popadum dip

[silverdaler]

my local indian restaurant makes a fabulous yoghurt mint dip. its quite thick and creamy and a little bit sweet.
i would love to make it at home. anyone got a recipe for it please ??
thankyou

[Kim A]

Drip some greek yoghurt through a cloth overnight to remove the whey. Mix together with finely chopped, de-seeded cucumber and some shredded fresh mint leaves (or dried if you can't get fresh). season with a little salt and pepper. Add a little sugar if you like, but the Greek yoghurt is creamy enough not to really need it.

[silverdaler]

mm thanks kim, sounds a bit more complicated than i imagined. the one i like is slightly yellow, what would give it that colour ?

[Kim A]

Not necessarily, but you could add a little (and I mean a little, as it's vvvvvvv strong) saffron, or turmeric if you want it yellow. I'd use saffron myself, as it has a slighly perfumy taste. Just put a few stamens into a cup, pour on a little boiling water and leave it to sit for a while, then add the liquid until it a) tastes nice and b) is the colour you like. You don't have to 'drip the yoghurt if you don't want to, it just makes it really creamy and more yummy - you can just stir in any onld yog if you're feeling lazy!

[silverdaler]

thanks kim - looks like you are the only one who knows how to make it !
cheers

[Kim A]

Welcome, Silverdaler! Hope you enjoy it.

[nickmo]

Simple alternative - plain yoghurt, curry powder, mint. Mix and serve. Touch of sugar if you think it needs it.

Most of the restaurants will choose the quickest route to get dips ready. You can thin the mix a little as well, or add some tumeric - sparingly - as this will also flavour the dip. Too much will make it too bright and also not a pleasant flavour. Also add a little mustard powder if you like.

Try with greek yog. as above, or strained as above, or with creme fraiche.

Another way is pour some yog. into a coffee filter paper and leave to stand overnight in the fridge. When ready, add a little salt and mint plus curry powder.

Also try a dip made up with zahter herb mix for a nice alternative - ground thyme base with cumin, coriander, fennel, sesame seed and sumac. Available ready blended from most asian stores. makes a nice seasoning for lamb or add to thin yog. for a labneh drink. Serve with veg. fingers and warm flat bread for a Syrian special night...

[Kim A]

Have to say I've never yet met an Indian cook who flavours their cucumber dip with curry powder, Nick! I got taught to make mine by an elderly Sikh lady at the Gurdwara I used to visit, so I've always assumed it was fairly authentic. I do like the zahtar mix, though. I get it from Seasoned Pioneers as the Asian community is a bit thin on the ground round these parts! Silverdaler, try all the suggestions and see which one you like best - if all else fails, ask your Indian Restaurant chums for their recipe!

[nickmo]

Hi Kim - no cucumber in the curry dip, hen.

Different thingy - cucumber, mint and yog. for that one.

I use the curry powder as a short cut and to add a flavour. I reckon it tastes ok. and as all little old Indian ladies will tell you their recipe is the authentic one - lets find the original little old lady!.....(mines a bloke called Rashid by the way.....makes the worlds best Bangladeshi cuisine - can't just call it curry...all family recipes, and deserves a knighthood for services to my belly...)

[Kim A]

Sorry, sweetie! Getting a bit gung-ho here. Rewriting (in plain English) the UK Food Safety/Food Hygiene and General Food Law regs, so not reading postings correctly. Didn't mean to sound snotty! Am losing the will to live, so excuse seeing you'd not even put cucumber in your non-cucumber yoghurt dip. I'd love to find the original old lady - but your Rashid would do - does he travel? He can cook my tea any day he likes!

[silverdaler]

thank s guys !
thers more to that little pot of yoghurt than meets the eye.
any other suggestions very welcome. when i find the perfect one i shall put it on AB !

[nickmo]

KimA - don't bother with the re-write - they will be out of date by the time you finish.........and who will read them??? Put some nice pics in them, or a few jokes and quotes, like from Mr Bourdain - he's always good for a giggle.....

If you are in Edinburgh, get a meal from East India carry-out. Order on 0131 558 8488 and you will not be disappointed.......

Doesn't do om ali though - must get him in order.......worlds nicest pudding. Ok its Egyptian/Arabic, but thats getting all picky with geography and culture now..

Sorry to nick the thread SD...!

[pickalily]

Even quicker. Buy a tub of natural yoghurt(I usually get the normal but if you like it thick get the set) and mix with one or two teaspoons of ready mix mint sauce. I think it tastes great and very like what i get from indian.