Tzatziki

Tzatziki, Cacık or Tarator is a popular yogurt based Mediterranean dip, spread, sauce enjoyed all around the Middle East, Mediterranean and the world. It’s a simple dip made with strained yogurt, cucumber, herbs such as dill, mint, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice. It’s a perfect appetizer on hot summer days served along with pita chips, pairs nicely with grilled foods, BBqs, or used a spread in sandwiches like gyros or makes an excellent side dish with eggs and grain bowls.

NOTES

• Yogurt: Best yogurt to choose for Tzatziki is strained yogurt like greek or make your own by straining plain full fat yogurt in a cheese cloth to drain as much liquid as possible. Once strained it should be thick like Greek yogurt. For dairy free, use plant based yogurt and strain or plant based Greek yogurt. I don’t recommend low fat yogurt for this recipe, but its possible to make it with low fat yogurt only the texture is not the same.
• Cucumber: I prefer Persian cucumber, English works well too, simply grate, squeeze out as much liquid as possible and use in the recipe.
• Herbs: fresh dill, mint works the best, dried will work perfectly well in this recipe.
• Garlic: Adds much needed flavor and sharpness. Quiet frankly tzatziki is not the same without it.
• Lemon: Essential acidity to lift the flavors and balances the creaminess.
• Olive oil: use a little for garnish and that earthy flavor, it is a Mediterranean recipe after all.

• 1 cup Greek yogurt ** see notes
• 3 Persian cucumber, about 1 cup finely chopped or grated ** see notes
• 1-2 tablespoons e.v olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh or dried dill
• 1 tablespoon dried or 5-8 leaves mint chopped
• 1-2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon Black pepper

1. Grate or finely chop the cucumber and squeeze the cucumber as much as possible to extract the cucumber juice. You can drink the juice.
2. Grate or mince the garlic.
3. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl with the salt, black pepper and herbs. Drizzle with the olive oil and serve with pita chips or any way you desire.