Oh, it's so good to be back! We have enjoyed really fun (if on a cold and windy side) camping trip in Cornwall last week but I must admit it is good to have all my creature comforts back now. 🙂 It's hard to believe that there are only three weeks left before kids go back to school and we are going to start thinking about warming stews and comfort foods... I thought we should hang on to the Summer for a bit longer and have got few recipes lined up which pretty much scream Summer.
The one I'm posting today is my version of very popular Greek dip/side/meze - Tzatziki. I do not claim for this to be authentic Greek tzatziki but it surely is delicious! I am absolutely obsessed with this humble little dish and put it literally on anything from barbecue or roasted meats, veggies, in wraps, sarnies or to dip some pita bread wedges in. It's absolutely gorgeous and as far as I'm concerned the more garlicy the better!
If you've been buying your tzatziki, I would definitely encourage you to try your own as it is so much better! It really is super simple and relatively quick but involves a bit of pre planning if you are after nice, thick consistency to your Perfect Greek Tzatziki.
I would definitely recommend using thick, full fat Greek yogurt for this dip to get right consistency but regular full fat yogurt will do as well (make sure you strain as much liquid sitting on top of it as possible). I would not recommend using fat free version here as it simply won't be the same. Little of what you fancy I always say. 🙂
The time consuming part of this recipe is getting rid of excess water from the cucumber. The best way to go about it is to sprinkle your grated cucumber with some regular table salt and leave in a sieve over the sink. Salt will draw the water out of cucumber which you can then squeeze out with your hands or with the help of muslin cloth.
It is also worth bearing in mind that although you can consume Perfect Greek Tzatziki straight away, it definitely gets better if it had a bit of time just siting in your fridge, resting. Not only that but garlicy notes are not as sharp but more subtle too.
That brings me to the garlic itself. My recipe is really garlicy, like REALLY! Two plump garlic cloves to this amount of yogurt is A LOT OF GARLIC! 🙂 If you are garlic aficionado as well, by no means go for it. However if you prefer garlic on a milder side, I would use 1 garlic clove to begin with and see what you think. Remember that you can always add more.
Perfect Greek Tzatziki
Ingredients
- Half long cucumber skin on, coarsely grated
- 1 cup/250ml Full Fat Greek or Natural Yogurt
- 2 plump garlic cloves minced, grated or really finely chopped - you can adjust amount as per your liking
- 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Half tsp apple cider or white wine vinegar or lemon juice
- salt pepper to taste
- 2 spring onions green parts only finely sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Start with grating cucumber on a coarse side of your grater. Put grated cucumber onto a sieve over a sink and sprinkle with pinch of table salt, leave for minimum half an hour to get rid of excess water.
- Mix yogurt with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil and vinegar (or lemon juice). Refrigerate until you are ready to add your cucumber.
- Squeeze as much water out of grated cucumber as you can either using your hands or through muslin cloth if you have one.
- Mix cucumber with yogurt mixture, add thinly sliced spring onions (if using) and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Enjoy!
You could try Perfect Greek Tzatziki with my Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Pork, Baked Pork Chops with Carrots & Cheese Crust or on the side of Perfect Pork Chops. It would also be perfect as a dip for my Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Turkey Rolls or even Asparagus and Parma Ham Twists with Pesto.
Pin For Later!
I’m linking my Perfect Greek Tzatziki with the following pages:
Cook Blog Share hosted this week by Kirsty over at Hijacked by Twins and Eb from Easy Peasy Foodie
Cook Once Eat Twice hosted by Corina at Searching for Spice
Brilliant Blog Posts hosted by Vicki at Honest Mum Blog
Simple and in Season hosted by Katie at Feeding Boys
Katie Bryson says
This is one of my fave dips in the WORLD! Is it wrong to tell you that I like dipping chips in it?!!!! Thanks for joining in with Simple and in Season with all your lovely recipes 🙂 xxx
Jennifer @ Because Food Is Love says
Lovely pictures Jo, you've made me in the mood for Tzatziki! I haven't made it in forever. I don't why, I usually have all the ingredients but I just don't think about it. But you're right. Tzatziki is delicious and so fresh. I love it in a gyro. Thanks for inspiring me to make it again! Btw, I'm definitely a fellow garlic lover! #cookblogshare
Jennifer
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you Jennifer! I'm so happy you like the photos and that my post inspired you to make Tzatziki again. It is such a lovely dip. In fact we had it again tonight as accompaniment to some lamb koftas. It worked a treat! x
Jacqui says
Great minds think alike Jo I posted my recipe for Tzatziki last week too. Its such a delicious dip isnt it.
joskitchenlarder says
Lol, yes definitely. 🙂 It is soo delicious indeed, perfect Summer dip!
All That I'm Eating says
I've not tried adding garlic to a tzatziki, I normally add chives or onions so I will have to give this a try!
joskitchenlarder says
If you like garlic you will love it. I do love this dip extremely garlicy and good thing is my husband doesn't mind lol
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain says
I'm all for hanging onto some more summery bakes too - who knows it might even encourage the sun to come out a bit more than it has of late! Great recipe, it's a dip I have to admit I've never made but reading your recipe it's so easy 🙂
Angela x
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Angela, it is super easy 🙂 I am quietly optimistic that it's not all lost yet as far as Summer is concerned 🙂 Am looking forward to some more summery bakes from you too! x
Corina Blum says
I love homemade tzatziki and yes, definitely a great easy recipe to make at home. I'm also hoping to hold onto a summer for a bit longer - I can't believe it's the middle of August already as I was on holiday and the time seems to have just flown by! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Corina! Always a pleasure! We have been camping at the beginning of August and you could notice that it was starting to get dark earlier in the evenings (especially on gloomy days). Got to hold on to what's left of August and hopefully some of September if weather is going to be kind! Summery foods can definitely help too! 🙂 x
Monika Dabrowski says
I love tzatziki, had it everyday in Greece, even twice a day sometimes! Stumbled your recipe:)
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Monika! Isn't it delicious? I never used to be a fan of shop bought ones and now I've made my own there is no going back. You got to sample the authentic version, super jealous ?
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says
Now I know what I did wrong! I tried to make tzatziki once and it was so watery now that I have read this I must try again. We all love tzatziki so must try again. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
joskitchenlarder says
Thanks Kirsty! Glad you found my tips to perfect consistency useful 🙂 Pleasure to link up as always x
Deena says
I've never made homemade tzaziki...need to get on that cause this looks delicious
joskitchenlarder says
Thank you and thanks for stopping by! 🙂 I think it's pretty addictive, hope you like it if you decide to give it a go.