Spinach Yogurt Salad (Palak Raita) Recipe
Description:
Palak Raita, also known as Spinach Yogurt Salad, is a refreshing and nutritious side dish that combines fresh spinach with tangy yogurt and a flavorful tempering of spices. This dish is rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, making it a healthy addition to your meal. Itโs easy to prepare and can be served alongside your main dishes like dal, sabzi, or chapati for a balanced meal.
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Side Dish
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Yogurt (Dahi) | 2 cups |
| Fresh Spinach (Palak) | 2 cups, finely chopped |
| Red Chili Powder (Lal Mirch) | 1/4 tsp |
| Cumin Powder (Jeera Powder) | 1/2 tsp (roasted) |
| Sugar (Shakkar) | 1/2 tsp, optional |
| Whole Black Pepper (Puri Kali Mirch) | 1/2 tsp, ground |
| Salt (Namak) | To taste |
| Oil (Tel) | 1/2 tsp |
| Mustard Seeds (Rai) | 1/4 tsp |
| Split Urad Dal (Safaed Urad Dal) | 1/2 tsp |
| Curry Leaves (Kadhi Patta) | 1 sprig |
Preparation Time: 135 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
-
Preparing the Spinach:
- Heat oil in a small pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter for about 10 seconds.
- Add the chopped spinach to the pan and cook it on medium-high heat until it softens. This should take a few minutes.
- Once the spinach is cooked, remove it from the heat and set it aside to cool.
-
Preparing the Yogurt Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, add the yogurt, cumin powder, red chili powder, ground black pepper, and salt.
- Whisk the mixture thoroughly until smooth. Once done, refrigerate it for about 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
-
Tempering (Tadka):
- In a small tempering pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds, split urad dal, and curry leaves.
- Let them sizzle and cook for about 15 seconds until the spices release their aroma.
-
Assembling the Palak Raita:
- After 2 hours, take the yogurt mixture out from the refrigerator.
- Add the cooled spinach to the yogurt mixture and stir well to combine.
- Pour the prepared tempering (tadka) over the yogurt-spinach mixture and give it a final stir.
-
Serving:
- Serve the Spinach Yogurt Salad chilled, as a refreshing side dish to complement a variety of Indian meals such as dal, sabzi, and chapati.
Enjoy this vibrant and healthy Palak Raita as a delicious and wholesome accompaniment to your meals!
This recipe for Palak Raita (Spinach Yogurt Salad) is an easy and delightful dish to prepare, perfect for a balanced meal. The combination of cool yogurt and tender spinach with a hint of spices makes it a refreshing and nourishing choice. You can serve it as a side with your favorite Indian meals for an added nutritional boost.
