Yogurtwithcucumberandmintkheerekaraita Food

PERSIAN CUCUMBER YOGURT (MAAST-O KHIAR)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, and shallot. Season with dill, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to blend flavors.

YOGURT CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• With a small spoon remove the seeds and cut the cucumber into "half moon" pieces. Make a dressing of yogurt, lemon and dill; season to taste with salt and pepper and toss with cucumber "half moons".

GREEK YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE - GERMAN TSATSIKI

Steps:

• If you do not have Greek yogurt (very thick yogurt), line a colander with paper towels and place plain yogurt into it. Cover with more paper towels to drain excess liquid for 15 minutes or longer.
• Shred half a cucumber, place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste and let sit for 15 minutes. Press excess liquid out.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt or yogurt cheese, shredded and pressed cucumber, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer it sits, the more the garlic melds with the other ingredients. If the sauce looks runny, stir the liquid back in.
• The German presentation is to garnish with sprigs of fresh dill or chopped fresh dill or drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil over the dish.

CUCUMBERS IN YOGURT

Steps:

• If using a regular supermarket brand of yogurt (not Greek), drain in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl 1 hour. Discard liquid.
• While yogurt drains, cut cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer to another sieve set over a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, then drain 1 hour. Rinse cucumber and pat dry.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt using a large heavy knife. Stir together yogurt, cucumbers, garlic paste, and salt to taste in a bowl.

YOGURT WITH CUCUMBER AND MINT

Steps:

• In a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast cumin seeds until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool completely, then grind in a spice grinder.
• Whisk yogurt until smooth. Stir in cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and remaining ingredients; season with black pepper. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator until ready to serve, or up to 2 days.

MAST-O KHIAR (PERSIAN CUCUMBER AND HERB YOGURT)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, submerge the raisins in boiling water to plump for 10 minutes, then drain well.
• Remove alternating stripes of peel on cucumbers and trim ends. Dice cucumbers into 1/4-inch pieces and place in a large bowl with raisins, yogurt, fresh herbs, garlic, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and, if using, half the rose petals. Using your fingers to break up any large pieces, gently grind the dried mint and dried dill into the bowl. Stir to combine and adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
• Just before serving, stir in the walnuts and transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with remaining rose petals, if using. Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days.

YOGURT WITH CUCUMBER AND MINT (KHEERE KA RAITA)

Steps:

• Put the yogurt in a bowl.
• Beat lightly with a fork or whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Add all the other ingredients and mix.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to eat.

CUCUMBER-MINT YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, mint, cucumber, and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.