Vata: Neutral
Pitta: Decreases
Kapha: Increases
Season: Summer
This cooling summer side dish is a great accompaniment to curries and warming main dishes. Serve with rice, beans and vegetables for a nutritious dinner. The yogurt has much needed probiotics for summer. If you make your own yogurt, it will be delicious. Soy, goat or coconut yogurt can be substituted. Also, carrots, beets, spinach or tomatoes can be substituted for cucumber for a wonderful color variation.
Salad Ingredients:
- 2 fresh medium cucumbers (more if using small ones)
- 2 T fresh dill or 1 t dried, chopped
- 3 T oil or ghee
- ½ t black mustard seeds
- ½ t cumin seeds
- 1 pinch hing
- Handful cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 pinch cayenne
- ½ cup plain yogurt
Directions:
- Peel and grate cucumbers. Set aside.
- Heat mustard seeds in oil until they pop
- Add cumin, hing, cilantro, cayenne
- Remove from heat
- Toss yogurt, cucumber, dill and spices
Serves: 4 (as a side dish)
Preparation time: 10 minutes (not including chill time)
For Individual Doshas:
Vata: Add a pinch of salt
Pitta: Add 4 curry leaves
Kapha: Only eat rarely on hot days in summer