Raita

Guide Note

Raita is a condiment, a side dish and a salad. Because it is never cooked, it is a quick and easy food to make. It is made with yogurt mixed with vegetables or fruit and spices, and served chilled. Food historians are not sure if it evolved to add protein to vegetarian diets, or as a way to offset the spiciness of some Indian dishes.

Fast Facts

1. Also called: Pachadi
2. Has a cooling effect, balancing spicy food
3. Authentic version doesn't include cucumber
4. Similar to Tzatziki

Many ingredients can be added to basic raita, but the most basic form is:

1. Yogurt
2. Sugar
3. Cumin
4. Red and black pepper
5. Salt

Most raita served in United States Indian restaurants is basic raita with cucumber. However, raita has many variants. These include:

1. Kele ka raita: Raita with banana
2. Alu ka raita: Raita with potatoes
3. Kherre ka raita: Raita with cucumbers
4. Boondi raita: Raita with chickpea flour nuggets
5. Tamatar piaz ka raita: Raita with tomatoes and onion