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Herbed Yogurt Dip

Delectable Dip !

“Dahi” is a blessing for our well-being in the scorching summer heat. It has amazing properties that are beneficial for our health . Dahi contains probiotics, vitamins and calcium. Its recommended for weight loss, controls blood pressure and is a natural cleanser for our system. At home, when we make dahi , using toned milk, it is never as dense and creamy as the one with full fat milk. It always surprises and delights me how Verka Dahi is so thick and firm, even though its also made from double toned milk ! Today, I bring to you a lovely dip made with Verka dahi. It’s delicious with sticks of cucumber and carrots, sliced bell peppers, fried potato wedges and of course, a pack of potato wafer. It is a healthy snack while working, or watching TV. You can play around with the ingredients, add one, omit another till it pleases your palate ! That’s what cooking is all about !

 

Herbed Yogurt Dip

  • 1½ large tubs Verka Dahi (600 gm)
  • 4-5 tbsp thick cream
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • ¼ cup chopped dill (suey stalks) or mint
  • ¼ tsp mustard powder
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 lemons
  • ½ tsp chili sauce
  • ¼ tsp powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh pomegranate seeds (anaar)

 

Method

  • Tip out the dahi onto a large square of muslin (mulmul), then gather the folds, tie up and hang on a hook.
  • Allow the whey (liquid) to drip away till you are left with firm curds, almost half the original volume This could take 1-2 hours.
  • Crush the garlic into a paste and chop the dill (or mint leaves).
  • Grate some zest off one of the lemons, squeeze out the lemon juice.
  • Use a deep bowl and tip in the dahi solids. Beat well with a balloon whisk till it is smooth and creamy.
  • Add garlic to taste,then salt, pepper, mustard powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and chili sauce.
  • Beat well to incorporate, then fold in the cream.
  • Check the balance of the seasoning. Add more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or chili sauce if needed.
  • Transfer the dip into a pretty bowl and scatter the ruby red pomegranate seeds over it.
  • Serve chilled with a platter of crispy fresh veggies.(also called crudites)

 

Note:

  • If you like garlic but don’t wish to have it raw, fry the paste in half a spoonful of oil, then cool and add to the dahi.
  • Minced red bell pepper or parsley can replace dill or mint.
  • If you like a fiery dip, omit the chili sauce, take a whole dried chili, spear it on a fork and roast it over a gas flame. Cool, then crumble into the dip for extra zing !
  • Add cream only towards the end or else the brisk whipping may result in it’s splitting and turning buttery.
  • Coarsely crushed peppercorns would add another sharp dimension to the dip.