AI-generated image
Mast-o khiar
Cucumber yogurt
Mast-o khiar: Persian yogurt with cucumber, mint, walnuts and rose
Mast-o khiar is the cool yogurt bowl that sits beside rice and stew on Iranian tables all summer, and families pack it in a cool box for picnics in the parks of Tehran and Isfahan. Thick yogurt is mixed with crunchy diced cucumber and dried mint, then dressed up with walnuts, raisins and a scattering of dried rose petals, which make it sweeter and more fragrant than the plain garlic-cucumber dips of its neighbours. Serve it with polo, kuku or simply with bread. Chef's tip: soak the raisins in warm water for 10 minutes first so they are plump, not chewy.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 1 ⅛ lb thick plain yogurtfull fat, or Greek yogurt loosened with a little milk
- 3 small cucumbersabout 300 g, finely diced
- 1 tbsp dried mint
- 1 oz walnutschopped
- 1 oz raisinssoaked in warm water 10 minutes
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp dried rose petals (optional)food grade
Shop this recipe on Amazon
Spices & pantry
Fresh ingredients (2)
Links open Amazon in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate, WhatToEat.Today earns from qualifying purchases.
Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Dice 3 small cucumbers into small cubes about 5 mm. If they are watery, pat them dry with kitchen paper. A common mistake is grating the cucumber: it floods the yogurt with water and the dip turns thin within minutes.
Step 2: Beat 1 ⅛ lb thick plain yogurt with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper until smooth and glossy.
Step 3: Crumble in 1 tbsp dried mint between your palms to wake up its smell, then fold in the cucumbers, 1 oz walnuts and drained 1 oz raisins.
Step 4: Chill for at least 10 minutes. Spoon into a bowl and scatter with 1 tbsp dried rose petals, a pinch more mint and a few walnut pieces just before serving.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 15 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does mast-o khiar take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of thick plain yogurt?
- Sour cream or buttermilk, same amount.
- What can I use instead of small cucumbers?
- Courgette, same weight (in salads, use young ones).
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to cook it.
Rate this recipe
Sign in to rate and review this recipe.
You might also like
Mint and onion chutney
Onions fried gently until soft and sweet, then blended with fresh mint, green chilli and lemon juice. It's a mellow, fresh-tasting chutney that is great with bhajias, samosas, kebabs and tikka, or spread in sandwiches.
Indian
Sour cream dip
A simple, tangy dip made with thick home-made cottage cheese (hung yogurt) or ready-made sour cream, seasoned with garlic, chilli, black pepper and vinegar. Serve it cold with crisps, nachos and jacket potatoes. The book's other dips use this as their 'sour cream'.
Mint and yogurt chutney
A smooth, cooling green chutney of fresh mint, coriander and green chillies blended into yogurt with a dash of vinegar. It's the classic partner for tikka, kebabs, samosas and pakoras, and also good drizzled over chaat.
Perfect for:Summer coolers