Healthy and Delicious Yogurt Dips (Raitas)

In my last post I had mentioned about the benefits of curd.Curd is a part of Indian food culture and no meal is complete without a cup of curd.Today,I'll share some easy and quick to make raitas with curd.Please keep in mind that you need to use fresh curd in all the recipes.Raitas are usually used as dips or sauce and are often seasoned with fresh herbs.
Vegetable Raita
Ingredients:
Finely chopped onion-3 teaspoons
Grated cucumber-3 teaspoons
Finely chopped tomatoes-1
Fresh Curd-1 cup
Chopped green chillies-1(optional)
Chopped coriander leaves-1 teaspoon
Salt-to taste
Roasted peanuts-7-8
Roasted cumin powder-1/2 teaspoon
Method :
Whisk the curd properly and add salt and all the above ingredients except roasted peanuts and cumin powder.Mix well.Crush the roasted peanuts and add it to the raita.Sprinkle roasted cumin powder on top.Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Potato(Alu) Raita
Ingredients:
Fresh curd-1cup
Boiled potato-1(medium)
Chopped green chillies-1
Red chilli powder-1/2 teaspoon(optional)
Roasted cumin powder-1/2 teaspoon
For tempering:
Oil- 1 teaspoon
Sesame seeds-1 teaspoon
Curry leaves-2-3
Method:
Whisk the curd and add salt.Mash the potatoes and add it to the curd along with chopped green chillies and coriander leaves.In a pan heat 1 teaspoon of oil and add curry leaves and sesame seeds and let it splutter.Turn the flame off and add the curd to the pan.Mix well and garnish with red chilli powder and roasted cumin powder on top.

Boondi Raita
Ingredients:
Boondi-1/4 cups
Fresh curd-1 cup
Finely chopped onions -3 teaspoons
Chopped green chillies-1(optional)
Chopped coriander leaves-1 teaspoon
Salt-to taste
Method :
Beat the curd properly and add salt and all the above ingredients except boondi.Mix well and finally add the boondi and mix again.

Spinach Raita 
Ingredients:
Spinach-1 bunch
Fresh curd-1 cup
Salt-to taste
For Tempering:
Oil-1.5 teaspoon
Sesame seeds-1/2 teaspoon
Red Chilli-1-2
Method:
Clean the spinach leaves properly and chop them finely.In a pan add 1.5 teaspoon of oil and add red chillies and sesame seeds.Add the chopped spinach leaves and cook for 3-4 minutes.Add a pinch of salt.Let it cool.

Beat the curd properly and mix the cooked spinach.Spinach raita is ready to serve.