What if I tell you that I am going to talk about a low-fat, heart-healthy, no-cook, gluten free but extremely delicious dip/sauce/condiment today, will you believe me? Today's post is all about the super-delicious, super-creamy, super-easy Tzatziki Sauce Recipe.
Tzatziki - in simple terms, is a yogurt cumber sauce or dip from the Middle Eastern cuisine.
I love it so much that I can make a meal out of it - just scoop it with some toasted pita bread wedges and you will find me H-A-P-P-Y!
It is an extremely simple dish to make, the hardest part being, finely chopping cucumber (preferably seedless). Many a times, it becomes a little runny, because we underestimate the water content in cucumbers (and yogurt). So, in order to avoid a runny Tzatziki sauce, I salt the cucumber pieces and let it drain for some time, there by reducing the water content and hence a runny Tzatziki. If you like Greek Yogurt (what is there not to like), use that. Else, use regular yogurt, but drain that too. You can learn how to make hung yogurt by clicking this link.
Lemon adds a lot of flavor, a freshness and a hint of tanginess to this dip, which makes it GOOD! And as for Dill leaves, they add a pretty distinctive taste (and they are so pretty to look at).
There are a variety of Tzatziki recipes that use mint also in the preparation, but for us, just some chopped Dill leaves would do.
Does it remind you of the Indian raitha by any chance? Well, I was under that impression till I started making Tzatziki sauce at home. Of course, there are some common ingredients, but the similarities just stop there.
The flavors are entirely different, try the simple recipe and know it for yourself.
This versatile dip not only tastes good with toasted pita chips, can be used to dunk vegetable sticks as well as serve as an accompaniment to your kebabs (I am working on something, will share it soon). These are just a few ideas.
Yummy, healthy (low-calorie) and crowd-pleaser (aren't you going to make this at your next party?)? You bet!
P.S.
A few notes about the photos 🙂 . I always seem to have something to say about the photos. (See Pongal Recipe and Vanocka Recipe).
I was at a loss to style Tzatziki. We tried many different styles to shoot it. Whatever we did, it just looked like a pile of a white blob, not doing justice to the awesome taste.
So, we decided to go for the "White on White" theme (if you follow me on Facebook and scroll down the timeline a bit, you can see one of my other images based on the White on White theme) and the garnish inspiration came from the images on Pinterest.
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Tzatziki Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups yogurt
- 1 about 300 grams cucumber; finely chopped, salted and drained for at least 25 minutes
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped Dill leaves
- Juice of ½ lemon adjust to taste
- 2 garlic cloves about 8-10 grams; finely chopped (adjust to taste)
- Olive oil to drizzle on top.
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Wash, peel and finely chop the cucumber. Sprinkle a little salt and toss well to coast. Place in strainer to drain the excess liquid for at least 25 minutes.
- If required, drain the yogurt too.
- Finely chop Dill leaves and garlic.
- Juice ½ of lemon.
Assembling
- Pat dry the cucumber pieces using a clean kitchen towel.
- Mix drained cucumber pieces, (drained) yogurt, dill leaves, garlic and mix well.
- Drizzle Olive oil and serve.
Parvathy says
Love it! I saw the post on Instagram and I was like "I have got to take a look at it"!! Supper! I love your style!
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Parvathy. I did not want the sauce to end up looking like a white blob. :). Thanks for your kind words.
Sonal says
One of my favorite dips Sree! Completely in love with the fresh pictures here 🙂
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Sonal.
Sandhya Hariharan says
It looks lovely!! White on White is my favourite ... anyday. Loved your take on it.
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Sandhya.
[email protected] says
Tzatziki is my all time favorite. Perfect share for the perfect time...
love that cute little bowl Sree..beautifully styled
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Jyo. It is such a versatile sauce, slather it on anything, and everything just seems to tasty.
Sowmya says
I loved loved loved that white porcelain Handi style prop and absolutely loved the Cucumber yoghurt dip. Solitary Olive ! Hmmmm. Adipoli!
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Sowmya. That white bowl is French Onion Soup bowl put to another use. Glad you liked it.
Meena Kumar says
I don't feel like taking my eyes off that lone olive looks like a gem so well photographed... pretty props and of course love tzatziki too.
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Meena. That garnish idea was from Pinterest. Else the sauce just looked like a white blob. 🙂
Traditionallymodernfood says
White on white looks magical.. Ur pics gave cgsrcter to the recipe..awesome
Framed Recipes says
Thanks Vidya. I love white on white too.
anne says
Nice recipe! Now I'm in the mood for tzatziki!
Framed Recipes says
:). Thank you Anne.
Sandhya says
I love this sauce- thanks for posting it. I have made the mint variation too-that is also good.
Framed Recipes says
Thank you Sandhya.
Pinkz says
I, all of a sudden, feel starving looking at your pictures. Did I ever mention that your food snippets are as tempting as one could bite off the screen. I have bookmarked the recipe of the dip and hoping to indulge in that very soon 🙂
Framed Recipes says
:). Thank you Pinkz. <3
Piyali Mutha says
Tzatziki Dip is one of my favourite dips too. It's intense in texture but subtle yet so tasty. Your pictures are indeed stunning. I have followed your white on white pictures and this is another brilliant addition to it.
Framed Recipes says
Aww thank you Piyali.