MINT RAITA RECIPE

Imagine there is a twig of fresh mint leaves in the center as garnish ;)

If you are from India, or if you love Indian food, then you would, by default, know about the one dish everyone loves, Biryani. I don't think any Indian could and would live without eating biryani, vegetarian or non-vegetarian doesn't matter. There are many varieties, lamb biryani, chicken biryani, egg biryani, and for those who want the flavor but not the meat go for mushroom or an all vegetable biryani. But no matter which kind, there is always a bowl of Raita beside a biryani. The taste of eating those masala soaked rice with that flavored yogurt is ineffable, true story of over a billion people! 

Raita is usually made of yogurt mixed with chopped onions and a bit of salt. Nowadays people add cut cucumbers to the mix as well(i personally don't like them). But this one's a little different. This raita can be used in place of yogurt dressing, as ranch, etc. Next time you have salad or taco bar, make sure you whipped up some raita instead of that sour cream, or ditch the taco bar altogether and make it a biryani feast!
Mint Raita (Serves 5)
Ingredients

Whole milk plain yogurt - 2 1/2 cups
Fresh mint leaves - 1/2 cup loosely packed 
Green chillies - 5 - chopped
Black pepper powder - 1/4 teaspoon
Salt - to taste

Take the yogurt in a wide mouthed bowl, and start whipping it lightly until the lumps are gone, and the yogurt is smooth and creamy. Add a bit of water if the consistency is too thick.

Blend the mint leaves, chopped green chillies and about 2 tablespoons of the above prepared yogurt into a smooth paste. Add the paste to the yogurt and mix well.

Add the black pepper powder and salt, and mix well.
Mint raita is now ready to serve with that steaming biryani. Super simple right? The flavor of fresh mint leaves with a hint of green chili is so good, you gotta try it. We had friends over for lunch this weekend, and they all loved this raita as well.

Now the big question, would you prepare this raita the next time you are making biryani?

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Thanks for reading, happy weekend!