Tzatziki (Greek Cucumber Sauce)

One fringe benefit of blogging is you get to meet other bloggers. Several months ago I came across Everyday Living authored by tahtimbo. Since then his blog has become one of my favourites to visit. He often visits this blog as well. A couple of days ago tahtimbo commented on my Chicken Lettuce Tomato Pita Wraps asking if I had a tried and true recipe for a cucumber sauce like they have on gyros. I'm always happy to oblige! Tahtimbo, this one is for you!

Tzatziki

The cucumber sauce for gyros is called Tzatziki. It is a Greek recipe often used for gyros but is versatile enough to use as a very tasty vegetable dip or as a salad dressing. Traditionally gyros are made using lamb but beef can be used as well. The flavour of Tzatziki just pairs nicely when used as a sauce for gyros.

Tzatziki can be bought pre-made in some stores in the refrigerator section. However, this has to be one of the easiest sauces to make! Using your own  homemade yogurt makes this sauce extremely cost effective as well. Use a regular cucumber (eg. Straight Eight) rather than a seedless variety (eg. English cucumber).

Tzatziki
1 c plain yogurt
1 clove garlic
½ tsp salt
1 cucumber
dash white pepper (optional)
spritz extra virgin olive oil

Pour the yogurt into a cheesecloth lined strainer. Let drain a half hour. Peel and seed cucumber. Grate it. Sprinkle salt over the cucumber and let sit for 10 minutes. Drain. Finely grate the garlic. Stir garlic and cucumber into the yogurt. Add a dash of white pepper if desired and just a light spritz of olive oil. Mix in. Refrigerate ½ hour before using.

Avocado Salad

One way to use Tzatziki is as a salad dressing. It is cool and refreshing with a lovely flavour. I made small side salads consisting of leaf lettuce, tomato slices and avocado slices topped with Tzatziki and garnished with shredded carrots and parsley. The quick and easy to make salads were delicious!

Method: You will need per person:

½ avocado
lemon juice
3 slices tomato
1 large leaf of lettuce
2 tbsp Tzatziki

Wash and dry lettuce. Slice the avocado halves into thirds. Drizzle avocado with lemon juice. Place tomato slices on bed of lettuce. Add the avocado slices. Top with Tzatziki. Garnish with shredded carrot and parsley.