7 comforting winter raitas to add warmth to daily meals

India is a land of rich and diverse flavors, with every state boasting its own culinary delights. And one dish that is celebrated in all parts of the country is- Raita. It is a curd-based side dish which is flavoured with mild spices and one key ingredient in season. While the most popular one is boondi raita, when it comes to winter, people use all ranges of leafy greens to spruce up the raita game. Here are a few comforting winter raitas that add warmth to daily meals.

This raita can be made with raw carrot or sauteed too. For the latter version, lightly sauté the grated carrots in ghee along with green chilli, and then mix it with curd along with cumin, black salt, pepper, and chilli powder. It goes well with parathas.

To make this raita, boil beetroot and puree it along with roasted garlic and green chilli, add the puree to sweetened curd, along with salt, pepper, and cumin powder. It is rich in antioxidants and perfect for winter immunity and goes well with thepla and all types of stuffed parathas.

To make this raita, blanch baby spinach and then blend into smooth puree, combine it with sweetened curd and mild spices like cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and chilli powder.

It is a winter must-have, where the blanched bathua leaves are pureed and added to sweetened curd along with spices and served as a side dish with paratha and even dal-chawal. It is rich in iron and fibre.

To make this raita, take lightly cooked or grated radish and add it in curd along with salt, pepper, and cumin powder. It helps with digestion and reduces the heaviness of winter meals.

This raita is very gentle on the stomach, and to make it, simply sauté some dill leaves and spring onion leaves in ghee and then add them to sweetened curd along with roasted cumin, red chilli, black salt, and pepper. This raita balances rich winter curries and dals and goes well with rice. Dill supports digestion and reduces bloating, while ghee adds warmth. Served slightly chilled or at room temperature, it soothes the gut and refreshes the palate during heavy winter meals.

This raita is tangy and refreshing, and to make it, simply boil amla and then mash it in sweetened curd and top it with roasted cumin, salt, pepper, and chilli powder. It is an immunity boosting raita that adds a zing to everyday meals and goes well with dal chawal and paratha too.

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