Raita Recipe: The Story Of An Important Indian Condiment !
Indian cuisines are considered to be incomplete without side dishes. The entire meal consists of a main dish and multiple side dishes that can be relished along with the main dish. There are over 50 different types of side dishes with each of them having a specific purpose. Some side dishes are simply meant to enhance the palate while some of them serve as coolants.
One of the most popular type of side dish is called Raita which is a yoghurt-based dish. Some people might refer to it as a condiment but the purpose of this dish is quite different in comparison to other condiments like salt, pepper, radish, mustard, onions, etc. A Raita recipe will always be made with yoghurt but the other ingredients can be altered to make different types of raita recipes.
Dissecting The Types Of Raita Recipes
Fruits like pineapple, papaya and vegetables like carrot, cucumber, onion are often added. The choice of vegetable or fruits will depend on the type of dish it has been served with. Since India has a rich food culture and has different types of dishes in different regions, a raita recipe will also fall in a wide range category.
Some very popular types of fruit-based Raita recipes are:
1. Pineapple Raita
2. Mango Raita
3. Banana Raita
4. Grape Raita
5. Pomegranate Raita
6. Pear Raita
Some popular types of vegetable-based Raita recipes are:
1. Cucumber Raita
2. Carrot Raita
3. Beetroot Raita
4. Mint Raita
5. Onion Coriander Raita
6. Spinach Raita
As discussed before, Raitas can serve different purposes such as of a side dish when eaten with Paratha, Biryani, pulao and even seekh kabab. It can also become a dressing to different types of salads and pasta recipes. Another non-traditional method is to treat it as a sauce while eating seafood recipes like Salmon, meat-based recipes like grilled chicken and a snack accompaniment to Tacos. These are just some of the examples how a recipe for Raita can be already to make it a multi-purpose condiment or to some people, a delicious side dish.
Comparing A Raita Recipe With Western Cuisines
In terms of being a healthy diet, Raita recipe is prepared without using any kind of fat or excessive sugar. The yoghurt-based dish has high protein which is very good for health.
While sharing the specifications about Raita, many people provide an example of dips. Although it may not be exactly like a dip but it is enough to explain the type of dish. Raitas have also become very popular in other parts of the world with Indian food culture being shared around with people. The different taste and palate that is provided by a bowl of Raita has been extremely praised by several top chefs.
