wisdom

Raita is a savory yogurt often served as a side to any meal. Yogurt is the main ingredient in all raitas, but by itself, it is sour, heating and difficult to digest. The spices in these recipes help make it more digestible and the ghee stimulates agni, our digestive fire.

Ingredients

1 cup plain yoghurt
2 Tbsp ghee
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
2-3 curry leaves
1/2 finely chopped green chili (serrano - can be seeded to eliminate 'bite'!)
2 finely chopped shallots (or red onion)
Small piece of finely chopped ginger
Pinch hing
Salt & fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
Paprika
Sweet tamarind chutney

Prepare
Warm ghee over medium heat in small saucepan
Add whole spices and bloom until fragrant (do not let brown)
Add curry leaves, chili, ginger, hing, and shallots and saute until soft
Fold in prepared mixture to yogurt and
Season to taste with salt and pepper and chill

Garnish
Top with a dollop of sweet tamarind chutney, paprika (or red chili powder), cilantro