Cooling the Heat - Cucumber Raita Recipe

[MODIFIED] There’s a common misconception that when you’ve over-indulged in a very hot food item, that drinking a glass of water will cool things down. Water is probably the worst thing you could have, as it opens up your taste buds and makes your tongue burn even more. So what do you do?

One way to cool the heat is to eat a few pieces of white bread or any flatbread made with white flour. White flour works better. (I’ll admit, I don’t why this is.)

A much tastier heat diffuser is an East Indian sauce called “raita” or “cucumber raita”. Raita is extremely easy to prepare, but there are different bases you can use. The simplest recipe is:

• Finely dice 1/4 cup cucumber, seeds removed. Any type of cucumber works.
• Mix with 1 cup of yogurt, buttermilk or sour cream.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. (Don’t use too much. Keep in mind that this isn’t the typical sauce, in that its main function is too cool your palate.)

Simple, huh? In a pinch, onion chip dip or the Greek tzatziki sauce works as well.

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