A CSN $50 gift certificate giveaway and Raitas..my way

I am pretty much sure that you have already heard the name of CSN Stores. They have over 200 online stores where you can find everything from cookware to cribs to dining room sets and dog beds!  

CSN Stores has offered to giveaway $50 gift certificate to one of my lucky readers! Is not that great? And guess what you have to do?

1. Become my follower.

2. Say my blog is wonderful.

3. My recipes are the best.

Thats unethical. I know.. I know...

Well, all you have to do is to leave a comment on this post and tell me your favourite accompaniment with food and that finds a place on your dining table almost everyday. For eg. Chutney, Raita, Pickles.

So, friends, what are you waiting for? Share it with me and who knows you could be the lucky one! Time start from now till 8th August 2010 GMT. I will announce the winner on 9th August (thats my hubby b'day). I'll select one person randomly and he/she will be the lucky winner. You'll get the gift certificate code in email with instructions as to how to use it.

N.B: CSN stores ship only in U.S and Canada. Even if you don't live in either of the countries you can still participate in this giveaway and in case you win, you can use it to get something for someone who lives there.

Good luck guys!

Now, recipe of today's post: My favourite accompaniment with food-Raita.

Raita is an Indian condiment and goes very well with Indian spicy food. It is particularly served with Biriyani and spicy Pulao. I make raitas almost everyday as an accompaniment for our lunch. It is a matter of minutes to prepare them. Instead of having plain yoghurt I prefer to have them. Everybody has their specific way of making it. I prefer to keep the yoghurt thick and creamy while other make like to dilute it a bit. Here are my two favourite raitas: Boondi Raita and Cucumber Tomato and Onion Raita.

Ingredients for Boondi Raita:

3/4 cup Boondi.
400 ml yoghurt.
Handful fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Salt to taste.
½ tsp sugar.
½ tsp roasted cumin powder.
¼ tsp red chilli powder.

Process:
Soak the boondi in warm water till they are soft or alternatively microwave the boondi soaked in water on a high for 1-2 minutes. Drain and cool it under cold water.
Mix the yoghurt, soft boondi and fresh coriander. Season with salt, sugar, cumin powder and red chilli powder.

Now comes the second one..: Cucumber Tomato and Onion Raita:

Ingredients:

400 ml yoghurt.
1 tomato diced.
1 small red onion.
12 cm piece of cucumber peeled and diced finely.
Fresh chopped coriander leaves.
Salt and sugar to taste.
½ tsp roasted cumin powder.
¼ tsp red chilli powder

Process:

Mix the yoghurt, tomatoes, onion, cucumber and fresh coriander. Season with salt, sugar, cumin powder and red chilli powder.

Sending this off to Suma's Event- Side dishes from India
Enjoy!