Tzatziki

Recipe: Tzatziki

Tzatziki is a classical Greek cucumber and yogurt dip or sauce. It is easy to make, refreshing, flavourful and healthy too. Enjoy it as a dip with some pita chips, carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, tomatoes, etc or as a sauce. Generally, served as a sauce with grilled meats, or applied on the flatbread to make gyros. Makes an excellent sauce with souvlaki.

Tzatziki is my go to dip to prepare in a jiffy as usually I have the basic ingredients ready at hand. All you need is some thick creamy yogurt, cucumber, fresh mint, dill, olive oil and the dip is ready within 5 minutes. It is a great way to enjoy some fresh veggies along with tzatziki as a starter or appetizer.

Sharing Tzatziki Recipe With Foodies_ Redoing Old Posts

I actually was suppose to share this recipe with Sunday Funday Group but couldn’t as my website had an issue. I was not able to open it at all! Went into a panic mode, then into a ” I want to cry mode”. However, luckily it got sorted out within 3 days, all thanks to WordPress. So now I am sharing this recipe with Foodies_ Redoing Old Posts as this is an old post I am rewriting and sharing better photos.

Health Benefits Of Yogurt

• It is easier to digest than milk,  rich in calcium, has high levels of Vitamin B especially Vitamin B12. 
• An excellent way to get your daily requirement of phosphorus, magnesium and potassium which all are good to regulate blood pressure, good for the bones and metabolism.
• As it is high in protein, it is a good food item to include in your diet especially if you’re a vegetarian. 
• Dietitians recommend eating a bowlful of plain yogurt to ward off hunger. The protein in the yogurt makes you feel full and has fewer calories.
• Yogurts contain good bacteria and probiotics which are very good for for the digestive system. Yogurt reduced bloating, helps reduce constipation and a bowlful of yogurt is recommended when one suffers from diarrhea. 
• With all the minerals and calcium and protein present in the yogurt it improves your immune system and also helps to protect one against osteoporsis. 

 Some Dishes With Yogurt That You May Like

VEGETABLE RAITA | INDIAN YOGURT SALAD

Vegetable Raita is an easy to make Indian side dish or salad. Vegetables and a few spices are added to some plain yogurt to make this delicious dish. While you can use any vegetable of your choice, I have used tomato, cucumber and onion. You can also enjoy raita as a light meal.

Check out this recipe

STRAWBERRY YOGURT SHERBET

Strawberry Yogurt Sherbet is an easy to make, healthy, quick, cooling, refreshing frozen treat. Add the ingredients in a blender or food processor and sherbet is ready within minutes. And the best part is that no refined sugar is used. I like to use either maple syrup or honey.

Check out this recipe

THANDAI BAKED YOGURT

Thandai Baked Yogurt is an Indian dessert that is easy to make, creamy and  a flavourful indulgence.  You require  2 main ingredients - plain thick yogurt and sweetened condensed milk. Different spices or flavours are used to make this basic baked yogurt different every time.  Also known as Bhapa Doi, it is a popular dessert in West Bengal. Bhapa Doi can be steamed or baked. I have chosen to bake it. I sometimes serve it with  fruit sauce, fresh fruit or nuts on top.

Check out this recipe

DAHI BAINGAN | EGGPLANT IN SPICY YOGURT

Dahi Baingan is a delectable, easy and cooling side dish or curry. Pan fried eggplant is served with some spicy yogurt. Enjoy it as a side dish with khichdi, pulao or with a main meal. Alternately, enjoy it as a cold curry with rotis the way we do, especially during the summer. A tadka or tempering is added to the yogurt to make it spicy.

Check out this recipe

DAHI SABUDANA | TAPIOCA PEARLS IN YOGURT

Dahi Sabudana or Tapioca Pearls in Yogurt is a simple but flavourful Fasting or vrat recipe whereby sabudana is added to spicy yogurt along with some crushed roasted peanuts and seasonings. An ideal way to enjoy the cooling effect of yogurt during the hot season.

