About Pineapple Raita
I first tried the magic that is Pineapple Raita when I was doing my postgrad in Mumbai. A friend took me to this restaurant and suggested I try it. At the time, I was not very keen on the idea. I thought, “Is this girl nuts? Pineapple in yogurt?!? My friends, it was I who was wrong. This stuff was delicious! This recipe is an homage to that first, mouthwateringly delicious bite; I think I’ve come quite close to the original! Creamy, tangy yogurt pairs beautifully with the sweet-sour duo of pineapple and pomegranate. Pomegranate arils add crunch and color in addition to flavor, while pineapple lends juicy pops of acidity. Fresh coriander adds bright, herbaceous notes; chilli and cumin powder add warmth. Honestly, I could eat this pineapple raita like a salad or breakfast parfait. You can whip up this amazing side dish in just 15 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight option. Serve with any number of parathas for a light and simple meal, or pair with your favorite Dals, Curries, or Rice Dishes. No matter the occasion, this bright and fruity pineapple raita deserves a spot on your table this summer.
Ingredient Notes
Curd – I love to make my own yogurt; it’s quite easy to do, saves on grocery bills, and really does taste better than store-bought. I recognize not everyone else may share my enthusiasm, so any packaged thick curd, Greek yogurt, or labna will also be delicious. 🙂Pineapple – Fresh, in-season pineapple is a marvel, so get it if you can. If not, frozen or canned pineapple (packed in juice, not syrup) are all fine substitutes.Pomegranate Arils – While these little ruby jewels are technically optional, I strongly suggest you give the combination a try. Each bite is a crunchy, juicy pop of acidity that is superlative.Red Chili Powder & Roasted Cumin Powder– The slightest touch of heat and warmth from these pantry staple spices plays a lovely foil to the cool tang of the curd.Sugar – All of the tangy flavors need a little sweet to balance them out. Feel free to sub in any sweetener you prefer (e.g. honey, or maple syrup) if needed. The amount you’ll need will depend on the sweetness of your fruit.Rock Salt – So long as you can source edible and food grade rock salt, I suggest you do; the tiny pops of crunchy minerality are a true delight. My second favorite option is black salt, which has its own nuanced je ne sais quois. If neither of those are available, sea salt or kosher salt will do just fine!Coriander Leaves – Also known as cilantro, these tender green herbs add a welcome freshness to the raita. If you don’t love cilantro, feel free to swap in mint or parsley instead.
Do yourself a favor and try this yummy yogurt sauce at home. In the height of summer, there’s no better way to refresh yourself than with this cool, salty, and sweet pineapple raita. I can almost guarantee you and your family will love it!
How to make Pineapple Raita
- Take 1 cup chilled curd in a mixing bowl.
- Whip or beat till smooth.
- Add ½ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne pepper or paprika) and 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder. Also add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (or add sugar according to your taste) and edible food grade rock salt or black salt or regular salt as required.
- Mix very well.
- Add ½ cup chopped pineapple cubes. At this step you can also add half of the pomegranate arils or reserve all of them for garnish later. Make sure that the pineapple is sweet and not very sour or tangy.
- Mix again. Check the taste and add more red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder, salt and sugar if required.
- Garnish pineapple raita with the pomegranate arils, a few chopped pineapple cubes and 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Serve pineapple raita immediately with any North Indian meal or main course. This raita tastes best when it is made, so I suggest to serve it straightway as soon you make it. Note that on refrigeration the taste and flavors will change and the raita can have bitter notes. Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Cucumber Raita Classic Indian Boondi Raita Recipe Burani Raita | Hyderabadi Burhani Raita Onion Raita | Tomato Raita | Onion Tomato Raita This Pineapple Raita post from the blog archives first published in February 2012 has been republished and updated on 23 April 2022.
title: “Pineapple Raita " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-08” author: “Helen Fenton”
About Pineapple Raita
I first tried the magic that is Pineapple Raita when I was doing my postgrad in Mumbai. A friend took me to this restaurant and suggested I try it. At the time, I was not very keen on the idea. I thought, “Is this girl nuts? Pineapple in yogurt?!? My friends, it was I who was wrong. This stuff was delicious! This recipe is an homage to that first, mouthwateringly delicious bite; I think I’ve come quite close to the original! Creamy, tangy yogurt pairs beautifully with the sweet-sour duo of pineapple and pomegranate. Pomegranate arils add crunch and color in addition to flavor, while pineapple lends juicy pops of acidity. Fresh coriander adds bright, herbaceous notes; chilli and cumin powder add warmth. Honestly, I could eat this pineapple raita like a salad or breakfast parfait. You can whip up this amazing side dish in just 15 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight option. Serve with any number of parathas for a light and simple meal, or pair with your favorite Dals, Curries, or Rice Dishes. No matter the occasion, this bright and fruity pineapple raita deserves a spot on your table this summer.
Ingredient Notes
Curd – I love to make my own yogurt; it’s quite easy to do, saves on grocery bills, and really does taste better than store-bought. I recognize not everyone else may share my enthusiasm, so any packaged thick curd, Greek yogurt, or labna will also be delicious. 🙂Pineapple – Fresh, in-season pineapple is a marvel, so get it if you can. If not, frozen or canned pineapple (packed in juice, not syrup) are all fine substitutes.Pomegranate Arils – While these little ruby jewels are technically optional, I strongly suggest you give the combination a try. Each bite is a crunchy, juicy pop of acidity that is superlative.Red Chili Powder & Roasted Cumin Powder– The slightest touch of heat and warmth from these pantry staple spices plays a lovely foil to the cool tang of the curd.Sugar – All of the tangy flavors need a little sweet to balance them out. Feel free to sub in any sweetener you prefer (e.g. honey, or maple syrup) if needed. The amount you’ll need will depend on the sweetness of your fruit.Rock Salt – So long as you can source edible and food grade rock salt, I suggest you do; the tiny pops of crunchy minerality are a true delight. My second favorite option is black salt, which has its own nuanced je ne sais quois. If neither of those are available, sea salt or kosher salt will do just fine!Coriander Leaves – Also known as cilantro, these tender green herbs add a welcome freshness to the raita. If you don’t love cilantro, feel free to swap in mint or parsley instead.
Do yourself a favor and try this yummy yogurt sauce at home. In the height of summer, there’s no better way to refresh yourself than with this cool, salty, and sweet pineapple raita. I can almost guarantee you and your family will love it!
How to make Pineapple Raita
- Take 1 cup chilled curd in a mixing bowl.
- Whip or beat till smooth.
- Add ½ teaspoon red chili powder (or cayenne pepper or paprika) and 1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder. Also add 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar (or add sugar according to your taste) and edible food grade rock salt or black salt or regular salt as required.
- Mix very well.
- Add ½ cup chopped pineapple cubes. At this step you can also add half of the pomegranate arils or reserve all of them for garnish later. Make sure that the pineapple is sweet and not very sour or tangy.
- Mix again. Check the taste and add more red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder, salt and sugar if required.
- Garnish pineapple raita with the pomegranate arils, a few chopped pineapple cubes and 1 to 2 tablespoons of chopped coriander leaves. Serve pineapple raita immediately with any North Indian meal or main course. This raita tastes best when it is made, so I suggest to serve it straightway as soon you make it. Note that on refrigeration the taste and flavors will change and the raita can have bitter notes. Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Cucumber Raita Classic Indian Boondi Raita Recipe Burani Raita | Hyderabadi Burhani Raita Onion Raita | Tomato Raita | Onion Tomato Raita This Pineapple Raita post from the blog archives first published in February 2012 has been republished and updated on 23 April 2022.
