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Tzatsiki

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TzatsikiChristopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton

This is the one sauce you must make. It's a classic and very easy to prepare, but be sure you use only a superior quality Greek yogurt or labne spread. I cannot emphasize this strongly enough—it makes all the difference.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 1 quart

Ingredients

1

English cucumber, peeled

10

cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped

1

cup distilled white vinegar

4

shallots, thickly sliced

1

cup small, picked sprigs dill

2

1/2 cups strained or Greek yogurt or labne spread

2

tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2

tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Kosher salt and cracked black pepper

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Quarter the cucumber lengthwise and trim off the triangular wedge of seeds. Cut the cucumber into a very small, even dice. Transfer it to a mixing bowl.

    Step 2

    In a food processor, combine the garlic, vinegar, shallots, and dill. Pulse until finely chopped but not puréed. Add the mixture to the cucumbers; add the yogurt. Fold together with a rubber spatula, adding olive oil and lemon juice. Season liberally with kosher salt and pepper, starting off with 1 tablespoon salt. Taste for seasoning. You can store Tzatsiki in a covered, clean jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

  2. Step 3

    • The Wedge: Smear some Tzatsiki onto a pita triangle. Top with a tiny pinch of dry Greek oregano, a few pieces of diced tomato or a halved grape or cherry tomato, and a few salami matchsticks.
Reprinted with permission from How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking by Michael Psilakis, © October 2009 Little Brown