Buzz
Tzatziki is a Greek cucumber-yogurt sauce commonly used as an appetizer, dip, or to complement various dishes. It can be enjoyed on its own or paired with Gyros bread. Below are two Tzatziki sauce recipes for you to try based on your preferences:
Ingredients
Authentic Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Style)
- 700 ml of unsweetened Greek yogurt (the thicker, the better)
- 1 cucumber (English cucumbers with fewer seeds or Kirby cucumbers for a sharper taste)
- 2 garlic cloves
- Fresh oregano
- Fresh dill
- Extra virgin olive oil (choose a high-quality product with a clear production date for the best flavor)
Dice-Cut Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce (American Style)
- 2 tubs of plain yogurt, 950 ml
- 4 medium cucumbers or 2 large cucumbers
- 1 garlic bulb
- 2 large lemons
- Olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Steps
Authentic Tzatziki Sauce
Peel and prepare the cucumber. Peel the cucumber, then cut it into 3-4 sections. Next, use an apple corer to remove the seeds from the middle of the cucumber.
Nạo dưa chuột. Đặt mặt phẳng của miếng dưa chuột lên dụng cụ nạo và bắt đầu nạo. Không cần nạo quá nhỏ.
Ép ráo nước. Cho dưa chuột nạo vào rây lọc và để nước chảy bớt vào cốc. Có thể ấn nhẹ để nước trong dưa chuột chảy ra. Đặt riêng dưa chuột và phần nước ép.
Chuẩn bị tỏi. Băm nhỏ tỏi hoặc cho tỏi vào dụng cụ ép và ép nhuyễn. Sau đó, trộn tỏi với một ít dầu oliu, nửa thìa muối. Nên cho nguyên liệu vào cối giã nhuyễn hoặc đổ vào bát và dùng dĩa/dụng cụ nghiền khoai tây trộn đều.
Lọc sữa chua. Xếp giấy lọc cà phê vào rây lọc rồi đổ sữa chua vào. Lọc khoảng 15 phút, khuấy nhẹ (tránh làm rách giấy lọc) rồi để lọc thêm 15 phút.
Trộn các nguyên liệu chính với nhau. Trộn sữa chua, dưa chuột đã ép nước và hỗn hợp tỏi vào bát thủy tinh hoặc inox.
Season the sauce. The seasonings used in Tzatziki sauce vary depending on the region of Greece, and many places worldwide even use non-traditional spices. You can choose and combine spices based on your taste, such as lemon juice, wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano, 1 tablespoon of fresh dill, or 1 teaspoon of mint. However, using black pepper will give you the most traditional flavor.
Let the flavors infuse. Cover the bowl of ingredients with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. The best flavor is achieved if the spices infuse for 12 hours. The cucumber juice can be used to make a salad dressing, marinate meat, or added to the Tzatziki sauce to enhance its cucumber flavor.
Finish it off. Now you can enjoy your authentic Tzatziki sauce. Typically, the sauce is served in a small bowl with bread, drizzled with a bit of olive oil, a few Kalamata olives, and a sprig of oregano or herbs.
Diced Cucumber Tzatziki Sauce
Prepare all ingredients. Have all the required ingredients ready as listed above.
Prepare the cucumber. Peel the cucumber and slice it into long pieces. Then, use a spoon to remove the seeds from the center.
Dice the cucumber. Dice the cucumber and place the pieces in a sieve to drain excess water. Too much water can dilute the sauce.
Peel and chop the garlic. Peel and chop the required amount of garlic, whether it's a few cloves or a whole bulb, depending on your preference. After chopping, place the garlic in a food processor with olive oil. Blend until smooth and the mixture is well combined.
Strain the yogurt. Place a coffee filter in a sieve and pour the yogurt in. Let it strain for about 15 minutes, gently stirring (to avoid tearing the filter) and then let it strain for another 15 minutes.
Mix the ingredients. Combine the garlic, cucumber, and yogurt in a large bowl made of glass or stainless steel. Season with salt and pepper, and add a splash of lemon juice if desired.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly. Use a whisk or a large spoon to combine the ingredients evenly. You may taste it and adjust the quantities to suit your preferences. However, keep in mind that the flavor of the sauce will become stronger after mixing.
Chill the Tzatziki sauce in the fridge. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 2-3 hours before serving. This step helps reduce the pungent odor of garlic.
Enjoy the dish.
Tips
- You can adjust the amount of salt and pepper to match your taste.
- It is recommended to use unsweetened yogurt, and avoid flavored or vanilla yogurt.
- The Tzatziki sauce will taste even better the next day and can be stored for a few days in the fridge.
- Feel free to reduce the garlic quantity depending on your preference.
Warning
- Enjoy the Tzatziki sauce with your partner, spouse, or family. They might remind you if your breath smells unpleasant after having the sauce.
What you'll need
- Coffee filter paper
- Strainer
- Grater
- Food processor
- Garlic press