Check out this recipe

LEMON YOGURT CAKE - EGGLESS

Lemon Yogurt Cake - Eggless is so easy to make, moist with a soft crumb and refreshingly delicious. Slightly tangy, the addition of black poppy seeds adds a delightful texture to the overall flavour.

Check out this recipe

Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry

Dahi Bhindi/Okra Yogurt Curry is creamy, slightly spicy and tangy curry that goes well with any Indian Flatbread like roti, paratha, naan or rice. An easy curry to prepare, it is a different way to enjoy okra or bhindi from the usual dry preparation.

Check out this recipe

YOGURT POTATO CURRY

Yogurt Potato Curry is a creamy, delicious, slightly spicy curry. Enjoy it with any Indian Flatbread or rice. Easy to make, this curry generally features on my table when I have guests over. It is relished both by adults and kids. 

Check out this recipe

SOREKAI MAJJIGE HULI / BOTTLE GOURD IN COCONUT YOGURT CURRY

A mild but delicious curry with slight sweetness from the coconut, tanginess from the yogurt and flavours from the herbs and spices.

Check out this recipe

GUJARATI STYLE KADHI

Gujarati Style Kadhi is a staple in most Gujarati homes. It is a yogurt based curry that is usually enjoyed with some plain rice, pulao or khichdi. Plain yogurt is whisked with water, chickpea flour and spices are added. It is then cooked over low heat till it becomes thick and creamy.

Check out this recipe

BHINDA NI KADHI/OKRA YOGURT CURRY

A creamy, thick yogurt and chickpea flour based okra curry which is famous in the Gujarati Cuisine. Best enjoyed with some pearl millet flatbread or wheat flour flatbread.

Check out this recipe

TURMERIC YOGURT DRESSING

Turmeric Yogurt Salad Dressing has flavours of fresh turmeric and ginger infused well into the plain yogurt, making this dressing not only a naturally colourful, but also a very delish one.

Check out this recipe

MANGO YOGURT SMOOTHIE

healthy, delicous, filling, creamy mango yogurt smoothie is perfect for both kids and adults as a filling snack or as a breakfast option.

Check out this recipe

BAINGAN RAITA / ROASTED EGGPLANT IN YOGURT

Baingan Ka Raita or Eggplant Yogurt Dip is a delicious, yogurt based side dish. Eggplants are roasted and added to plain thick yogurt along with spices.

Check out this recipe

VAGHARELI CHAAS | SPICY YOGURT DRINK

Vaghareli Chaas is chaas or yogurt drink with a tempering. Adding the vaghar or tempering makes basic chaas so flavourful. Enjoy it as a cooling refreshing summer drink.

Check out this recipe

Ingredients Required For Tzatziki

Yogurt

Best to use plain Greek yogurt as you need thick yogurt for this recipe. If you don’t have Greek yogurt, then strain normal yogurt to remove the extra water or whey. Transfer yogurt to a cheesecloth or thin cotton cloth which is draped over a colander or big sieve. Add about 1½ -2 cups of yogurt. Cover the yogurt with the cloth. Place something heavy like a mortar or small brick over it. This helps to remove the water faster. When the yogurt becomes thick, transfer to a mixing bowl. I don’t throw the water or whey. Add it to flour to make roti paratha dough or use it up in dal or curry.

Cucumber

I prefer to use English or Persian Cucumber as the skin is thin and it has hardly any seeds. If you use another variety of cucumber you must peel off the thick skin and scoop out the seeds. Grate the cucumber. You should have approximately ½ cup. Squeeze the grated cucumber to remove excess water. Must squeeze out the extra water or else the dip or sauce will become watery.

Garlic

I have used 1 medium sized clove of garlic. Peel and mince. Don’t be tempted to add too much garlic. It will overpower the other flavours.

Fresh Dill

A must have herb for this dip or sauce. Pluck the feathery fronds from the thick stem and chop finely.

Fresh Mint

An optional herb. But it adds a deliciously refreshing flavour. Pluck the leaves off the stem and chop finely.

Salt

Add according to your taste.

Pepper

Add freshly ground or cracked black pepper.

Olive Oil

Add virgin olive oil to the dip or sauce and mix well. Alternately can drizzle over the dip before serving.