If you’ve been watching the news and the snow situation in Seattle, I kid you not, BELIEVE it! The last three days of school last week were cancelled because of snow so the kids are enjoying their extended winter break. But besides that, it’s really not very much fun being snowed in. It’s even less fun when we seem to get sore throats as well. So I made this raita today. At least my mom believes that it’s cooling for the body and soothing to the throat.

But be forewarned that it’s really an acquired taste. So is you don’t like the taste of plain yogurt, then you’ll probably join the dad and son duo who ate this side dish like medicine. But if you like a little sour laced with a bit of sweet, then you join daughter and mom duo who happily relished it.

 Ingredients:
1/2 cup plain yogurt - whisked until smooth
1/4 of a length of cucumber - diced
1 tomato - diced
1 sprig of cilantro/mint leaf - chopped
1/4 onion - chopped
2 slivers of ginger (as thin as a coin) - bruised
pinch of salt

Method:

1. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt until smooth.
2. Add all the other ingredients and stir well.
3. Serve as a side dish with rice or Indian breads.

Tips:

• If you are not preparing this dish for its cooling effects, then these are other ingredients whch can be added - 1 chopped red chili, 1/2 tsp cumin seeds.