Dahi for Summer: 11 traditional curd dishes of India to keep the gut cool

Curd or dahi is one of the most comforting summer foods. It is not just a versatile food but also an easily available dairy product enjoyed in most Indian homes. Rich in probiotics, protein, and calcium, it not only aids digestion but also adds a refreshing, tangy flavor to all summer meals. From breakfast to dinner, it is used in many forms to satiate the taste buds. For breakfast, it pairs well with cereals, and when it comes to lunch and dinner, it works as a mixer to make dishes like kadhi, and then for snacking, it tops up on chaat to add a cooling effect. Take a look at these 12 traditional curd dishes of India that one can't resist.

This is a popular Indian snack, where soft lentil dumplings (vadas) made with urad dal are soaked in water, then topped with fresh dahi, and finished with chutneys and spices.

It is also a popular curry enjoyed with steamed rice during summer. Made with besan, curd, turmeric, and a tempering of panch phoran, green chilli, and mango powder, it is a comforting Indian dish which is enjoyed with salad on the side.

Also known as buttermilk, it is a traditional Indian drink made by miximg curd with water and seasoning it with cumin powder, pepper, salt, and mint. It is best enjoyed in summer as it keeps the gut cool, hydrates the body and aids digestion.

It is a traditional Indian dessert, made with hung curd and is sweetened with sugar and flavored with aromatic spices like saffron, cardamom, and nutmeg. It is especially popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

It is a popular Indian street food, that consists of crispy puris filled with a mixture of boiled potatoes, sprouted moong, or chickpeas, topped with cool yogurt (dahi), sweet and tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and garnished with sev, coriander, and pomegranate seeds.

It is a popular side dish where eggplant marinated in semolina, besan, turmeric, and salt is pan-seared and then dunked in beaten curd along with ground spices. It goes well with rice and roti.

Thayir Sadam, also known as curd rice, is a staple South Indian dish made with softly cooked rice mixed with fresh yogurt, roasted peanuts, and tempered with simple spices like mustard seeds, and curry leaves.

Pachadi is a South Indian condiment or raita-like dish, usually served as a side with rice or meals. It is made with fresh vegetables or fruits, ground spices, yogurt, and sometimes coconut.

This is a popular side dish of India made with beaten curd, spices, and veggies like cucumber, bottle gourd, tomato, and even okra. It also uses a tempering of oil, cumin seeds, and green chili.

These are shallow-fried delights made with hung curd seasoned with herbs and spices, coated with a slurry and then coated with breadcrumbs.

It is a popular sweet drink native to Punjab and is made with curd, sugar, malai, rose syrup, and nuts, which is further topped with rose petals.