When the winter season comes knocking, it is also that time of the year when the freshest fruits and veggies become available across the Indian subcontinent. Different types of cucumbers – the crispy, green and watery salad favourite – make their presence known during this weather. A delicious raita prepared using cucumber and some sharply flavoured mint leaves is all about working on a crunchy, refreshing side dish to pair with a host of different dishes, including warm curries and rotis.
The creamy, herb-forward recipe highlights the crispy textures of cucumber and the chill and light spice of fresh mint becomes a wonderful flavour accompaniment with several dishes. Bringing that creamy and lightly decadent touch to the recipe is a generous proportion of curd. The creaminess of the dahi or the curd, especially if homemade, brings a certain coolness into the recipe, which matches the watery effect of the cucumber. The combination of cucumber, mint and curd is then a flavorful op
When the winter season comes knocking, it is also that time of the year when the freshest fruits and veggies become available across the Indian subcontinent. Different types of cucumbers – the crispy, green and watery salad favourite – make their presence known during this weather. A delicious raita prepared using cucumber and some sharply flavoured mint leaves is all about working on a crunchy, refreshing side dish to pair with a host of different dishes, including warm curries and rotis.
The creamy, herb-forward recipe highlights the crispy textures of cucumber and the chill and light spice of fresh mint becomes a wonderful flavour accompaniment with several dishes. Bringing that creamy and lightly decadent touch to the recipe is a generous proportion of curd. The creaminess of the dahi or the curd, especially if homemade, brings a certain coolness into the recipe, which matches the watery effect of the cucumber. The combination of cucumber, mint and curd is then a flavorful option, either served by itself as a salad bowl or whipped up quickly on weekday dinners.
Particularly interesting is the way the cucumber and mint pairing complements the spiciness of Indian masalas, especially at meals that include aromatic and flavourful dishes like biryanis and kebabs. So too, with several parathas, such as a mixed veggie or aloo paratha. In fact, parathas are rather incomplete without a cucumber raita. The parathas can be lathered in the cucumber and mint raita to tone down some of the more pronounced masala flavours in the warm flatbreads.
Making the cucumber and mint raita as an accompaniment with the main course at mealtimes becomes a very fulfilling activity that completes the menu. At dinner, the experience of having biryani or kebabs is rendered in full when they are accompanied by the crisp and fresh flavours of this simple but rather interesting accompaniment. So, make a warm biryani and serve it with the classic cucumber and mint raita the next time you are hosting friends and family at home for dinner.
