Ever wondered how to make a creamy, delicious Tzatziki? This is a cool and refreshing Tzatziki recipe perfect for Summer parties and starters – this is a classic starter dish that you simply can’t go without.
What is Tzatziki?
Tzatziki is a famous dish known throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. It works particularly well in those hot climates because it combines some of the most refreshing ingredients possible – cucumber, mint and yoghurt. It’s great as part of a meze platter, or as a starter or side dish to the dinner table.
How did I learn this dish?
My mum showed me how to make Tzatziki when I was very little. It’s a simple dish that we had great fun making! Now I make Tzatziki often for my daughter. It’s one of her favourites! I find myself making it a couple of times a week at least. It’s definitely a staple in my household recipes, and especially great when there are guests coming over. It’s a super easy and quick make.
Simple Ingredients:
It’s a cucumber and yoghurt dish, which is the entire appeal. It’s so refreshing on a hot day and really goes down a treat. Mint also works incredibly well with Tzatziki. You can use either dry or fresh depending on what you have. This recipe accommodates for both. It’s also particularly great if you can add garlic. Again, whether fresh or dry, it doesn’t particularly matter. You can use either for this recipe.
I prefer using dry mint but fresh garlic. I feel like the fresh garlic gives a special kick to the yoghurt that the dry garlic cannot. I often times struggle to make Tzatziki with fresh mint as it doesn’t grow in my garden all year round in chilly London. As I said: whether you use fresh or dry herbs you’ll still have a delicious Tzatziki on your hands.
Top tips
The key trick for Tzatziki is to mix the yoghurt thoroughly before combining with any other ingredients. Make sure to smooth out the yoghurt and mix until the air bubbles are all out. If not the Tzatziki will be lumpy. You should mix until you get to the consistency below:
Fresh & Creamy Tzatziki
Ingredients
- 140 g grated cucumber (1/2 a cucumber)
- 350 g Greek style yoghurt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dry mint (or 4 chopped leaves)
- 1 small clove garlic
To serve
- mint leaves
- a sprinkle of olive oil
Instructions
- Grate the cucumber into a medium sized bowl. Set to the side.
- In a different bowl, mix the yoghurt with spoon for 10-20 seconds to create a creamy texture for the yoghurt, removing air bubbles.
- Peel and crush the garlic. Chop mint if using fresh mint leaves.
- Add the crushed garlic, mint, olive oil, and salt into the yoghurt bowl and mix together.
- Drain the grated cucumber of any excess liquid.
- Add the cucumber to the yoghurt mixture and combine fully. Enjoy!
This tzatziki is so tasty thanks!