Onion Raita

Onion Raita tastes very good with Biryani (rich rice-meat dishes).

Ingredients:

• 2 cups thick yogurt (must not be sour) whisked till smooth
• 1 medium onion chopped finely
• 1 tbsp fresh mint leaves chopped finely
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves chopped finely
• 1 green chili finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp Raita Masala (available in Indian Stores)

Method:

• Put yogurt, mint, coriander, onions, green chili, salt and chat masala in a bowl and mix well to blend.
• Garnish with raita masala.
• Chill and serve with Pulao or Biryani or Paratha and Curry .

Do You Know?

Onions are widely-used in India, and are fundamental to Indian cooking. They are commonly used as a base for curries, or made into a paste and eaten as a main course or as a side dish.

Wide-ranging claims have been made for the effectiveness of onions against conditions ranging from the common cold to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases.

They contain chemical compounds believed to have anti-inflammatory, anticholesterol, anticancer, and antioxidant properties such as quercetin (The American Cancer Society says that ‘quercetin’has been promoted as being effective against a wide variety of diseases, including cancer.

In India some sects don't eat onion due to its Aphrodisiac properties. An aphrodisiac is a substance which is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality.