Strawberry and Pomegranate Raita

A delicious combination of yogurt, fresh strawberries and pomegranate pearls sprinkled with red chilli powder , freshly roasted and ground cumin and peppercorn , garnished with fresh cilantro , strawberries and  pomegranate pearls.

Preparation Time: 8 to 10 minutes

Chilling Time in Refrigerator- 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients and Quantity:

Thick Yogurt / low-fat curd-  1 ½ cup

Chilled Water- 3/4^th cup

Fresh Strawberries, chopped- ½  cup

Fresh Pomegranate Pearls- ½  cup

Sugar- ¾ th tsp. / as required

Salt- To Taste

Rock Salt- To taste

Red chilli powder- ½ tsp

Cumin, roasted and ground- ¾ ^th tsp.

Black Peppercorn , roasted and ground – ¼ ^th tsp.

For the Garnish:

Strawberries, cut into halves- 04 nos.

Pomegranate Pearls, chilled- ½ tbsp.

Cilantro, chopped- a few sprigs

Method:

Whisk yogurt / Low-fat curds in a glass bowl, add chilled water to it and whisk thoroughly.

Add sugar and mix well.

Add salt, rock Salt, Red chilli powder and cumin powder. Mix.

Add pomegranate pearls, mix very lightly.

Refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill.

Serve chilled garnished with chopped fresh cilantro and pomegranate pearls.

Chef Tips:

1. If you are using curds that has turned sour, add skimmed milk to balance the sourness.
2. You may use fresh mint leaves or dried and powdered mint leaves for the garnish.
3. You may add raisins in the raita.
4. You may add fresh pomegranate juice instead to chilled water to further enhance the flavor but remember the color to raita will change to pink.
5. If you add pomegranate juice , skip adding the sugar.
6. If you are health conscious, then add stevia instead of sugar.