I love tzatziki! I could stop there! I just love it…so fresh and healthy too! Healthy Tzatziki!

Whether it be with a traditional Greek gyros, a healthy substitute for sour cream with fajitas, or just a simple summer dip with pitta bread or celery, carrot and cucumber crudities. It is just fantastic! Yum Yum!

Now we all know we can buy it from the local supermarket but its never as good as making it yourself and with only 7 simple ingredients it can be knocked up in next to no time.

Now one important thing to note is to use the right Greek yoghurt. Both thick and thin Greek yoghurt will work but thin yoghurt is more suitable for sauces. For healthy tzatziki make sure you use thick Greek yoghurt. It is by far the best.

Finally, it’s key to make sure the cucumber is drained for as long as you can. Preferably overnight. A cucumber is over 90% water so a poorly drained cucumber just makes the healthy tzatziki watery where really you want it nice and creamy in texture.

The recipe below is so easy so don’t wait for summer. Just get on and make it always keep a bowlful in the fridge.

1. The Cucumber

As I said above, a cucumber is 90% water and you have to remove as much of this as you can. The good thing is that the majority of this water is in the centre of the cucumber, where the pips are.

Firstly, therefore, slice the cucumber in two lengthways and scoop the seeds out with a teaspoon. Once de-seeded the cucumber should look something like this:

Now you need to grate the cucumber. I use the normal cheese grater for this and use the standard cutting side as if you were grating cheddar. Once grated put the cucumber on a small sieve, add a pinch of Maldons sea salt and place on a bowl or measuring jug so the water can drip out. This will take at least a couple of hours and, if you have time, leave it in the fridge overnight.

2. The Garlic

Take the garlic cloves and crush them in a pestle and mortar. You can use a garlic crusher if you don’t have a pestle and mortar but once crushed add a couple of good glugs of extra virgin olive oil and mix.

Now add this to the yoghurt and stir in the garlic.

3. Add the rest of the ingredients

Firstly finely chop the dill and mint and add this to the garlic and yoghurt mix. Now add the juice of one lemon and mix it all together.

Next, take the drained cucumber and lay it out on some kitchen paper. Pat it dry to remove as much of the remaining moisture as possible and add to the yoghurt mix. Add some seasoning and the give it another good mix.

4. Serve and eat!!

Spoon the healthy tzatziki into a serving bowl and use as a dip for pitta bread, crudities or whatever you like! For me, I like to use my parsnips crisps for a really healthy little snack. Far healthier than dipping your Doritos in cream cheese! ???? Yum Yum!

 

Ok food lovers that’s it for this instalment. As always the printable recipe is below so why not give it a go? Let me know how you get on and if you have any questions just use the comments box below.

Enjoy my friends and until next time…

5. Printable recipe