Tzatziki
Well known through the Mediterranean and Middle East, strained yogurt and cucumbers, mixed with lemon and dill make for a creamy traditional dip.
Tzatziki
This Tzatziki is well worth the time. The ever-present Greek accompaniment with Souvlaki, Greek Salad and Hummus. Start at least 3 hours before you want to serve it or prepare the day before. Wonderful as a dip for vegetables or with Greek Style Meatballs.
Ingredients
- 500 ml 2 cups Liberte Plain Yogurt
- (After the yogurt is strained 367 grams remains/2 ½ cups)
- ½ cup (115 gram) 14 % sour cream
- 2 TBSP lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. minced garlic
- 1 TBSP (2 gr) dried dill
- 1 English cucumber 200 grams after grated (1 1/2 cups)
- (After squeezed of liquid, remains 60 grams/1/4 cup)
- 1 TBSP Kosher Salt
Instructions
- Place cheesecloth or paper towel in a sieve and strain yogurt over a bowl for 3 hours at room temperature. (If you leave for longer the yogurt becomes even thicker.)
- Next cut one English cucumber in half, then cut each half lengthwise. Scrape the seeds with a spoon, leaving the firm flesh and green skin. Discard seeds. Grate the cucumber with the skin and place in dish. Add 1 TBSP coarse salt and toss slightly. Leave for 3 hours at room temperature.
- After the yogurt has drained for 3 hours you will have about 367 grams remaining or 2 ½ cups. Place in mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Over the sieve take the cucumber in your hands and squeeze, removing the excess liquid. This will take about 20 – 25 squeezes. (I’ve taken a short cut and the Tzatziki is way too salty). The cucumber becomes denser and the original 200 grams (1 ½ cups) grated cucumber becomes about 60 grams (¼ cup).
- Add cucumber and sour cream to yogurt and mix. Next add lemon juice, garlic and dill. Mix and place in serving dish. Refrigerate until you serve. Will keep for up to 2 days refrigerated.
Notes
We always serve Tzatziki with something and pair the more dominant flavor and wine. So, the search continues to find just the right wine with Tzatziki only. But put it on the meze platter with Souvlaki and that’s a different matter.