While the story of curd being known to us goes back in history, according to a popular legend, while travelling across a desert, some Turks kept milk in a goatskin bag and slung it across the back of a camel. The desert sun and the bacteria in the bag had enabled preparation of curd, also known as yoghurt. Curd and yogurt: the two terms have often been considered to be synonymous. Curd or dahi is a dairy product which is made by curdling milk with edible acidic substance like lemon juice, vinegar and even curd itself. Curd is a great probiotic that contains good beneficial bacteria known to promote gut activity, soothe the inflamed digestive system and heals an upset stomach.

Curd has somehow been a chosen ingredient by a number of international cuisines and its adaptability and versatile nature has helped it gain a lot of popularity when it comes to indian marination, gravies, lassi or chaas, shrikhand or even layered desserts where can use hung curd as well.

Milk is converted into curd or yogurt by the process of fermentation. Milk consists of globular proteins called casein. Here curd forms because of the chemical reaction between the lactic acid bacteria and casein. During fermentation, the bacteria use enzymes to produce energy (ATP) from lactose. Curd is made by bacterial fermentation of milk. In this process lactose in milk is converted into lactic acid by several probiotic microorganisms. The species involved in the fermentation depends on the temperature and humidity of the environment, and may include Lacto coccus lactis and a few more.

A favorite of many of us in a number of ways from having a bowl full of it or into a raita form, cooking it up in a kadhi concept preparing sweet dishes etc.

Here are a few popular Health Benefits of Curd:

Curd is rich in proteins and also essential minerals like calcium that helps keep our bones strong.
Curd possesses good bacteria called pro-biotics which are great to consume since it helps in digestion.
Curd is a great immunity booster and also good to consume on a weight loss program.
Curd is heart healthy, good for our hair and skin too.
Curd also helps in preventing allergies and infections.
Curd is beneficial in lowering levels of plaque
Curd helps to lower hypertension and also prevents cardio vascular diseases.

Do try out these simple and tasty recipes using CURD:

Recipe-1] RAINBOW SALAD WITH INDIANA DRESSING:

Ingredients:

Base of the salad:

Iceberg/ assorted lettuce leaves- 1 cup

For the body of the salad:

White cabbage-1/4 cup shredded

Purple cabbage-1/4 cup shredded

Tomatoes-1 no cut into cubes

Onion 1 small sliced

Broccoli- 1 cup florets, blanched

Carrots-1 small cut into cubes and boil.

Sprouts- ½ cup

For the dressing:

Curd- 1 cup beaten

Crushed cumin power

Lime juice-2 tsp

Salt and pepper to taste

Honey-1 tsp

Flax seeds- 2 tsp

Dates-2-3 chopped

Almonds/cashews-2 tsp sliced

Chaat masala-1/4 tsp

Mint leaves- 8-10

For the garnish of the salad:

Paprika powder/ chaat masala/ mint/ parsley/ micro-greens, olives.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the salad recipe.

2. In a serving plate arrange the cleaned lettuce leaves as a base.

3. As a part of dressing combine all ingredients with the beaten curd and keep it ready.

4. Arrange all the ingredients of the body of the salad ready to use.

5.Just before serving combine the body and dressing together and give them a nice toss, adjust as needed, drizzle a little dressing on it for proper mxing.

6. Portion out the salad on to the bowl of lettuce leaves, garnish and serve immediately.

Chefs variation: in case of non-veg we can use boiled chicken cubes, sliced chicken sausages or even grilled chicken/ lamb/ mutton pieces can be used. Seafood like prawns can also be added. Also for veg we can try adding fruits like plums, peaches as well to this salad.

Recipe-2] CHICKPEA- CUCUMBER & CURD DELIGHT

Ingredients

For the curd mixture:

Curd-1 and a half cup beaten

Roasted crushed cumin- ½ tsp

Rock salt/ sea salt- ¼ tsp

Fresh basil leaves- 4-5 no

For the relish mix:

Cucumber-1 no cut into small cubes

Chickpeas- boiled chana-1/2 cup

Amla/ indian gooseberry- 2 no, boiled and cut into cubes

Dates-2-3 chopped

Mint leaves- 4-5 no

Crushed black pepper-1/2 tsp

Melon seeds/ chia seeds- 1 tsp

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the relish mixture.

2. In a mixing bowl combine together the relish mix ingredients and keep aside for 10-12 mins.

3. Separately combine together beaten curd and all the other mix in ingredients and stir well.

4. Combine the relish and curd mixture and check for taste and adjust, allow to chill for 20 mins and then serve alongside a main course/ meal with parathas etc or can be served with nachos or crackers as well as a dip.

