Cucumber Yogurt Salad

(click to enlarge)	Cucumber & Yogurt Salad India - Kheera Rayta
	Serves: Effort: Time: Preprep:	4 side * 1/4 hr Yes		Raytas make wonderful side dishes to moderate spicy Indian dishes, and this is the most cooling of the bunch. Very similar salads are used in Anatolia, Caucasus and the Stans (Turkish / Armenian version). I've also made up big batches to take to parties and it's always been well received.

1-1/2
2
3
1
2
tt

#
c

T

Cucumbers (1)
Yogurt (2)
Scallions
Chili Serrano
Cilantro
Pepper, black

If small unwaxed CUCUMBERS, cut in quarters lengthwise and sliced medium crosswise. If standard waxed green blimps, peel, cut in half lengthwise and scrape out the seed mass. Cut halves lengthwise into thirds and slice medium. Alternatively, the cucumber can be grated. For the seed mass, I just add a little salad dressing and eat it as a snack.
Slice the SCALLIONS very thin, including a couple inches of the green part. Chop CHILI very small. Chop CILANTRO small, grind PEPPER.
Mix all ingredients with Yogurt and chill thoroughly.

NOTES:

Cucumbers: If possible use narrow unwaxed Persian or European cucumbers that don't need to be peeled or seeded. If all you can get are standard green blimps, you need to peel and seed them.
Yogurt: Use a light, tart natural yogurt, not a heavy, bland or "fat free" one.
U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch