Shallot Raita Recipes

SWISS CHARD AND CRISP SHALLOT ROLLS WITH CILANTRO RAITA

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 1-quart saucepan over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking (365°F on deep-fat thermometer), then fry shallots in 3 batches, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer as fried with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, spreading evenly, then cool.
• Cook chard leaves in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer with tongs to a bowl of ice and cold water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry with paper towels.
• Halve each leaf lengthwise, discarding rib. Place 1 tablespoon shallots at 1 end of a chard strip and firmly roll up, forming a cigar shape. Make 15 more rolls in same manner.
• Mash garlic to a paste with sea salt using a mortar and pestle (or mince and mash with a large heavy knife). Purée cilantro with garlic paste and 1/4 cup yogurt in a blender, scraping down sides occasionally. Transfer to a bowl and stir in remaining 3/4 cup yogurt. Serve chard rolls with raita.

PAN-FRIED SALMON WITH SHALLOT MASH AND CUCUMBER RAITA

Steps:

• First finely chop the shallots and soak in white wine vinegar. Set aside.
• For, the raita, sprinkle the cucumber lightly with salt and set aside to drain in a colander for 20 minutes.
• Pat the cucumber dry and mix with the yoghurt and coriander. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Cook the potatoes in a saucepan of boiling salted water until tender; drain and mash with butter and milk. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drain the shallots and mix in with the mustard and parsley.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy-based frying pan. Season the salmon with salt and freshly ground pepper and score the skin, using a sharp knife.
• Add the salmon skin side-down and fry for 3-4 minutes or until the skin is crispy.
• Turn the salmon over and cook for a further 1-2 minutes on the other side.
• Serve the salmon on a bed of shallot mustard mash with the cucumber raita. Drizzle the remaining olive oil over the salmon just before serving.

SHALLOT RAITA

Steps:

• Put the yougurt into a serving bowl.
• Add water, more or less, depending on how thick you want the yogurt to be, and stir until smooth.
• Add the shallots and salt and blend.
• In a small frying pan put the oil and mustard seeds. Heat over high heat until the mustard seeds have popped for about 5 seconds.
• Quickly add the cayenne and then pour the mixture into the yogurt. Stir.
• Garnish with the cilantro.
• Set in the fridge for a time so that the flavors can marry. Good served with vegetable biriyani.