Greek Yogurt Cucumber Sauce German Tsatsiki Recipes

TZATZIKI SAUCE (YOGURT AND CUCUMBER DIP)

Steps:

• Line a colander with two layers of cheesecloth and place it over a medium bowl. Place the yogurt on the cheesecloth and cover the colander with plastic wrap. Allow yogurt to drain overnight.
• Lay grated cucumber on a plate lined with paper towel; allow to drain 1 to 2 hours.
• Combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, parsley, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

GREEK YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE - GERMAN TSATSIKI

Steps:

• If you do not have Greek yogurt (very thick yogurt), line a colander with paper towels and place plain yogurt into it. Cover with more paper towels to drain excess liquid for 15 minutes or longer.
• Shred half a cucumber, place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste and let sit for 15 minutes. Press excess liquid out.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt or yogurt cheese, shredded and pressed cucumber, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer it sits, the more the garlic melds with the other ingredients. If the sauce looks runny, stir the liquid back in.
• The German presentation is to garnish with sprigs of fresh dill or chopped fresh dill or drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil over the dish.

TZATZIKI (GREEK YOGURT AND CUCUMBER SAUCE)

Steps:

• 1. If you don't have Greek yogurt, strain plain yogurt as described above. Peel cucumbers, then cut in half lengthwise and take a small spoon and scrape out seeds. Discard seeds. (If you use the small seedless or European cucumbers with few seeds, you can skip this step.) Slice cucumbers, then put in a colander, sprinkle on 1 T salt, and let stand for 30 minutes to draw out water. Drain well and wipe dry with paper towel.
• 2. In food processor with steel blade, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill, and a few grinds of black pepper. Add olive oil. Process until well blended, then stir this mixture into the yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend. (This resting time is very important.)
• 3. Tzatziki will keep for a few days or more in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.

TZATZIKI SAUCE-- GREEK CUCUMBER/YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel cucumbers and dice. Put them in a colander and sprinkle with the tablespoon of salt (draws water out). Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 minute Drain well and wipe dry with a paper towel.
• In food processor or blender, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until well blended, then stir into yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend.
• This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.
• ** If you can't find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.
• You can skip this draining process, if you want, but you will have a moderately messier, runnier result.

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.