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Yogurt is almost a must (ironic, as yogurt is ‘mást‘ in Farsi, pronounced like ‘must’) at a Persian/Iranian meal/dinner table. There are many varieties of yogurt dishes in Persian cuisine.
I have already introduced two of them, borani’e esfenaj (yogurt with spinach) and mást’o musir (yogurt and Persian shallots). This time, I have made mast’o khiyar (yogurt with cucumber), an elaborate version, where yogurt is mixed with chopped cucumber, mint, dill, chopped nuts and raisins. The simpler day-to-day version is just yogurt, cucumbers, with or without diced onion and fresh or dried mint for fresh taste.
There are similar dishes with little variations in other cuisines, i.e. Indian raita, Greek tzatziki, Iraqi jajeek. And, water is added to make a cold soup, i.e. Turkish cacık, Bulgarian and Serbian tarator.
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Mast'o Khiyar • ماست و خیار • Yogurt with Cucumber
Recipe by: Fae’s Twist & Tango (fae-magazine.com)
INGREDIENTS
• 2½ cups unflavored, whole milk plain yogurt, better partially drained (low-fat may be used)
• 200 g/ 2 Persian cucumbers, peeled and diced small
• 10 g/ 2 Tbsp/ 2 stems sliced scallions -or- onion diced small
• 1 or 2 small cloves garlic, pressed/mashed (I ended up using 2)
• 1 Tbsp chopped, fresh mint (¼ tsp dried mint flakes may be used)
• 1 Tbsp chopped, fresh dill weed (optional)
• 40 g/ ¼ cup raisins
• 50 g/ ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
• ¼ tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper to taste
• optional garnish: for aroma and color, a few pieces dried rose buds/petals -or- fresh, edible organic rose pedals (I used ground rose pedals I had, which were meant for spice mix, unfortunately not red.)
If planning to garnish: Save strips of cucumber peels, a sprig or two of mint, dill weed, some pieces of raisins, walnuts, in addition to dried/fresh rose buds/petals.
DIRECTIONS
◊ In a serving bowl, combine all ingredients. Garnish decoratively. Refrigerate to chill and serve as a side dish or with nan as appetizer.
~ Noushe jan • نوش جان ~
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So, what’s cooking in your kitchen?
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Lovely Curd recipe! Even Indian cuisine offers something similar called ‘Cucumber Raita”. It may have happened due to the persian influence in Indian cuisine during the business transactions in the earlier days.
Hi Saritha, I am very well aware of the varieties of delicious Indian raitas, and I love them all. Persian cuisine sure has many, many varieties of yogurt dishes and this one is one of the simplest ones of all. 🙂
I’ve been preparing a couple of Indian dishes of late, Fae, and have made a simple raita to accompany them. I like the idea of your recipe. It’s more interesting, having more flavor and a greater variety of textures. I’ll be giving it a try — and soon. Thanks for sharing!
Hi John, Raitas are great, and you are right, a great variety of textures and flavors makes this yogurt mix quite special. Enjoy! 🙂
Let warmer weather come and I will make this for sure! What a good idea having raisins and walnuts with cucumber and yoghurt!
Hi Margherita, It really adds that umph to it with the crunch factor and burst of sweetness. 🙂
So fresh looking and aromatic with all those favours. We have a similar thing in France with ‘concombres a la creme’ with lots of garlic and chives which we have as a salad. I think yours is at the next level though!
Hi Amanda, The French ‘concombres a la creme’ sounds so good! Yogurt is always refreshing and so healthy for the digesting. 🙂
sounds like an improved raita!
Yes! 😀 ))) Good to see you. Thanks for all the ‘Likes’. 🙂
I have always enjoyed yogurt dishes like this, especially when they are paired with meat .
Hi Gerlinde, Yes, yogurt goes well with many dishes. 🙂
I love the yogurt-cucumber combination with the other ingredients you have added int–sounds delicious!
Hi Nancy, It is really good, and quite satisfying, even as a light meal. 🙂
This sounds very nice Fae…I’m pinning it. Friends have asked me to cook my Moroccan lamb shanks and I think this along with nan would be nice to have on the table as well. While from different countries, I think the flavors would compliment each other.
Absolutely, Karen! Yogurt goes with meats/dishes full of flavor. The touch of raisins and cucumber, walnut crunch and herbs’ refreshing factors compliment perfectly! 🙂
Just wanted to stop back by to let you know I prepared this for my dinner party and it was delicious! Everyone loved it.
Thank you very much for letting me know. I am so glad your guests loved it! 🙂
Just give me a spoon I would eat this on it’s own. You made this simply elegant Fae,
Thank you, Suzanne. You have a great attitude, hear is a spoon for you and let’s dig in! 😀 (BTW, I love your new Gavatar. 🙂 )
Wonderful!!! I’d eat this with everything 🙂
Yes, and yes! 🙂
This yogurt dish would be a favorite out of the two other recipes you have posted. Love all of the ingredients in this one. Your presentation is very pretty too 🙂
I understand completely! One of those dishes that come as healthy as you can find. It as bursts of flavor and crunch too. 🙂