Mediterranean Yogurt Cucumber Dip 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)!

MEDITERRANEAN YOGURT CUCUMBER DIP

Steps:

• In a large bowl begin by making the base of the cucumber dip. Add the 3 cloves of diced garlic, greek yogurt, lemon juice and 1 tbsp of fresh dill. Slowly fold in the feta and half of the diced cucumber.
• Just before serving, add the falafel crumbles, remaining cucumber, red onion, beets, tomato and remaining dill. Top with more feta cheese as desired and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.

GREEK YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE - GERMAN TSATSIKI

Steps:

• If you do not have Greek yogurt (very thick yogurt), line a colander with paper towels and place plain yogurt into it. Cover with more paper towels to drain excess liquid for 15 minutes or longer.
• Shred half a cucumber, place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste and let sit for 15 minutes. Press excess liquid out.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt or yogurt cheese, shredded and pressed cucumber, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer it sits, the more the garlic melds with the other ingredients. If the sauce looks runny, stir the liquid back in.
• The German presentation is to garnish with sprigs of fresh dill or chopped fresh dill or drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil over the dish.

CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• to drain the yogurt, line a mesh colandar with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and hang over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain at least an hour or two, but no big deal if it is easier for you the night before. If that is the case, make sure to cover the top and leave it in the fridge.
• This can be skipped if you can get your hands on real Greek yogurt, which is thicker than most commerical brands.
• Place the now thickened yorgurt to a bowl and add the other ingredients. Best if it sits for a bit to let the flavors combine, but with me, it is likely that it will get eaten long before.
• You may keep leftovers in the fridge, but I find the raw garlic can get a bit intense upon sitting. Not that that is a bad thing, but consider yourself warned.

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.

YOGURT, GARLIC, CUCUMBER & FENNEL DIP

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers. If using English cucumbers, halve lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Mediterranean cucumbers do not need to be seeded. Grate the cucumbers coarsely. Transfer to a sieve and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Toss well, then let drain 45 minutes. Put the cucumbers in a clean dish towel and squeeze well to remove excess water.
• Grate the fennel coarsely.
• In a bowl, combine the yogurt, herbs, garlic, chile, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Whisk well. Stir in the fennel and the cucumbers. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional lemon juice, if desired. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours before serving.
• Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, drizzle with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and garnish with reserved herbs.

TZATZIKI (YOGHURT, CUCUMBER, GARLIC AND MINT DIP)

Steps:

• Put the garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl and leave to one side.
• Peel alternate strips of skin from the cucumber (ie. peel a strip, miss a strip) and grate coarsely.
• Place the cucumber in a sieve and sprinkle with salt.
• Leave for approximately 30 mins to allow the water to drip away. Squash any remaining juice out of the shredded cucumber.
• Put the yogurt and mint in a bowl. Mix well.
• Add the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil and drained cucumber, and season well with black pepper.
• Mix well and taste for salt before serving.