Raita(yogurt based) - An Indian Accompaniment

We Indians love our home fixed curd and the 'add on' which I am sure all house holds from north to south would be doing.I am today going to list all lovely combinations which can be tried and enjoyed by all.A list of vegetables,fruits and dry fruits that can be added to curd to give it a name called raita.

 1)Vegetables that can be used are- Onion finely chopped, Tomato finely chopped, Boiled potato chopped      
     Cucumber chopped/grated, Boiled Bottlegourd (doodhi/lauki), Grated Carrots,Spinach boiled mashed
     Grated beet root,Roasted brinjal,Boiled corn,Deepfried ladyfinger.

  2)Fruits that can be used -Pineapple chopped,Banana chopped, Apple chopped,Grapes,Pomegrante
  3)Herbs used-Fresh green coriander,Mint, Bathua( white hen/goosefoot)boiled and mashed .
  4)Savouries -Boondi (Besan flour fried balls),
  5)Dry fruits- Raisins,Almonds, Makhane(foxnut), Cashewnut.

•    Basic preparation needs the curd to be whisked and salted to your taste.
•    We can add sugar when sweet fruit Raita to be done.
•    Adding dry roasted Jeera powder!!! adds wonderful flavour
•    Adding black salt !!!too adds nice flavour and fragrance
•   Usually veggies to be added are grated/chopped finely before.
•   Coriander green adds freshness to all raitas .
•   Mint raita requires mint to be grinded in paste form and one tea spoon adds distinct colour n flavour.
•   Makhana raita requires presoaking of the nut in water and then squeezed to be added. 

•   Mixed raita is done by incorporating onion,tomato,cucumber all chopped and added.
•   Combos done are- Mintcucumber, Potatoonion,    Oniontomato, Pineappleanddryfruits
•   How about adding roasted peanuts!!
•   Adding beet root grated brings nice pink colour
•   All veggies boiled are squeezed to be added to curd
•   Enjoy fruits raita sprinkled with green cardamom powder
•   Crispy bhindi raita is also great with veg biryani.
•   Hung curd is utilised for dips with salad.
•   Blended curd forms lassi favourite yogurt drink.

Tempered Raitas-Sometimes we can temper with Jeera/Mustard seeds and Curry leaves to enhance flavour,In Winters it brings warmth to palate too.

Bathua raita recipe-
We boil the herb and mash it and add  to yogurt and adding jeera powder and black salt makes it yummy.
green colour and subtle flavour makes it  my favourite one in winters to be accompanied with paranthas.

 Serve chilled and enjoy with all kinds of your favourite food!!!