Recipe-3] ADRAKI DAHI WALA MURGH

[CHICKEN IN GINGER – CURD BASED GRAVY]

Ingredients:

Chicken- 750 gms curry cuts with bones.

For veg- use paneer/ extra firm tofu.

For the marination:

Oil-2 tsp

Ginger paste-1 tsp

Green chilies-1 tsp chopped

Salt to taste

Crushed black pepper-1/2 tsp

Lime juice- 2 tsp

Curd- 1 cup beaten thick.

For the gravy:

Oil-1 tsp

Ghee-2 tsp

Boiled onion paste- 1 cup

Ginger-garlic paste-1 tsp mix

Black cardamom- 2 no

Bay leaf- 2 no

Water/ chicken stock-1 cup

Salt to taste

Kasuri methi-1 tsp

Garam masala powder-1/2 tsp

Cashew/ almond paste-2 tsp

Fresh cream-2 tbsp.

Rose water-2 tsp

Ginger juliennes and blanched almonds for garnish.

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the adraki dahi wala murgh.

2. Marinate the chicken pieces and keep aside for 30-45 mins in the fridge.

3. Prepare the gravy heat oil and ghee in a pan add in the whole spices and onion paste and cook until light brown, add little water as needed, add in the chilies and ginger-garlic paste and saute well.

4. Add in the salt, kasuri methi, garam masala powder and add in the chicken pieces and bhunao for 2-3 mins on a medium flame, add in the cashew and curd mixture and little water, simmer, cover and cook in dum for 20-25 mins.

5. Finally check for texture and taste, adjust accordingly as desired, add in the rose water and mix, serve hot garnished with ginger juliennes and blanched almonds.

Recipe-4] TEMPERED TRIVIA CURD RICE

Ingredients:

Basmati/kolam white rice/brown rice - 1 cup boiled, cooled.

Curd- 2 cups beaten thick

Salt to taste

Oil-1 tsp

Ghee-1 tsp

Hing-1 pinch

Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp

Dried red chilies-1 no slit

Green chili-1 no slit

Chana dal-1 tsp

Milk-1/4 cup

Roasted crushed peanuts- 2 tbsp.

Assorted seeds-2 tsp- flax, sunflower, pumpkin, melon seeds.

Mint and coriander leaves- 2 tbsp. mix

Method:

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the tempered curd rice recipe.

2. In a mixing bowl combine together the cooked white/brown rice and add the beaten curd and milk and mix it all well and keep refrigerated for 20 mins.

3. To prepare the tempering heat oil and ghee in a tadka pan and add in the ingredients one by one and allow them splutter and crackle and after about 15 seconds add this tempering to the bowl of curd and rice mixture and give it a nice mix. I prefer to add a few nuts and seeds as well to the curd rice to add more value into it from roasted crushed peanuts to toasted nuts and seeds like flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc.

Recipe- 5] DAHI PAKODE WALI KADHI

[FRITTERS STEEPED IN TEMPERED CURD BASED CURRY]

Ingredients:

For the pakode/ fritter mix:

Besan-1 cup

Salt to taste and soda bi carb one pinch

Red chili powder-1/2 tsp

Jeera powder-1/4 tsp

Ajwain-1/2 tsp

Sliced onions-1 med sized

Coriander-1 tbsp. chopped

Green chilies-1 tsp chopped

Little water to make the mixture

Oil-1 tsp

Oil to deep fry the fritters

For the kadhi mix/ curry:

Curd- 1 and a half cup beaten.

Besan-1 and a half tbsp.

Salt to taste

Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp

Red chili powder-1/4 tsp

Water as required

Kasuri methi-1 tsp

Ginger- 1 tsp chopped

Oil/ ghee- 2 tsp for the tempering

Hing-1 pinch

Curry leaves- 8-10 no

Slit red and green chilies-1-2

Mustard seeds-1/2 tsp

Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp

Coriander leaves to garnish- 2 tbsp. chopped

Method:

1. Prepare the ingredients for both the segments of the kadhi pakoda recipe.

2. In a mixing bowl combine together the ingredients for the pakoda and mix well to a dropping texture and drop small portions into medium hot oil in a kadai and deep fry them to a nice golden color and keep aside.

3. In a bowl combine together the curd, besan, two cups of water, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder and beat it all together, rest for 20 mins.

4. Heat oil/ghee and give the tempering with the ingredients and allow to splutter and crackle for a few seconds, add in the curd and besan mixture, kasuri methi and stir it well, simmer and cook for 12-15 mins.

5. Check for taste and adjust salt and texture as desired, add the fried pakode just before serving and garnish with coriander leaves and serve with steamed rice or jeera rice.