Greek Garlic Sauce Recipes

AUTHENTIC TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE (GREEK YOGURT, CUCUMBER DIP)

Steps:

• To prepare this authentic Greek tzatziki sauce recipe, remove the skin and the seeds of the cucumber and grate it into a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and leave aside for 10 minutes.
• Afterwards, wrap the grated cucumber in a towel and squeeze, in order to get rid of the excess water.
• Assemble the tzatziki sauce. In a bowl, add the cucumber, the minced garlic and olive oil, the yogurt, 1-2 tbsps of red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt and blend, until the ingredients are combined. Store the tzatziki sauce in the fridge and always serve cold. (Alternatively, if you have a blender, pour in the olive oil and garlic and blend until combined. Then mix with the rest of the ingredients using a spoon. This will help the garlic to mix better with the rest of the ingredients).
• Prepare this traditional tzatziki sauce for your friends and family and serve as a delicious dip with some warm pita breads aside, or as a sauce for Greek-style souvlaki. Enjoy!

TZATZIKI SAUCE RECIPE

Steps:

• Use a box grater to manually grate the cucumbers or you can use a small food processor to finely chop the cucumbers as I do in this recipe. Toss the grated cucumbers with 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Spoon the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or a double thickness napkin and squeeze dry. (There will be a lot of liquid).
• In one large mixing bowl, place the garlic with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
• Add the grated cucumber to the bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt, and a pinch of white or black pepper, and the fresh herbs (if using. I did not use fresh herbs in the video). Stir to combine well.
• Cover and refrigerate for a bit (anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple hours before serving). This will help thicken the sauce and give it the best texture, while allowing the flavors to meld.
• When ready to serve, stir the tzatziki sauce to refresh and transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Serve with your favorite veggies, pita chips or wedges (be sure to read the post for more ideas on how to use this sauce)!

TRADITIONAL GREEK SKORDALIA (GARLIC AND POTATO DIP)

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes cut in cubes and boil in water until soft, about 15 -20 minutes
• Once boiled, strain and mix with a hand mixer or potato masher until somewhat smooth.
• In a food processor process the garlic cloves with a bit of salt, and a few drops of olive oil until it is a paste.
• Add ½ of the olive oil in the food processor and continue mixing.
• Add the garlic paste to the potato and mix with a wooden spoon.
• Add the rest of the olive oil gradually, in a steady stream mixing until oil is absorbed.
• Add a bit of red wine vinegar for taste, mix well.

EASY GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Crush the garlic cloves.
• Combine the crushed garlic with the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, tahini and chopped mint.

GREEK GARLIC SAUCE (SKORTHALIA)

Steps:

• Pound garlic with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a mortar until smooth.
• Add mashed potatoes and continue to pound and stir with pestle.
• Soak bread (crusts removed)in cold water and squeeze dry.
• Add to potatoes and garlic, pounding and stirring until smooth.
• Gradually add olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar, stirring vigorously.
• When smooth and light, add salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill in a covered bowl before using.
• Variation: Replace bread with 1/2 cup ground almonds or walnuts, or use 1 1/2 cups of ground almonds or walnuts instead of the potatoes and bread.
• Blender method: Put all ingredients in a blender and blend at moderate speed until ingredients are pulverised. Sure beats all that pounding!
• Increase speed for a few seconds until light and smooth. Do not blend for too long for the mixture heats and the oil separates.

GREEK GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Cover potatoes with water in a 3-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Drain, rinse with cold water and process through a ricer or mash thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, put garlic and salt in a large wooden bowl and pound with a pestle until thoroughly mashed.
• Gradually add potatoes and pound them with garlic.
• If mixture is still hot, let cool 15 minutes, then add egg yolk, if using, and vigorously mash or beat in with a wooden spoon.
• Alternating olive oil with lemon juice and vinegar, gradually add both to potato mixture, vigorously mashing or beating.
• Using a fork, add pepper, mixing briskly until very smooth.
• Mix in more olive oil, or even some water, a little at a time, if sauce is too thick to use as a dip.
• Spoon into a container and store, covered, in refrigerator. It will keep for about 1 week.
• Bring to room temperature several hours before serving.
• Spoon into a bowl and serve with fresh vegetables and pita for dipping.

GREEK GARLIC SAUCE

Steps:

• Cover potatoes with water in 3-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Drain, rinse with cold water and mash thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, put garlic and salt in a large wooden bowl and mash with a pestle until a paste.
• Gradually add potatoes and mash them with garlic.
• If mixture is still hot, let cool 15 minutes, then add egg yolk, if using, and heartily mash in with a wooden spoon.
• Alternating olive oil with lemon juice and vinegar, gradually add both to potato mixture, mashing.
• Add pepper, and using a fork mix briskly until very smooth.
• Mix in more olive oil(or even some water), a little at a time, if sauce is too thick to use as a dip.
• Spoon into a container and store, covered, in refrigerator. It will keep for about 1 week.
• Bring to room temperature several hours before serving.
• Spoon into a bowl and serve with fresh vegetables and/or pita for dipping. Enjoy!

GREEK TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Stir together yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil in a bowl. Add lemon zest, dill, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Pour into a serving dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate 8 hours before serving.