Tzatziki (cucumber yogurt dip)

Tzatziki, tzadziki, or tsatsiki (Greek: τζατζίκι) is a Greek meze or appetizer, also used as a sauce for souvlaki and gyros. Tzatziki is made of strained yogurt mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, usually olive oil, pepper, sometimes dill, sometimes lemon juice and parsley, and sometimes mint added. Tzatziki is always served cold. Whenever I go back to Greece to visit my husband's family, tzatziki is always served with any restaurant meal.  Tzatziki is served at the beginning of a meal with bread and horiatiki, "villager salad" which is tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, peppers, olives, topped with a giant slab of feta and a sprinkling of oregano. Since there are no gluten-free pitas to be had in Greece, I usually get french fries for dipping into the tzatziki. Yes, very indulgent but so delicious! When I make tzatziki back at home, I serve it with simple accompaniments such as sliced cucumbers, peppers, and my delicious grilled gluten-free pitas with lots of oregano and rubbed with olive oil.  It's perfect on a hot summer's day. Easy and so fresh.

Ingredients:   

• 1 large cucumber
• 1 pint Greek yogurt (strained)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 clove minced garlic or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Peel the cucumber, seed, and grate very coarsely. The best tzatziki is very thick and creamy, so removing excess water is key. Salt the grated cucumber generously with kosher salt to draw out moisture and place in colander or on paper towels. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes and then squeeze/wring out water.

Combine all ingredients in medium/large mixing bowl. Make sure to remove excess water from grated cucumber before adding. Taste for seasoning. Chill for at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
Serve as a dip. Garnish with a small drizzle of olive oil, olive, and/or dill. Great with pitas.


This is part of Food Network's Summer Fest. Check out The FN Dish. The seasonal produce we're focusing on here is cucumber! We all need to keep cool as a cucumber with the peak of hot summer upon us.  Here are other delicious features on cucumbers:

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-Erin Swing
The Sensitive Epicure