Homemade Tzatziki Food

TZATZIKI RECIPE AS MADE IN GREECE

Steps:

• Add the Greek yogurt to a large mixing bowl and work it with a hand whisk to become really smooth and creamy. Making sure there aren't any lumps in it.
• Squeeze the grated cucumber with your hands to remove most of its water. Then add to the mixing bowl along with the Greek yogurt.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl as well and mix very well.
• Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving for the garlic to cool down a bit. Or even better overnight. If you like raw garlic you can serve this dip right away, along with some pita bread or rustic artisan bread!

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Just mix everything up together until it is all blended and the oil has emulsified into the yoghurt/sour cream. Taste for seasoning, and add salt if you think necessary. Put in a resealable container.
• Allow to 'sit' in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours before using to allow the flavors to come out.
• This wonderful meze (we do not think of it as a sauce here- it is a thick 'salata') is used to counterpoint rich, bbq'd meats (like souvlaki/shish kebab), but can be used in more diverse ways.
• Place a small plate full on your dinner table for people to scoop up small amounts onto their bread (preferably crisp-baked pita).
• Fry up some zucchini or eggplant slices (dredge in flour and fried in olive oil) and serve with a dollop of tzatziki on top.
• Use as a salad dressing.
• A dip for crudites.
• Note: If I have time, I often lightly salt the grated cucumber and put in a colander to drain, then squeeze out water as per usual. This eliminates even more water.

CHEF JOHN'S TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Sprinkle grated cucumber with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl and let stand 10 to 15 minutes to draw out juice.
• Place yogurt into a separate bowl. Dump cucumber and its juice onto a sturdy, dry paper or cloth towel and squeeze as much moisture as possible from the cucumber. Mix cucumber into yogurt. Add garlic, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice; mix thoroughly.
• Stir dill and mint into yogurt-cucumber mixture; season with salt and black pepper. Adjust all seasonings to taste.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 or 4 hours (or overnight). Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with a sprig of dill and a sprinkle of cayenne pepper for color.

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• The best result is achieved by peeling and de-seeding the cucumber before grating. Hang the grated cucumber in muslin cloth or a tea towel in order to squeeze out all the excess liquid, if you like.
• Combine the yoghurt, cucumber, lemon juice and garlic. Add a dash of olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.

GREEK TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Coarsely grate the cucumber, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and squeeze out all the liquid. Tip into a bowl with the yogurt, garlic and mint, and mix well. Great served with slow roast lamb or as a dip.

TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix everything together in a small bowl with a pinch of salt. (Can be made a day ahead.) Try it drizzled over slow-cooked Greek lamb with chickpea salad.

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, lemon juice garlic and dill. Stir to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper and taste. Adjust salt, pepper or lemon juice depending on your preference. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.

BEST TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Working with one big handful at a time, lightly squeeze the grated cucumber between your palms over the sink to remove excess moisture. Transfer the squeezed cucumber to a serving bowl, and repeat with the remaining cucumber.
• Add the yogurt, olive oil, herbs, lemon juice, garlic, and salt to the bowl, and stir to blend. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Taste and add additional chopped fresh herbs, lemon juice, and/or salt, if necessary (I thought this batch was just right as-is).
• Serve tzatziki immediately or chill for later. Leftover tzatziki keeps well, chilled, for about 4 days.

TZATZIKI: CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
• Using a whisk , blend the yogurt with the sour cream in a separate bowl. Add the olive oil mixture to the yogurt mixture and mix well.
• Add the cucumbers and chopped fresh dill. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving and garnish with an additional sprinkle of fresh dill.

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Prepare all ingredients in advance. Combine oil and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl. Fold the yogurt in slowly, making sure it mixes completely with the oil. Add the garlic, according to taste, and the cucumber and cumin.

HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Place the Greek yogurt, diced cucumbers, dried dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, and salt into a food processor.
• Blend until all of the ingredients are combined.

RACHEL'S FLAVORFUL HOMEMADE TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Using a towel or paper towel, squeeze excess water from cucumber.
• In a medium glass bowl add all the ingredients and stir well to combine.
• Taste and adjust seasonings if desired.
• Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Place the yogurt in a cheesecloth or paper towel-lined sieve and set it over a bowl. Grate the cucumber and toss it with 1 tablespoon of kosher salt; place it in another sieve, and set it over another bowl. Place both bowls in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 hours so the yogurt and cucumber can drain.
• Transfer the thickened yogurt to a large bowl. Squeeze as much liquid from the cucumber as you can and add the cucumber to the yogurt. Mix in the sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dill, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. You can serve it immediately, but I prefer to allow the tzatziki to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours for the flavors to blend. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

EASY TZATZIKI

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice and dill. Season with salt and pepper. Chill.
• BYOC: For some extra flavor, add some olive oil and some coarsely chopped fresh mint. Serve with crudities at your next party. Brush a pita with some olive oil and sprinkle za'atar on top. Bake in the oven until crispy and serve.