkle with pinch of cumin and paprika.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Yield: 4-6 servings

*To roast cumin, place desired amount of whole seeds in heavy frying pan (cast iron is best) over a medium flame.  Stir 2 or 3 minutes or until seeds turn a darker brown.  Remove from heat and crushed with a mortar and pestle or with a rolling pin.  It is best when freshly roasted, but you could keep it a few days in a tightly covered jar.

Excerpted from An Invitation to Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffrey. Copyright © 1973, Madhur Jaffrey.

Posted in Chutneys, Pickles & Other Relishes