Cucumber Raitha /Vellarikkai Thayir Pachadi

Raitha is a yogurt based accompaniment made with different types of veggies and fruits.Also it can be accompanied with various main dishes and even served as a dip.

Cucumber raitha is a creamy one which goes very with biriyani,pulaos.It also pairs up very well with some of the spicy South Indian gravy such as kaara kulambhu.

Coming to the recipe,I have used the mini cucumbers.Since mini cucumbers are used I chopped it finely and used.If you are using a a large cucumber then grate it.The addition of coconut paste and the tempering makes gives an additional flavor and taste.

                                                             

                                                            

                                      Cucumber Raitha/Vellarikkai Thayir Pachadi

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   Basic Information

   Preparation time ~ 10 minutes
   Cooking time ~ 2 minutes

   Serves ~4(generously)

  Ingredients

Ingredient	Quantity
Cucumber/vellarikkai	1-1.25 cups(finely chopped)
Thick Yogurt/thayir	1-1.25 cups
Coconut/thegai(grated)	2 tbs
Green chilly/pachamilagai	1-2(depending on spice level)
Curry leaves /karivepillai	few leaves
Coriander leaves/kothamalli	as needed(finely chopped)
Salt	to taste
Oil	2 tsp

  For the Tempering

Ingredient	Quantity
Mustard seeds/kadugu	1/2 tsp
Asafoetida/perungayam	a pinch
Red chilly/varamilagai	1(broken)

   

   Method 

• Take the yogurt in a bowl and add the salt,whisk it well till it becomes creamy.Set it aside.
• Now in a blender jar take the green chilly and grated coconut.Grind it to a smooth paste along with a tbs of whisked yogurt.

• To the whisked yogurt add the finely chopped cucumber and ground paste.Mix it well.

• Now in a small pan heat the oil and crackle the mustard seeds,add in the asafoetida and red chilly.Toast the curry leaves and put off the flame.Add it to the yogurt mixture also add in some chopped coriander leaves and mix it well.

•  Serve it  as an accomapniment.

• Since my green chilly is not spicy,I used 2.
• Using a thick yogurt gives a nice and creamy raitha.
• If you feel the yogurt is sour,add some milk and mix it well.
• Couple of tbs of fresh cream can also be added for an extra rich taste.

Enjoy................

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