Pineapple Raita (Pineapple Dip)

Call Papa Johns and place an order for a 2 toppping cheese pizza with pineapple and jalapeno and they will know you are Indian, 'cos more often than not, we order this combination the most.

I L.O.V.E Pineapple, very very much. And I love that it is available in very easy to use forms now - canned and ready to go in their own juice. I throw some in on just about everything and sometimes just eat it as is. I have fond memories of mom bringing home a full one from the market and spending good effort in chopping it to more manageable pieces ready to be gobbled by waiting mouths. I am yet to try that myself here :)

This recipe is almost not one, and this dish can be prepared instantaneously. A great side to a meal - goes with rotis and rice and I love it with my staple yogurt rice.

Difficulty level : Easy

Time: 5 min 

Ingredients

• 1 can Dole pineapple tidbits in their own juice ( don't get the chunks, they don't absorb the flavor as much) 
• oil ( to season)
• salt ( a little bit)
• a pinch of hing (asafoetida)
• 2 tsp red chilly powder
• 2 tsp mustard seeds

Method de Preparation

1. Take oil in a small vessel, just enough for tadka or for seasoning, when hot add the mustard seeds and allow to splutter. Add a pinch of hing. Turn off heat.  After 4 min, add the red chilly powder to this.
2. Empty the pineapple tidbits with their juice into a container.  Pour the seasoned mix (oil, red chilly powder etc) on this and add salt ( a little bit).
3. Let sit for about 1/2 hr if possible for the flavor to sink in and enjoy!

This will go with chips and can be used as a substitute for salsa too :)

Source:  From a friend of Prema chithi

2 min Raita ( Yogurt dip)

You know how sometimes you look at a recipe and you think is this even a recipe, why did I not think of it before? Or it is so simple, will it really taste any good? Try this and you will know. This is one of those instant recipes that works very well with any parathas - like this Aloo Paratha or kulchas as a side especially if you have another spicy side dish too.

Difficulty Level: Very Easy

Time: 10 min (max)

Ingredients:

• Thick yogurt or Greek yogurt ( a cup)
• salt (to taste)
• a pinch of sugar
• 1 tsp cumin (jeera) powder
• 1 tsp garam masala powder

Method de Preparation:

1. Take the powders and a bit of sugar and salt. Mix them well with a spoon of yogurt.
2. When they are mixed well add the rest of the yogurt and mix well. Taste and adjust spices as needed. Alternate is you can blend fresh cumin and peppercorn in a blender and add that too to provide some zing.

Onion Raita (Onion Yogurt Dip)

I love any kind of Raita. A great way to include yogurt in your meal, a great side that goes with a lot of rice varieties, roti or tortillas and sometimes just on its own. Moving to this easy recipe that goes great with the Tomato Rice I just posted.

Time: 10 min 

Difficulty level: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 onion chopped finely (use yellow onions if you don't want a strong taste)
• 2-3 nos chopped green chilies or 1-2 jalapeno peppers
• 1 to 1.5 cup unflavored yogurt ( fat free or home made will do just fine)
• Chopped coriander leaves (to garnish)
• salt (to taste)

Method de Preparation:

1. Take a bowl, add all the ingredients together. Mix well, taste and eat :) It cannot get any easier than this really!

Cucumber Raita ( Cucumber Yogurt Dip)

May 15th 2010

With the summer quickly setting in, we are all looking for ways to chill, not just with what we do, but also with what we eat. Additionally it is great to balance out hard or laborious dishes with a few easy but tasty ones on the side so you can enjoy that sun while it lasts. Here is a recipe for a quick Raita that is a great accompaniment to any rice/pulav/biriyani or even parathas. 

Difficulty level : Easy 

Time:  10 min

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber (cut into tiny pieces)
• 2 cups thick yogurt
• 1 tsp or more jeera powder (cumin powder)
• salt to taste
• chopped cilantro (for garnish)

Method de Preparation

1. Peel and chop cucumber into small pieces.
2. Sprinkle a little bit of salt and set aside. The water in it will be excreted. You can either drain this out if your yogurt is not very thick or use it if your yogurt is really thick.
3. Beat the yogurt well with a spoon and then mix it with the cucumber.
4. Add the cumin powder and salt to taste.
5. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve.

Confessions:   I forgot the cilantro, and it still tasted good. It happens :D 

Chef's Tip: If you have the time or you are going to make a lot of this, dry roast jeera (cumin) on the tava and then powder it and use it for a fresh taste.