Chucumber ( Cucumber Salad - North Indian style)

Will you believe me when I say that I was a teenager when I went to a restaurant for the first time?
It is true. Going to a restaurant to eat was unheard of in my house.

That probably explains why I am not fond of restaurants even now.
But, I had the taste of North Indian food only after coming to U.S. This salad is usually served with peppery pappadams in restaurants as a starter. You can make it very hot or mild as per your taste.

One year Back -  Homemade Vegetable Broth, Chocolate Zucchini Cake
Adapted from the book 'The food of INDIA' by Murdoch Books
Ingredients:
Serves 4 generously
Red Onion - 1 small chopped fine
Cucumbers - 2 medium ones peeled, seeded and chopped fine
Tomatoes - 2 roma tomatoes chopped fine
Cilantro - 3 - 4 TBSP chopped fine
Green chillies - 2 Chopped fine (Remove seeds if you can't tolerate the heat)
Lime juice - 1 1/2 TBSP (From half of a juicy lime)
Oil - 1 tsp (don't omit it. You need this to bring out the flavors)
Roasted peanuts - 1/2 - 3/4 cup roughly chopped (See Notes)
Salt - to taste
Ground black pepper - 1/2 tsp or to taste
Chat masala - 1 1/2 tsp (Available in Indian grocery stores)

Method:
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients mentioned. If serving later, don't add salt. Add salt just before serving. If you are using english cucumber, you don't need to remove the seeds. Serve with roasted pappadams (peppery ones are preferred). You can get them in every Indian grocery store.

Notes:
Recipe says to use raw peanuts. I liked the idea of using roasted peanuts and I used that. You can vary most of the spices as per your palate. I don't see why you can't add couple of chopped apples or pears to it to make it fruity.

Enjoy.