Cucumber Raita

Its mid summer now and temperature is in the 3 digits. My parents always said cucumber and yoghurt help you cool down. Many times I wonder at the intellecturl of our ancestors. they knew about all this before 'science' could prove all this.

Here is one of the best recipe for summer

yoghurt - one or 2 cups (depending on how much you want to prepare)

1/4 to 1/2 times sour cream - -according to taste. i usually add half the times of yoghurt. (more the sour cream - the richer the raita)

grate cucumber

chop seeded tomatoes to fine pieces

chop onions (red only - not yellow onions)

salt (according to taste)

little bit of cayenne pepper (according to your taste) - don't add too much. it might end up being spicy and spoil the whole purpose of the raita.

chop cilantro into very fine pieces

some water (according to the consistency you desire). don't add too much since after you keep the raita for some time, you might get some water from the grated cucumbers.

last- roast whole cumin / jeera a little bit and then powder it (don't do it the other way around - ie, don't powder and then roast). i usually powder lots to begin with and add to raita as much as i need. i keep the rest of the powder in the fridge. stays well for long.

mix all very well!

you have an amazing raita!

Serve chilled.

This usually goes well with parathas, all kinds of mixed rice, even rotis.