Tzatziki

We've found our new favorite meal! Falafel with tzatziki. Tzatziki is a Greek yogurt-based sauce containing cucumber, salt, olive oil, and various other delicious additions. When we first began looking for recipes, we found that most of them insisted one drain the yogurt through a sieve or cheese cloth, then drain the cucumber, then, once the tzatziki is mixed, refrigerate for four hours to marry the flavors.

We say, Pfffft.

Use Greek Yogurt, if you can, and no draining is necessary. Same with the cucumbers. Drain who? Also, we served our tzatziki right after whipping it up and it was fine. Better than fine. It was marvelous.

We picked up a bag of frozen falafels from Trader Joes, served them with the tzatziki, pita bread, hummus, kalamata olives and sautéed chard sprinkled with salt and lemon juice. The result was a super satisfying and swoon-worthy meal.

Effort required for the tzatziki: Truly 1/2 assed

Here's what you need and how you do it:

(We used a slightly modified version of Ina Garten's recipe)

1 eight-ounce container plain yogurt, preferably Greek

1/4 cup sour cream

1/3 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped finely

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Dribble white wine vinegar

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, or to taste

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (we used the pre-jarred stuff)

1/2 teaspoon dill (we used dried, but fresh would be fabulous)

Bit of mint (optional)

Mix all ingredients. Taste and alter to fit your preference. Serve cold with warm falafels or simply with pita bread.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.

Comments

[Jimmie Collins]

Heck yes! I was JUST at the store thinking I wanted pita something or other but I don't know where to get good hummus in Prague! My kitchen is obviously ALWAYS the best place. Thanks!

[Kay]

I am so glad to see that you offer Mint as an option. I was begin to believe I was the only one who didn't put it my tzatziki sauce.
I love your blog ... so many wonderful recipes! Very inspirational!!!

Kay
andtheniateit.com

[Christine]

Sounds yummy...and I've never drained anything when I've made tzatziki myself, either. it's stretching my food preparation prowess if I actually squish the cucumber in a paper towel :)

[Tracie]

It must be nice to have a Trader Joes there..."Sigh"

[Bee]

There's a homemade baked falafel recipe I'm dyyying to try, and this would be marvelous with it!

[Kara]

Just returned from a trip to Turkey, where we ate tzatziki daily!! Can't wait to make it myself. Thanks HAK

[recipe club]

Tzatziki is one of my guilty pleasure snack foods, except there's no guilt at all associated with me eating it. So tasty and healthy! I've submitted my own recipe to the recipe club of which I am a member.

[Debo]

Trust me, the refridgerating makes a difference! Four hours might be a bit much, but pop it in there for half-an-hour at least. I come from a (food)culture that is practically based on all possible sorts of dairy you haven't even seen, so I've been there. A lot.