Come summers, the heat wave that spreads across certain parts of India leaves most people dehydrated and tired. Due to the effects of the season on the body, it is always recommended to drink lots of fluids and eat food that keeps you cool. While there are several fruits and vegetables that are high in water-content and suitable for summer, a great idea is to add them to curd to make raitas. Raita, for the unversed, is an Indian side dish made with curd, that is often loaded with finely chopped vegetables, and sometimes, even fruits. Since curd, or dahi, is considered a superfood during summers, making a side dish with it adds to its cooling effect.
A commonly-eaten raita with meals is boondi raita. Crunchy, fried balls made of besan are dunked into a bowl of curd and spruced up with red chilli powder, roasted cumin seeds, black pepper, and salt. This adds a crunchy edge to the meal. Similarly, home chef and Slurrp Community member, Sonia Sarpal, shares three different ways to make raita. Starting with a fruity pineapple and pomegranate raita, she also shares the recipe of a rich Kashmiri walnut raita and raita that can be paired with biryani.
1. Anarkali Pineapple Raita
Ingredients:
• 2 cups curd
• 1/2cup pomegranate arils
• 1 cup chopped pineapple
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp roasted jeera powder
Method:
1. Take curd in a bowl and add pomegranate arils in it.
2. Throw in chopped pineapples and mix it all together.
3. Then, sprinkle salt, red chilli powder and roasted jeera powder to the bowl.
4. Combine it all together and garnish with some pomegranate arils, cut pineapple and black pepper.
Source: Slurrpapp/Instagram
Kashmiri Walnut Raita
Ingredients:
• 2 cups curd
• 1/2 cup grated radish
• 1/2 cup crushed walnut
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
Method:
1. In a bowl, take some curd and add grated radish to it.
2. Crush some walnuts and add them to the raita for nuttiness.
3. Sprinkle salt and red chilli powder and enjoy.
Vegetable Raita With Biryani
Ingredients:
• 2 cups curd
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato
• 1/2 cup chopped cucumber
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1/2 tsp jeera powder
• Coriander leaves for garnishing
• Chopped green chillies (optional)
Method:
1. To make this raita, add chopped vegetables like tomatoes, onion and cucumber to curd. Finely chop these veggies for better taste.
2. Next, take some garam masala, jeera powder and salt and add it to the mix.
3. Throw in some green chillies for a spicy touch. Garnish with coriander leaves and pair with a plate of biryani.