Spiced cucumber raita, a refreshing and flavorful yogurt-based dish, is a popular accompaniment to Indian meals. The combination of crisp, cool cucumbers, tangy yogurt, and aromatic spices creates a delectable dish that balances the heat of spicy curries and adds a touch of freshness to any meal. With its versatility and ease of preparation, spiced cucumber raita has become a staple in Indian cuisine. Whether served as a side dish, a dipping sauce, or a cooling condiment, this delightful recipe is sure to tantalize your taste buds and complement a wide range of culinary creations.
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GROUND LAMB KOFTO KEBABS WITH POMEGRANATE GLAZE, BENGALI-SPICED POTATOES AND PERSIAN CUCUMBER RAITA
Provided by Aarti Sequeira
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 44
Steps:
- For the raita: Mix the cucumber, mint, garlic, and yogurt together in a large bowl with plenty of salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill.
- For the potatoes: Fill a large pot with cool water and put over high heat. Add the potatoes and a hefty dose of salt. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and push them through a potato ricer. Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the panch puran seasoning. Cook the seasoning blend until fragrant and the spices begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and saute until tender and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the potatoes and flatten them with a spatula, cook about 5 minutes, stirring and flattening a few times, until the bottom gets a little crispy. Season the potatoes with salt, and pepper, to taste, and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the parsley, mint, shallot, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse until finely minced. Add the mixture to a bowl with the ground lamb, baking soda and lots of salt and pepper, to taste. Knead until the mixture turns sticky, looks like a piece of knitted fabric, and holds its shape. Pull off a small ball of meat and shape into a fat cylinder. Thread a skewer through the middle lengthwise, and smooth the meat down the skewer until it's even all the way down. Repeat with rest of the meat mixture. Put the kebabs on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little more oil. Combine the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Light a grill or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Arrange the kebabs on the hot grill, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, generously brushing with the pomegranate mixture. Cook the kebabs until browned, about 6 minutes.
- Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter and serve with the potatoes and raita on the side.
- For the raita: Mix the cucumber, mint, garlic, and yogurt together in a large bowl with plenty of salt and pepper, to taste. Cover and chill.
- For the potatoes: Fill a large pot with cool water and put over high heat. Add the potatoes and a hefty dose of salt. Bring to a boil, and then simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Once the potatoes are cooked, drain and push them through a potato ricer. Heat the canola oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the panch puran seasoning. Cook the seasoning blend until fragrant and the spices begin to pop, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and saute until tender and lightly browned. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the potatoes and flatten them with a spatula, cook about 5 minutes, stirring and flattening a few times, until the bottom gets a little crispy. Season the potatoes with salt, and pepper, to taste, and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine the parsley, mint, shallot, lemon zest, and garlic and pulse until finely minced. Add the mixture to a bowl with the ground lamb, baking soda and lots of salt and pepper, to taste. Knead until the mixture turns sticky, looks like a piece of knitted fabric, and holds its shape. Pull off a small ball of meat and shape into a fat cylinder. Thread a skewer through the middle lengthwise, and smooth the meat down the skewer until it's even all the way down. Repeat with rest of the meat mixture. Put the kebabs on an oiled baking sheet and drizzle with a little more oil. Combine the pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and mustard in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Light a grill or heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
- Arrange the kebabs on the hot grill, turning every 2 to 3 minutes, generously brushing with the pomegranate mixture. Cook the kebabs until browned, about 6 minutes.
- Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter and serve with the potatoes and raita on the side.
INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN PATTIES WITH CUCUMBER RAITA
Taken from Australian Food Ideas December 2006/January 2007. Recipe was originally submitted by Dominique Rizzo.
Provided by Satyne
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 18m
Yield 12 Patties, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place bread in a food processor. Processs until breadcrumbs form. Add chicken, mint, turmeric, paprika, cumin and coriander seeds. Process until mixture comes together. Using 1/4 cup mixutre pet patty, make twelve 1cm thick patties.
- Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties, in batches, for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
- Raita: - Best made for immediate use as per Jubes review.
- Meanwhile, using a vegetable peeler, peel long, thin strips from cucumber. Place cucumber, yoghurt, parsley, mint, 1 teaspoon lemon rind and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Serve patties with normal burger fixings, using Raita as the sauce.
SPICED CUCUMBER RAITA
Steps:
- 1. Toast the cumin and coriander seed in a small hot pan over medium heat, 3 to 5 minutes, or until toasted. Process the seeds in a spice grinder until powdery.
- 2. Combine the spice powder with the yogurt, cucumber, 2 tablespoons cilantro, lime juice, vegetable oil, and chile with 1 tablespoon water in a bowl. Top with remaining cilantro.
- 3. Grill or toast the naan until warm, brush with butter. Serve the raita with the warm naan.
Tips:
- Choose the right cucumbers: For the best raita, use fresh, crisp cucumbers. English or Persian cucumbers are ideal, as they have a mild flavor and thin skin.
- Peel the cucumbers if desired: Peeling the cucumbers is optional, but it will give the raita a smoother texture. If you do peel the cucumbers, be sure to remove the seeds as well.
- Grate the cucumbers: The easiest way to grate the cucumbers is to use a box grater. You can also use a food processor fitted with a grating blade.
- Salt the cucumbers: Salting the cucumbers helps to draw out excess moisture and makes them more flavorful. Be sure to rinse the cucumbers thoroughly after salting them.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as cilantro, mint, and dill, add a lot of flavor to raita. Be sure to chop the herbs finely before adding them to the raita.
- Adjust the spices to taste: The amount of spices you use in your raita is up to you. Start with a small amount and add more to taste. Be sure to taste the raita before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.
Conclusion:
Spiced cucumber raita is a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Whether you like it mild or spicy, this raita is sure to please everyone at your table.
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