If you’ve ever visited Greece or Turkey, then you’ll know what I’m talking about when I tell you that the food is sublime. Fresh breads abound and every meal is filled with fresh, delicious ingredients that melt in your mouth and tingle your tongue with each and every bite.
If you’ve eaten a Gyro, you know, one of those pita sandwiches that you can find at Greek or Middle Eastern restaurants and cafes, then it likely came with a side of Tzatziki. But what you may not know is that this dip is delicious served with any meat, from chicken to lamb to beef. Just grill your favorite meat and serve it with some rice pilav, perhaps some store-bought pita bread or flat bread, and this dip.
There are many variations on the dip. In Turkey, where my in-laws are from, the yogurt is mixed with mint. My favorite recipe, however, comes from my own trial and error. It is a classic Greek recipe that I know you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients:
*3 Cups Plain Yogurt
*1 English (or Hothouse) Cucumber (The kind in the grocery store that comes wrapped in plastic)-In a pinch any cucumber will do.
*3 TB fresh-chopped dill
*1 Large, minced garlic clove
*1 Large tomato
To Make:
For this recipe, you need to strain both the yogurt and the cucumber to release the juices. That’s how you wind up with the thick and creamy dip.
To do this, line a strainer with cheesecloth or a few sturdy paper towels. Pour the three cups of yogurt into the strainer and place over a pan or bowl that is larger than the strainer and that allows room for the juices to fall. Let it sit for three hours or overnight in the fridge.
For the cucumber, peel your cucumber then grate it with a box grater. You can repeat the process that you did with the yogurt or just put the grated cucumber in the center of a few paper towels and wring it out over the sink to allow juices to fall. Then place fresh paper towels in a bowl and allow the cucumber to drain for three hours.
Now the rest is just combining! In a bowl, combine the strained yogurt and strained cucumber with the fresh dill chopped finely, the minced garlic, and the large tomato (quartered, seeded, and thinly diced). Season with a touch of salt if desired and enjoy!
The straining isn’t difficult and once you’ve done it you’ll see how easy and delicious it is! If you’re really pinched for time, you can shorten the draining time or skip it altogether. But realize that your dip will be much thinner and not as tasty. Trust me, it’s worth the extra time. So pick up your fork, take a bite of meat, rice, and Tzatziki, and enjoy! Let me know how you liked it!