Cucumber Yogurt Raita Salad

I surprised my family by making something new and different for dinner recently–butter chicken and this easy cucumber yogurt raita salad recipe. I have never tried cooking Indian cuisine before so I was excited to give it a try. Cucumber raita salad was a popular choice when looking for side dishes to pair with butter chicken, and this recipe I found on Smitten Kitchen looked perfect because I had all the ingredients on hand. I love that!!! I tossed the salad together with the yogurt dressing right before serving and we all thought it was refreshing, delicious, and that it paired well with the butter chicken.

Cucumber Yogurt Raita Salad

Yogurt Dressing:

• ½ tsp cumin seeds toasted
• ½ cup Greek yogurt full fat
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
• ½ tbsp fresh mint chopped
• 2 tsp jalapeno minced
• ½ inch knob of ginger peeled & finely grated
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• ⅛ tsp sugar
• Sea salt to taste

Salad:

• 1 English cucumber washed well
• ½ cup grape tomatoes diced
• 2 tbsp red onion finely diced
• Remaining cilantro & mint

How to Make a Cucumber Yogurt Raita Salad

Toast the cumin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, until fragrant & golden, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.

Make the dressing by combining the yogurt, lemon juice, 1/2 tablespoon of cilantro, 1/2 tablespoon of mint, green chile, grated ginger, grated garlic, toasted cumin seeds, sugar, and sea salt, to taste together in a bowl; whisk until well combined. Set aside to allow flavors to mingle.

Make the salad by cutting the cucumbers in half lengthwise, then each half three more times into long wedges. Cut into 1-inch pieces then place them in a large serving bowl. Add the tomatoes, red onion, remaining cilantro, and remaining mint. Add the tomatoes, red onion, remaining cilantro, and remaining mint.

When ready to serve, drizzle the yogurt dressing on top and toss to mix evenly. Serve immediately. Enjoy.