Cucumber Khichadi | Vellarikka Thayir Pachadi | Cucumber Raita

Vellarikka Khichadi, a delicious curd based pachadi/accompaniment made from cucumber. Few months back, while browsing through pinterest, i had came across this recipe and thought this was so similar to the ash gourd kootu that we used to prepare often at home, instead of ash gourd here the cucumbers are used, since we are very fond of the ash gourd kootu, without a second thought, the very next day, i had prepared this khichadi along with sambar for lunch , it was so delicious and we liked it a lot. Now it's become the routine dish in my kitchen whenever i had the cucumbers in hand.

And also learnt that this khichadi is famous in kerala and also it's included in sadya menu at onam festival. If you like coconut & curd based side dish for your rice, then definitely give a try, i'm sure that you're amazed by its simplicity and tastes at the same time. Now let's check out how to make this yummy cucumber khichadi.

Vellarikka Thayir Pachadi | Cucumber Raita

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 15 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Raita | Recipe Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
Cucumber - 1 
Curd - 1/2 cup
Salt - to taste
To Grind
Coconut -2 tbsp
Green chili - 2
Garlic - 2 pods
Cumin seed - 1/2 tsp
To Temper
Coconut oil - 1 tsp
Mustard & urad dal - 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves - few
Red chili -1 

Procedure

First peel the cucumber, cut them into half vertically and remove the seeds from them, then chop them into small pieces.Beat the curd well without lumps and keep it ready. Heat a kadai with 1/2 cup of water and add the chopped cucumber and let it cook till it's soft.In the mean time, add all the ingredients listed under "To Grind" into mixie jar and grind them into smooth paste. Once the cucumber is well cooked, add the coconut paste and salt.Mix it well and cook till the raw smell leaves, switch off the flame and then add the curd and mix it well.Temper the ingredients listed under "To Temper" and add into the cucumber.Tada, Tasty Cucumber Khichadi is ready to serve.

Notes:

• Adjust the green chili as per your taste, the given quantity is for mild spice.
• Coconut oil gives great flavor to the curry, so highly recommend to use it.
  

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Cucumber Juice | Cucumber Lemon Juice | Summer Drinks

Cucumber lemon juice, a perfect thirst quencher on summer days. It's one of my recent favorite juices to have on hot summer days. 

Cucumber has more than 95% water hence it's perfect to include in your diet on summer days to keep you hydrated. Mostly we like to have them sliced or used in raita as a side dish. 

But when i browsed through pinterest a while ago, i came across this cucumber juice and really like the idea of making  juice with cucumber, so later whenever i have bulk cucumbers in hand, without second thought, i made this juice. 

Here in the juice, i have used salt to season it, but instead of salt, you can add sugar/honey too. It's really up to your preference whether you want salty or sweet juice.

Cucumber Juice | Cucumber Lemon Juice

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Cooking Time : 0 mins | Serves : 1 
Recipe Category: Juice | Recipe Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
Cucumber - 1 
Lemon - 1/2
Salt - 2 pinch
Pepper - to taste
Water - as needed

Procedure

First peel the cucumber and slice them roughly, put the cucumber slices into the blender.

Add enough water and grind them into smooth puree. Strain the cucumber puree.

Squeeze the lemon juice and add salt and pepper as per your taste. 

Stir well and it's ready to serve. Tasty and cool Cucumber Juice is ready.

Related:How to make pineapple raita

Notes:

• You can have this juice as it is without any straining too.
• If you like mint flavor, add few mint leaves while grinding the cucumber.
• Serve fresh for better taste.  
  

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Tzatziki Sauce | Greek Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Tzatziki,a greek yogurt sauce/dip made from cucumber and yogurt, flavored with garlic, dill leaves and olive oil. It's usually served with fresh vegetables,grilled meat or grilled vegetables.It's almost like our raita with quite different flavor. You can serve this at room temperature or cold. But it's always recommend to refrigerate this dip for few hours for the flavors to blend and it also helps to lessen the strong flavor of garlic.

