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Mast-O-Khiar
Serves 4 Prep 12 min Cook 0 min Total 12 min Type Side Origin Iran

Mast-O-Khiar

Persian yogurt-cucumber side: thick strained yogurt with finely-diced cucumber, dried mint, walnut pieces, raisins, dried rose petals and a pinch of salt and pepper. Eaten as a side to any Persian meal or as a starter with bread. Less garlicky than its Greek cousin tzatziki, more about herbs, nuts and dried fruit.

Serves 4 Prep 12 minutes Cook 0 minutes Units Rate

Overview

Cucumber dices fine and salts briefly to lose water. Folds into thick Greek yogurt with chopped walnuts, raisins, dried mint, salt, pepper. Garnish with more walnuts, dried mint, dried rose petals (if available), a drizzle of olive oil. Eaten cold.

Ingredients

  • 500 g thick strained Greek yogurt
  • 1 cucumber (large, deseeded, very finely diced)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (for sweating cucumber)
  • 50 g walnut halves (lightly toasted, chopped)
  • 3 tablespoons raisins (or sultanas)
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

To finish

  • 1 tablespoon walnut pieces (extra, for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon dried mint (extra)
  • 1 teaspoon dried rose petals (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

Stage 1 - Sweat the cucumber

  1. Place diced cucumber in a sieve over a bowl; sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt.
  2. Leave 10 minutes; press gently to remove water.

Stage 2 - Combine

  1. In a wide bowl, fold together yogurt, drained cucumber, chopped walnuts, raisins, dried mint, salt, pepper.
  2. Taste; adjust salt.

Stage 3 - Garnish

  1. Tip into a serving bowl.
  2. Scatter extra walnuts, dried mint and rose petals.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil.

Stage 4 - Serve

  1. Eat cold with bread or alongside grilled meats and rice.

Notes

  • Strained yogurt is essential: Regular yogurt gives a watery dip; strained (or thick Greek) gives the right body.
  • Toast the walnuts: 4 minutes in a 180°C oven. Refreshes their flavour.
  • Rose petals: Iranian rose petals (sold dried in Middle Eastern shops) are a beautiful garnish. Skip if unavailable.

Storage

  • Refrigerate 3 days. The cucumber softens; flavour deepens.

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