Sour curd, also known as "Khatta Dahi" is curd that is turned sour due to fermentation of milk with the help of certain bacteria. Essentially different from yogurt, which is not sour, this curd is a staple in most Indian households and has been for many decades.

Methi Pakoda Kadhi (Mcrowave Recipe)

It is made by heating the milk till it comes to a boil so as to kill all the bacteria in it, then letting it cool off till it is warm, adding more cultured bacteria (which is not found in common households and hence more curd is added to the milk) and then finally letting the milk sit out at room temperature, or in a warm place, for 7 to 8 hours. Once the curd has become sour, you can store it in the refrigerator as keeping it outside will make it sourer. While making sour curd, one also has to keep in mind the climate as curds will turn sour faster in the summer than in winter.

Khatta Urad Dal

Sour Curd usage in Indian food

Essentially everyone eats curd before it turns sour, but this sour curd holds a special place in Indian food and its preparation. From acting as a fermenting agent to imparting a "khatta" kick to the food, it is a near and dear to every Indian household.

Sour Curd usage as fermenting agent in Indian food

sour curds work great as a fermenting agent in Indian snacks. Certain Indian foods require a bit of fermentation to form the batter in order for it to cook properly. One of the best ways to ferment a batter is to add sour curd to it, the most famous one being Khatta Dhokla. This gujarati dish is the most eaten and has a beautiful sourness through it that comes from adding sour curds to a rice and urad dal flour and then steaming it.

Khatta Dhokla

Other types of dhoklas can also be made using this method like Buckwheat dhokla and if one wants variations, they can always go for an easier, microwave friendly option like Makai na dhokla. Not only is curd used to ferment dhoklas, it is also used in the South Indian cuisine to make dosas and uttapams like Mini Rava Uttapa.

Buckwheat Dhokla, Faraal Buckwheat Dhokla

Sour Curd Recipes in Curries

Pithore Kadhi recipe is a curry made with a concoction of spices and sour curd to give it a sumptuous taste. The spices and curds work so well together that it leaves our taste buds wanting more for this sweet, spicy and sour curry.

Pithore Kadhi

Another curry which is widely made is Khatta Moong, again a gujarati treat, wherein moong is simmered with curds, spices and garlic to give it an additional kick. Similarly, Khatta urad dal can also be made to try something different.

Khatta Moong

Sour Curd Recipes in Desserts

Not many people know, but sour curd is a very versatile ingredient and can be used in desserts as well. Curd is an excellent replacement for egg when used for baking. It adds a very nice softness to the baked good it is added too like in this Eggless Chocolate Cake and Eggless Vanilla Cake. Curd also adds moistness and gives a richer texture when used to make Chocolate Brownies.

Eggless Chocolate Cake Using Curds

Sour Curd is Protein Rich

Due to the high protein in curd, it is recommended to be consumed by vegetarians every day, but eating curd becomes boring, doesn’t it? Hence we are finding new and improved ways to incorporate it into our daily lives and what better way than using curd to make Protein Rich Cupcakes using different dals and rice. Further, if you are wondering what to have these with? look no further than a Green Garlic Chutney, made with curd as well, to give you that extra protein in the day!

Green Garlic Chutney

Enjoy our collection of sour curd recipes, sour curd Indian recipes below.