Delicious Raita Recipes

A delicious accompaniment served with Indian meals, raita is a yogurt (curd) based preparation made in sweet or salty forms. Usually served along with the main course like pulao, biryanis, paranthas and more, a bowl of raita can be enjoyed on its own too.

Raita is refreshing and very popular in summers when the mercury levels are on the rise. It’s cooling properties also help in balancing out the heat emanating from spices and meats and all you need to make a bowl of raita is some whisked yogurt and select fruits and vegetables.

We believe, there is a raita recipe to go along with almost every kind of meal and many of us have that one favorite recipe. Lets have a look at some easy and delicious raita recipes.

Boondi Raita

Boondi (tiny fried gram balls) Raita is one of the easiest raita recipe that can be prepared at home with few ingredients.

Image Source

• Soak half cup boondi in warm water for 10 mins. This softens up the boondi and removes the extra oil.
• Squeeze out the water from the boondi and add it to a bowl of whisked yogurt.
• Mix it properly.
• Add dry spice powders like roasted cumin powder (jeera powder), red chili powder, some rock salt and sugar to taste.
• Give it a good stir.
• Season it with chopped coriander and serve.

Cucumber Raita

Cucumber cools, hydrates and is known for its numerous health benefits.

• Add 1 diced or grated cucumber to a bowl of whisked yogurt.
• Add some red chili powder to taste.
• Add some rock salt as required.
• Give it a good stir.
• Season it with chopped coriander or mint leaves.
• One can even add onions and tomatoes to this preparation.

Banana Raita

Tease your taste buds with this sweet raita preparation.

Image Source -  Renée - Creative Commons

1. Slice a banana and add it to a bowl of whisked yogurt.
2. Add 2-3 teaspoons spoons of sugar.
3. Give everything a good mix and leave it in the refrigerator for an hour to chill. Serve garnished with some seasonal berries of choice.
4. Have it after your meal to satiate those sweet cravings.
 

Mixed Fruit Raita

Apart from being delicious and healthy, a mixed fruit raita is a good variation to the raita recipe.

• Simply chop fruits like pineapple, apples and any other fruit of your choice.
• Combine them with the bowl of whisked yogurt. Add some pomegranate pearls.
• Add some sugar, salt and other spice powders (if desired).
• Mix well and your fruit raita is ready.

Mango Raita

Make most of the mango season with this exotic mango raita recipe.

Picture For Representation Purpose Only

• Dice 1-2 mangoes and add them to a bowl of whisked yogurt.
• Add 1-2 spoons of sugar (optional).
• Give the mixture a good stir and in 2 simple steps your raita is ready.
• Garnish with few chopped mango pieces.

Vegetable Raita

Image Source -  Heather Sperling - Creative Commons

• Mix finely chopped carrots, bell peppers (any colour), onions, tomatoes, cucumber and any other vegetable of your choice with a large bowl of whisked yogurt.
• Add salt and dried masalas as per taste.
• Garnish with roasted cumin powder and serve.

Chilli Raita

Like things spicy? Try this chilli raita recipe to add a zing to your meal times.

• Mix some chopped green chillies and salt to taste with a bowl of whisked yogurt. 
• Mix it well. Garnish with a pinch of red chilli powder and serve chilled.