Tzatziki | Greek Yogurt Cucumber Sauce

Preparation Time : 10 mins | Cooking Time : 0 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Sauce | Recipe Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients
Greek Yogurt - 1/2 cup
Cucumber - 1/2
Garlic cloves - 2 
Dill leaves - 1 tsp
Lemon Juice - 1/2 tsp
Olive oil - 1 tsp
Salt - to taste

Procedure

Peel the cucumber and grate it finely.Then put the grated cucumber in the strainer and let the water from the cucumber drain completely. In the mean time, minced the garlic finely and take the yogurt in a bowl.Add the minced garlic into the yogurt, squeeze the water from the cucumber completely and add into the yogurt.Add enough salt & squeeze the lemon juice and mix well together.At the time of serving, add the dill leaves and drizzle olive oil.That's it, Yummy Tzatziki Sauce is ready. Serve it as a dip along with fresh vegetables, grilled meat or grilled vegetables.

Notes:

• If you don't have greek yogurt, drain the water from ordinary yogurt in fine sieve/cheese cloth and use it.
• Make sure the water from cucumber is well drained.
• The original recipe suggest to mix the yogurt with salt & garlic and keep it refrigerator overnight before adding cucumber for better taste.
• Add dill leaves while serving to avoid the overwhelm of other flavor.
  

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Cucumber Raita | Vellarikka Thayir pachadi

Cucumber raita is the simple raita,that goes well with any type of pulao or veg biryani or as a condiment for chapathi with kuruma . As my DH is not fond of any type of raita, so usually i make my favorite onion raita for any types of pulao. But after tasting this cucumber raita in restaurants(they usually serve along with chapathi and kuruma), i have quite fond of  this raita and usually make this make while preparing chapathi. But i was hesitant to pair with rice,for a change, today i served this along with veg biryani and it really a super combo. So let's see the procedure now.  

Cucumber Raita

Preparation Time : 5 mins | Cooking Time : 5 mins | Serves : 2 
Recipe Category: Condiment | Recipe Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients
Cucumber - 1/2 of one large cucumber
Green Chili - 1
Curd - 1/2 cup
Salt - to taste
Cumin Powder - a generous pinch(optional)

Coriander leaves - for garnishing

Procedure

Peel the cucumber and cut into small pieces. Similarly chop the chilies.

Beat the curd unitl it's creamy with spoon, add the chopped cucumber,chilies and required salt.

If you wish, add generous pinch cumin powder for extra flavor.

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve it with your favorite biryani or pulao.

Notes:

• Instead of green chilies, you can add red chili powder as per your required spiciness.
• You can reduce the amount of cucumber and add chopped onions.
• Adjust the amount of curd as per your liking.

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Cucumber Pineapple Salad

This is the first salad i tried in my kitchen. I neither like nor dislike the salad. Whenever we went to buffet,I tried few salads in the restaurant. In one of the restaurant, i tried this salad & liked it very much . Cucumber & pineapple combo is amazing, it has all the flavor like sweet, sour & hot.

If you like cucumber & pineapple, try this salad for this summer, it's very refreshing and also tastes good. In this  salad, you can plus /minus the ingredients according to your taste. Actually it's not a recipe, just a idea about what are the ingredients you can add in this salad. 

Ingredients
Cucumber - 1 medium size(yields little more than 1/4 cup)
Pineapple - 1/4 cup(chopped)
Honey - 1 tbsp
Crushed pepper - 1 tsp
Lemon juice - 1 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp

Procedure
In a bowl , squeeze the lemon first, then add honey & mix it well.

Then add crushed pepper & salt and let it rest for 2 mins

In the mean time, chop the pineapple & cucumber into small pieces. Add one by one in lemon honey mixture. Toss it well & serve immediately

Very Refreshing & Tasty salad is ready.

Note:

• Keep everything ready & mix just before serve. 
• It releases lot of water , if you keep it for longer time after mixing.
• You can add roasted peanut for crunchiness.

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