Cucumber Raita

We love the yogurt-based dishes, a cross between sauces and salads, that are called raita in Hindi and Urdu. They’re found in the northwestern part of the Subcontinent, from Pakistan and the Punjab to Rajasthan. They make great dipping sauces for bread or condiments for grilled meat, and they add a cooling balance to a hot or intensely spiced meal.

Draining the yogurt briefly, then whisking in a little water, eliminates much of its tart acidity, leaving it almost sweet tastin