Here’s my “secret” recipe for what I humbly submit as the World’s Greatest Tzatziki:
I liter (quart) plain yogurt, strained (should produce about half a liter of thick strained yogurt following my method). Or buy some ready-made strained Greek-style yogurt as it is often referred to.
- I large English or Lebanese cucumber (seedless) coarsely shredded in a grater, salted and allowed to drain in a colander for a couple of hours (occasionally use your hands to squeeze out more water as the salt releases it).
- 4-5 cloves really good garlic (preferably locally grown varieties; the Chinese stuff that occupies 90% of grocery shelves isn’t great).
- One ounce ouzo
- One ounce olive oil (2 Tbsp.)
- One ounce white wine vinegar
- Fresh or dried dill to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste.
Throw everything back into the plastic container the yogurt came in, or a clean Tupperware. Mix with a spoon until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Use as a chip-dip, put onto grilled vegetables, french-fries, fish, meats, etc. Virtually limitless possibilities. Great way to get the benefits of garlic without taking pills.