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Fresh Mast-o Khiar

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Mix thick yogurt, crisp cucumbers, and herbs with nuts and raisins for a quick and delicious dip. Pairs well as a snack or side.
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Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 00:31:29 GMT
A creamy cucumber and yogurt dish topped with chopped nuts, raisins, olive oil, and fresh dill, sitting in a white bowl. Pin it
A creamy cucumber and yogurt dish topped with chopped nuts, raisins, olive oil, and fresh dill, sitting in a white bowl. | cookscoop.com

I gotta tell you about this incredible Persian yogurt dip that totally changed my family's view on appetizers! After trying Mast-o Khiar at my Persian friend's dinner, I couldn't wait to make it myself. The mix of smooth yogurt, crunchy cucumbers, chewy raisins, and toasty walnuts works like magic together. The first time I put this out, even my yogurt-avoiding kids kept coming back for more bread to dip!

What Makes This Dip Extra-Special

This goes way beyond regular yogurt dip! The way everything comes together creates something truly wonderful. When I brought it to my book group last week, everyone wanted to know how to make it. Even my cucumber-hating neighbor went for seconds and said she loved how the sweet and savory worked together!

Your Ingredient List

  • Main Components:
    • Rich Greek yogurt from the fancy section
    • Small Persian cucumbers if available
    • Toasted walnuts
    • Plump raisins
    • Bright dill and dried mint
    • Just one flavorful garlic clove
  • Top Layer Additions:
    • Fresh herb sprigs
    • A few dried rose petals if you want
    • Good quality olive oil for drizzling
    • Extra walnuts and raisins to make it pretty

Get Ready To Make Magic

Getting Your Stuff Ready
Start by soaking those raisins in cold water so they get nice and juicy! Meanwhile, chop your cucumbers small and add salt. This pulls out water and keeps your dip from getting runny.
Putting It All Together
Stir the thick yogurt with your dried-off cucumbers and watch the transformation begin. Adding walnuts, raisins and herbs turns each bite into an adventure!
Making It Look Amazing
The finishing touches turn this from food to artwork! Scatter some rose petals, add fresh herbs on top, and you've got something that looks as good as it tastes.
A wooden bowl filled with creamy yogurt topped with dill, nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil, accompanied by pieces of flatbread in the background. Pin it
A wooden bowl filled with creamy yogurt topped with dill, nuts, and a drizzle of olive oil, accompanied by pieces of flatbread in the background. | cookscoop.com

Insider Tips

Want to know my tricks for amazing Mast-o Khiar? Always salt those cucumbers to keep everything nice and thick! Cut your walnuts and herbs right before using for the best flavor. And my top tip? Let everything hang out in the fridge for about an hour before serving so all those tastes can mix and mingle!

Ways To Enjoy It

I always put this in my favorite bowl with some warm flatbread nearby. It works for everything from casual get-togethers to quick lunches or alongside grilled meat. For bigger dinner parties, I make twice as much because it vanishes fast. I love seeing everyone's reaction to those pretty rose petals on top!

Storage Tricks

This dip stays yummy in the fridge for a couple days and actually tastes better over time! Just give it a quick mix before you serve it again and maybe throw some fresh herbs on top. But honestly, at my house it rarely lasts overnight because everyone sneaks spoonfuls when I'm not looking!

Switch Things Up

Feel free to make this your own! Sometimes I throw in pistachios or almonds instead. My friend who loves mint adds tons more fresh leaves for extra coolness. Once I tried a mix of golden raisins with dried cranberries and it was amazing! That's the fun part of cooking - finding what works best for your taste buds.

A wooden bowl filled with a creamy yogurt dip garnished with fresh dill, nuts, and drizzled with olive oil. Pin it
A wooden bowl filled with a creamy yogurt dip garnished with fresh dill, nuts, and drizzled with olive oil. | cookscoop.com

The Cultural Connection

This Mast-o Khiar has become more than food in our house. It's how we connect with Persian culture through our taste buds! There's something wonderful about bringing traditional foods into our family traditions. My kids are trying new flavors and learning that yogurt can actually be exciting.

The greatest joy isn't just the taste. It's watching people's faces light up when they realize how amazing these simple ingredients are together! Whether you're making it for friends or just as a snack, it always hits the spot. And seeing people discover foods from different cultures? That makes all the cooking worth it!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What's the best yogurt to use?
Greek yogurt works best since it's thick, but plain yogurt works fine as long as it’s not overly runny. Choose your preferred fat level.
→ Can I pick other cucumbers?
Sure! Both Persian and English ones are good. If you’re using English cucumbers, scoop out some seeds to cut down on the water.
→ Why do the raisins need soaking?
So it softens them up and makes them juicy. Any type of raisin works, whether it’s golden ones or regular.
→ What should I serve it with?
Pair it with flatbread or pita, or enjoy it on the side with grilled vegetables or meat like kebabs.
→ Do I have to use rose petals?
Not at all. They’re just for looks. Swap with fresh greens or nuts if you’d like, or leave it plain.

Mast-o Khiar

Creamy yogurt and cucumbers come together with sweet raisins, crunchy walnuts, and fresh herbs for a classic Persian side.

Prep Time
13 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
13 Minutes
By: Adriana

Category: Dips & Spreads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Persian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 3 small Persian cucumbers, chopped.
02 1½ cups thick Greek yogurt.
03 ½ cup roughly broken walnuts.
04 ¼ cup raisins, softened in water.
05 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill.
06 1 teaspoon mint flakes, dried.
07 2 minced garlic cloves.
08 Salt and pepper as needed.
09 Drizzle of olive oil for topping.
10 Optional: sprinkle rose petals on top.

Instructions

Step 01

Cut up the cucumbers, sprinkle with salt, and rest for 15 minutes. Pour out the water that collects.

Step 02

Mix cucumbers in a bowl with yogurt, garlic, walnuts, soaked raisins, and herbs. Add salt and pepper as you go.

Step 03

Try it and tweak the seasoning if you want to.

Step 04

Top it with more herbs, raisins, nuts, and a little olive oil.

Notes

  1. You can use English cucumbers as a substitute.
  2. Let the raisins soak before mixing.
  3. It works well as a dip or a side dish.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large bowl for mixing.
  • Towels for patting cucumbers dry.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy.
  • Contains tree nuts (walnuts).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 176
  • Total Fat: 10 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
  • Protein: 11 g