Cacik

Submitted by diner524

"This is posted for ZWT3. This is a recipe from Steven Raichlen. This is part dip and part salad served on hors d'oeuvre platters in Turkey. This is also known as tzatziki sauce in Greece."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups plain yogurt
• 1 seedless European cucumber (seedless) or 1 large regular cucumber
• 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1 -2 garlic clove, minced
• 3 tablespoons of fresh mint (or 1 tbs dried) or 3 tablespoons dill, finely chopped (or 1 tbs dried)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

directions

1. Peel the cucumber and seed it, if necessary, then coarsely grate or finely chop it.
2. Place the grated cucumber in a colander and toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
3. Let stand, over a bowl or in sink, for 20 minutes to drain off some of the excess water from the cucumber.
4. Blot the cucumber dry with paper towels.
5. Put the yogurt in a bowl.
6. Stir in cucumber, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 tablespoons of mint/dill, 1 tablespoon oil and pepper.
7. Taste for seasoning, adding salt or pepper as necessary.
8. To serve, drizzle with remaining tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle remaining tablespoon of mint/dill.
9. Serve as a dip with wedges of fresh pita bread.

Reviews

[Ma Field]

I really liked this. Followed the hint of another reviewer and didn't drain it so it was runnier. It worked great in the dish I put it over. Made for ZWT6 by a Looney Spooner.

 

[jessi_mcg]

How yummy! I have enjoyed cucumber sauces when dining out in the past, and I can't believe it has taken me this long to try making one myself! This is very easy to put together; despite the time for the cucumber to drain it is very quick as well. I will say I thought the salt was a bit strong, and I actually added a bit more cucumber to try and balance that out. Worked like a charm! Also, you might want to add the mint or dill a bit at a time (I chose dill) as it is definitely powerful in the quantity listed. Thanks for posting! Made for Mischief Makers, ZWT 6.

 

[serim11]

I needed to put my two cents. I am from Istanbul and have eaten thousands of cacik in hundreds of Turkish places in my life. Cacik is supposed to have water in it, more liquid-er than your recipe, but a bit thicker than ayran. I mean it is not thick in consistency like a dip. It is a bit watery, which is why people drink it like a soup on the side in individual small bowls. And there is also a little bit olive oil dribbled on top of it at the very end.

 

[weekend cooker]

A nice light dinner last night. Made recipe as written, using a regular cucumber, and fresh mint. Strained the yogurt, and easy making healthy, tasty recipe. Made for Potluck tag.

 

[emheld]

This is a powerful cacik. You could get away with less mint, but it's great this way. It's also important to strain the yogurt before making cacik, or else it won't have a very thick consistency.