Kale Yogurt Raita: A Seasonal Play on a Classic Indian Side

Traditionally, yogurt raita is served as a side to cool things down if there is a lot of spicy dishes.
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I don't know why I didn't think of this recipe sooner because I love spinach yogurt raita so much, which is a similar idea. Traditionally, yogurt raita is served as a side to go along with rice, bread, curry or lentils and helps to cool things down if there is a lot of spicy dishes. It's one of those recipes that you can really be creative with as far as the vegetables you mix into to it. The most popular is cucumber, but my favorites are radish, tomato and onion, carrot and now kale!

What's really great about this recipe is that kale is available seasonally almost all year round, which probably also explains why it's on most every Brooklyn menu these days. It's my favorite green hands down because even when sauteed, it's still quite substantial and I just feel so healthy after eating a bunch of it.

Raita is also prepared differently depending the region of India. In the South, where my mother is from, you can mix coconut into it and pour tempered spices of black mustard seeds, asafetida, red chili and curry leaves on top at the end. I made this radish raita video in that way.

In North India, where my dad is from, you mix in some roasted cumin powder and red chili powder. The roasted cumin powder is called bhuna jeera and every household has some in the cupboard to sprinkle on yogurt dishes.

The recipe is great to put on most anything or just snack on throughout the week if it lasts that long:) Also, part of this recipe can be done ahead by cooking the kale and then assembling the whole dish the next day. It's a great side to add onto any dinner if you are wanting one more dish on the table that will go with everything.

Kale Yogurt Raita

Ingredients
Leaves from 4 kale stems, chopped
3 cups plain yogurt, beaten
2 teaspoons oil
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon roasted cumin powder, bhuna jeera
1/4 teaspoon chili powder or to taste
Salt or black salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Lemon juice
Cilantro, chopped

Method
Heat oil in a small pan under medium high heat. When warm, add garlic. Sautee garlic for a few seconds until fragrant and throw in chopped kale. Cook kale for a few minutes, until wilty. Add salt and a good squeeze of lemon. Cool kale by putting in refrigerator or in the freezer if you need it faster.

When the kale is cooled, mix in the yogurt well. Then add in the cumin powder, chili powder, salt or black salt and black pepper if you are using and mix well. Mix in cilantro to your taste as well. Before serving, sprinkle a little more cumin powder and chili powder on the top with a garnish of cilantro.

This recipe originally appeared on The ABCD's of Cooking.

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