Kumaoni Raita

कुमाऊँनी रायता

Traditional side from the Kumaon region, Uttarakhand

Also spelled: kumaoni raita, haldi raita

A sharp, sunny-yellow raita that is unmistakably Kumaoni. Grated cucumber or radish goes into whisked curd with turmeric and a paste of roasted mustard seeds, which gives it a nose-tingling kick quite unlike the mild raita of the plains.

Ingredients

  • •Curd, whisked
  • •Cucumber or radish, grated
  • •Roasted mustard seeds (rai), ground
  • •Turmeric, salt, chilli

How it's made

  1. 1Whisk the curd smooth and stir in the grated cucumber.
  2. 2Grind roasted mustard seeds with a little water to a paste.
  3. 3Mix in the mustard paste, turmeric and salt.
  4. 4Rest a few minutes so the mustard blooms, then serve cold.
This recipe is a general reference written for readers who want to know the dish. Quantities are to taste and every household cooks it a little differently.