Tzatziki

:('s Note:

An excellent accompaniment to souvlaki or gyros. Tastes best if allowed to sit refrigerated for several hours. You can find Greek style yogurt for this recipe in Greek or Middle Eastern delicatessins, or just feel free to use plain yogurt.

• Total Time: 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 English cucumbers
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• salt
• 4 cups plain yogurt (preferably Greek Style)
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried mint (or may use dill weed)
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cheesecloth

Directions:

1. Grate cucumbers and allow to drain in a sieve, weighted by a heavy plate, for 15 minutes.
2. Wrap grated cucumbers in cheesecloth to squeeze all remaining liquid out.
3. Set grated cucumbers in a mixing bowl.
4. Place garlic cloves in a mortar and sprinkle with a little salt.
5. Grind into a paste and add mixture to cucumbers.
6. Whisk together yogurt, vinegar, pepper, mint, and oil.
7. Add yogurt mixture to cucumbers and garlic and mix all together thoroughly.
8. Refrigerate until needed.

Reviews

[Maven in the Making]

This is the best Tzatziki recipe I've ever tried! Made it to go with Grilled Greek Chicken Breasts from this recipe - http://greek.food.com/recipe/grilled-greek-chicken-breasts-288061
Both recipes were fabulous, fast and easy. I absolutely loved the inclusion of red wine vinegar in this recipe. I'll be making this again. Thanks!

[canarygirl]

Absolutely fabulous, Sue! Draining the cucumbers is key to having a nice thick result! I used Greek yogurt, and about 3 tablespoons of fresh mint (in place of the dried). We served this over Shaye33's gyro meat in pitas, with sliced red onion, lettuce and tomatoes....MMMMM! Thanks Sue! :)

[spatchcock]

YUM! Served as an accompaniment to evelyn/athens' Dolmathes and also made some artichoke hearts stuffed with fresh mozz, spinach and goat cheese...and of course kalamatas, pitas, and feta. Really terrific flavor in this. I did not measure my herbs, just threw in a bunch of both dill AND mint. We loved this