Recipe: Lauki Raita

Not only is lauki a highly refreshing vegetable to beat the heat with, it is also a great remedy for stomach problems. Indulge in this delicious raita, perfect with spicy pulaos...addiction guaranteed!

Ingredients:

Medium-sized lauki (bottle gourd) 1

Yogurt 2 cups

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Mint leaves and

Coriander leaves (optional)

White cumin seeds (zeera) ½ tsp

Method

•  Take off the outer layer of the lauki and shred it into thin slices.

•  Place the lauki in a pan and add enough water to cover the vegetable completely.

•  Boil the lauki until it is thoroughly cooked and drain any extra water that may remain.

•  Let the lauki cool down.

•  In another bowl, beat the yogurt thoroughly. Add some milk to ensure that the consistency of the yogurt isn’t too thick.

•  Mix the lauki with the yogurt.

•  Add salt and pepper as desired.

•  Add the cumin seeds and the mint and coriander leaves if desired.

•  Rub some cumin seeds between the palms of your hands and sprinkle on top of the raita to add a pleasant aroma.

Madiha Hamid is a digital media professional. She runs a food blog for Pakistani and regional cuisines called cheflingtales.com.
Follow her on Twitter @cheflingtales

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, July 14^th, 2013.

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