Raita is a curd based preparation, in which many different vegetables could be added.Raita has a cooling effect on the body so it is mostly served as a side dish or salad with meals in summer.
There are many variations of raita,viz. boondi raita,dhoodhi raita,cucumber raita,onion raita etc
Following is a recipe of Doodhi raita, also called as mattho, which is really tasty and healthy
Mattho(Dhoodhi raita)
Dhoodhi raita is a very healthy and delicious condiment made from boiled bottle gourd and curd/ yogurt
Ingredients
- Curd 1 cup
- Grated Bottlegourd (dhoodhi or kadhoo) ½ cup
- Salt as per taste
- Black pepper powder, red chilly powder, jeera powder..a pinch of each
- Green chilly 1
- Ginger just a bit
- Water to adjust consistency
Method
- Peel and grate dhoodhi, rinse and boil it for 3-4 minutes
- let it cool properly
- Blend the curd properly either with handheld blender or mathni, add salt, chopped green chilly, ginger and mix properly
- Squeeze the boiled dhoodhi and add it into curd (Reserve the liquid after squeezing out dhoodi, you can use it to add in dal, curries or for kneading dough)
- Keep it for 1-2 hrs so that the flavours blend with each other
- While serving, sprinkle dash of pepper powders, chopped coriander leaves and enjoy it with your meals to keep yourself cool in summer
