November 17, 2021, 3:45 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Tzatziki, the Greek classic loaded with garlic, is a must at any barbecue. Here, we reveal how to prepare it in just a few minutes and a simple trick to avoid garlic breath the next day.
Tzatziki needs garlic. Lots of garlic. And as everyone knows, it leaves its scent behind. This is due to a series of chemical reactions involving the compound allicin, which forms when garlic is crushed.
Ever wondered if you could taste tzatziki with your eyes closed? We put it to the test–check out the video above!
Tip to Avoid Garlic Breath: Dip Clove in Cucumber Water
This very characteristic makes garlic a perpetual scapegoat. Hardly anyone wants to eat it, especially not raw, and certainly not if you have a date, plans for the night, or an important meeting the next day. Yet, it’s supposed to be so healthy; it was even named Medicinal Plant of the Year in 1989.
Smell or no smell: There’s no acceptable excuse for making tzatziki without garlic. In search of a trick to avoid the unpleasant side effect, TRAVELBOOK found a simple tip from a chef: In an article from “Apotheken Umschau,” he recommends briefly dipping the crushed garlic clove in cucumber water (see recipe below) and then removing it. This way, you get the flavor without the odor. Another trick: Remove the green core in the clove. It contains the highest concentration of allicin.
Also interesting: How to Make Perfect Guacamole in 10 Minutes
The dip tastes best with meat dishes like souvlaki and gyros, warm flatbread, or grilled vegetables. So if you want to prepare one of the simplest cold appetizers in the world at home, here’s the recipe:
Homemade Tzatziki – Here’s How
Ingredients for Two People:
- 400g Greek yogurt (firm and about ten percent fat)
- 1/2 cucumber
- 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic
- some (good!) olive oil
- possibly 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper
Find more great recipes from around the world here!
Preparation:
- Briefly wash the cucumber, peel it, and cut it in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds with a spoon and use them elsewhere (such as in a cucumber salad) to prevent the dip from becoming too watery. Grate the cucumber, salt it in a bowl, and let it drain after about half an hour. Set the cucumber water aside.
- Mix the Greek yogurt with the pressed garlic cloves and grated cucumber in a bowl. (Alternative: Place the garlic cloves in the cucumber water, let them sit briefly, and then remove them.)
- Season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a bit of lemon juice, and add some cucumber water.
Looking for something to do while eating? Check out our quiz show “Who Beats the Geography Pro?” and join in the fun as contestants taste world dishes blindfolded. Enjoy!