The Best Tzatziki Food

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Slice cucumber in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds using a teaspoon (see picture in post). Chop a few times and add to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
• Add diced cucumber to a fine mesh sieve and sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt. Stir and let sit 15 minutes. (Alternatively, if you don't have a food processor you either finely chop cucumber or finely grate).
• After 15 minutes, use the back of a measuring cup or spatula to push cucumbers down against sieve to release excess water. Repeat several times.
• Add all Tzatziki ingredients to a medium bowl and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste (probably won't need salt). Taste and add additional dill, or lemon juice if desired. Best if chilled at least one hour.

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.

THE BEST TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Cut the seeds out of the cucumber (you don't have to be too picky about this!), and finely chop or grate it.
• Put the tofu, cucumber, lemon juice and salt in a food processor and blend until completely smooth.
• Taste for lemon and salt. Stir in the dill.
• Pour into a serving bowl and enjoy chilled or at room temperature. Besides being a great dip for veggies or tomato slices, it's wonderful on Tofu Gyros.
• Keeps well for 1 week. You may want to add a tablespoon or so of water the next day, as it tends to thicken slightly.

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.

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.

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.