Garlic Methi Raita Recipe: A Refreshing and Nutritious Side Dish
Methi Raita with Garlic is an easy-to-make, healthy Indian side dish that can be served alongside your lunch or dinner. This dish is an excellent way to incorporate the nutritious fenugreek leaves (methi) into your diet. The bitterness of the methi is balanced beautifully by the cooling yogurt and the aromatic tempering of garlic. It can be paired with parathas, theplas, or any rice-based dish for a wholesome meal. The addition of garlic brings a depth of flavor that complements the freshness of the fenugreek leaves.
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Side Dish
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Methi Leaves (Fenugreek Leaves) | 1 cup, fresh and finely chopped |
| Curd (Dahi / Yogurt) | 1 cup, whisked |
| Oil | 1 teaspoon (for sautéing) |
| Garlic | 4 cloves, chopped (for sautéing) |
| Salt | To taste |
| Cumin Powder (Jeera) | 1/2 tablespoon |
| Chaat Masala Powder | 1/2 tablespoon |
| Black Salt (Kala Namak) | To taste |
| Water | As required (to adjust consistency) |
| For Tempering | |
| Oil | 1 tablespoon |
| Garlic | 2 cloves, chopped |
| Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder | 1/4 tablespoon |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: ~120 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4-6
Instructions
-
Prepare the Methi:
Start by heating 1 teaspoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds and allow them to sizzle. Add the chopped garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant, ensuring the raw smell of the garlic disappears. -
-
Cook the Methi:
Next, add the chopped methi (fenugreek leaves) to the pan. Sauté the methi on high heat for a couple of minutes until the leaves wilt and shrink down. Add salt to taste while cooking. Once the methi is cooked and softened, turn off the heat and set the mixture aside to cool down. -
Prepare the Raita Base:
In a mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt (curd) until smooth and creamy. Add the cumin powder, chaat masala powder, and black salt to the yogurt, and mix well to combine the spices. -
Combine Methi and Yogurt:
Once the methi mixture has cooled to room temperature, add it to the yogurt mixture. Stir everything together until the methi is evenly distributed throughout the raita. If the raita seems too thick, you can add a little water to achieve your desired consistency. -
Tempering for Extra Flavor:
In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of oil. Add 2 chopped garlic cloves and sauté until golden brown. Sprinkle in the Kashmiri red chili powder, and sauté for another 30 seconds to infuse the oil with the spices. Pour this tempering over the prepared methi raita. -
Serve:
Give the raita a final stir to incorporate the tempering, and your Garlic Methi Raita is ready to serve. This dish pairs wonderfully with Rajasthani Gatte Ki Sabzi and soft Phulkas for a satisfying, traditional meal.
Tips for Best Results
- Methi Bitterness: Methi leaves can sometimes be bitter, so cooking them on high heat helps reduce their bitterness. You can also blanch the methi leaves in boiling water for a minute before sautéing to mellow out the bitterness.
- Adjusting Consistency: If the raita becomes too thick, add cold water little by little to adjust its consistency according to your preference.
- Extra Flavor: If you like a bit more heat, you can increase the amount of Kashmiri red chili powder or add green chilies during the tempering step.
Variations
- Vegan Option: Use dairy-free yogurt made from coconut, soy, or almonds to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
- Add Herbs: If you enjoy an extra burst of freshness, consider adding finely chopped mint leaves along with the methi for a unique twist.
- Spicy Touch: For those who enjoy spicier food, add a finely chopped green chili along with the garlic while sautéing.
Garlic Methi Raita is not only delicious but also packed with the health benefits of methi (fenugreek), which is known for its digestive properties and high iron content. The yogurt in this raita provides probiotics that promote gut health. This dish is a great way to include more greens in your diet while enjoying a flavorful accompaniment to your meal.
