Boondi or Lentil Balls for Indian Yogurt Raita

- use as a snack
- added to plain yogurt to make the popula side dish to an Indian meal which is called boondi raita. The recipe is given on the package. Raita is used as a meal accompaniment. In many raita recipes shredded cucumber, diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro are also added. For this reason raita is also called a yogurt salad in many Western cook books. Also use yogurt raita with boondi as a dip with bread and steamed vegetables for a mini meal.
- drizzle maple syrup on boondi and a pinch of cardamom for a quick and easy dessert
- add a handful to soups
- add a handful to hot and steaming rice for a satisfying taste
- add to salads as a lentil crouton

Boondi Raita Recipe 1 -
Mix 1 cup of Boondi with 3 cups yogurt in a bowl. Add red chili powder, some ground cumin powder, salt and maple syrup to taste. Mix together and garnish with cilantro

Boondi with Cucumber and Tomato Raita - Recipe 2
Ingredients
3 cups Yogurt and 1 cup of boondi
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup peeled and diced tomato and 1 cup diced tomato
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint or coriander

Method :
Soak the boondi in water for about 10 minutes.
Squeeze lightly and set aside.
Beat the yogurt smooth with fork, add the salt, pepper, sugar, cucumber and tomatoes and stir until the sugar dissolves.
Fold(put in and mix well) the moist boondi in yogurt.
Refrigerate.
Sprinkle with chopped mint or coriander/cilantro leaves.
Serve chilled.