Raita - Cucumber Dip

I was at the grocery store with a friend recently and she said, "Oh yummy, let's buy some raita!" I said, "WHAT?! Raita is sooo easy to make - I'll show you how!"  So we bought all the ingredients but never got around to making it, even though it only takes 5 minutes. (We ended up drinking wine instead.)

Raita is a delicious, cooling and refreshing yogurt-based side dish. It is traditionally served as a much-welcome accompaniment to hot curries, but it can also be served with raw vegetables or bread as a dip.

Grated cucumber

1/2 medium cucumber
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
12 fresh mint leaves

serves 2-4, prep 5 min
Grate cucumber, squeeze cucumber to get rid of any excess water.  (If you don't squeeze water from the cucumber the raita will be runny.)  Chop fresh mint. In a bowl combine grated cucumber, mint, yogurt, paprika and salt; stir. Pour into serving dish and dust with paprika before serving.