Jersey Diner Tzatziki Sauce Food

TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Use a box grater to manually grate the cucumbers or you can use a small food processor to finely chop the cucumbers as I do in this recipe. Toss the grated cucumbers with 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Spoon the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or a double thickness napkin and squeeze dry. (There will be a lot of liquid).
• In one large mixing bowl, place the garlic with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
• Add the grated cucumber to the bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt, and a pinch of white or black pepper, and the fresh herbs (if using. I did not use fresh herbs in the video). Stir to combine well.
• Cover and refrigerate for a bit (anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours before serving). This will help thicken the sauce and give it the best texture, while allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, stir the tzatziki sauce to refresh and transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Serve with your favorite veggies, pita chips or wedges (be sure to read the post for more ideas on how to use this sauce)!

JERSEY DINER TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a small colander with a damp paper towel. and place in a small bowl. Place the yogurt over this and allow to drain in the fridge for 1-2 hours, until it has become thick like sour cream.
• Grate the cucumber and place in a second colander. Salt lightly and press with hands or the bottom of a bowl to remove excess water.
• Mix all ingredients. Cover and place in fridge for about 30 minutes (garlic flavor will intensify with time).
• Serve with fresh veggies, falafel, or gyros. Yum!

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Using a typical cheese grater, grate your cucumber. Put the grated cucumber into a bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of salt, stir and set aside. Mince your garlic, add a pinch of salt and smooth it into a paste. Put the minced garlic in a separate bowl.
• Wash and prepare the dill by picking the leaves off the stems. Finely chop the dill and add to the same bowl as the minced garlic. Add the olive oil.
• Chop the lemons in half, remove the seeds and squeeze the juice into the dill and minced garlic mixture. Stir.
• Drain the juice from the grated cucumber by using a strainer or doubled-up paper towels. Combine the drained cucumber with the dill mixture. Stir. Lastly, add the yogurt and stir. Add more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice according to how you like it. Stir.
• Keep the tzatziki in the refrigerator until ready to eat. Serve in a nice bowl with a side of warm pita.

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 SAUCE-- GREEK CUCUMBER/YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel cucumbers and dice. Put them in a colander and sprinkle with the tablespoon of salt (draws water out). Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 minute Drain well and wipe dry with a paper towel.
• In food processor or blender, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until well blended, then stir into yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend.
• This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.
• ** If you can't find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.
• You can skip this draining process, if you want, but you will have a moderately messier, runnier result.

EASY TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix yogurt, cucumber, garlic, parsley, and salt together in a bowl. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 hour. Stir before serving.