Raita is an Indian condiment of savory yogurt comparable to a salad in Western cuisines. Both serve as a balancing, cooling element in the meal.
Raita is popular throughout India, served alongside flavorful rice dishes, curries, and flatbreads. According to NDTV (New Delhi Television), a simple raita can be seen in every household in India.
(Courtesy of Buttered Veg)
A raita is great for cooling down the pungent spices in Indian food, especially if your tastebuds are sensitive.
I particular enjoy raita with a spiced rice dish, such as a pulao, biryani, or pilaf. I think it is because the chewy texture of the rice balances nicely with raita’s silky feel. I’ll have some recipes for you on this coming soon, such as my Garden Tomato Rice with green chilis….