Chef Johns Tzatziki Sauce Recipes

GYRO MEAT WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• Process the onion in a food processor for 10 to 15 seconds and turn out into the center of a tea towel. Gather up the ends of the towel and squeeze until almost all of the juice is removed. Discard juice.
• Return the onion to the food processor and add the lamb, garlic, marjoram, rosemary, salt, and pepper and process until it is a fine paste, approximately 1 minute. Stop the processor as needed to scrape down sides of bowl.
• To cook in the oven as a meatloaf, proceed as follows:
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Place the mixture into a loaf pan, making sure to press into the sides of the pan. Place the loaf pan into a water bath and bake for 60 to 75 minutes or until the mixture reaches 165 to 170 degrees F. Remove from the oven and drain off any fat. Place the loaf pan on a cooling rack and place a brick wrapped in aluminum foil directly on the surface of the meat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes and feta cheese.
• To cook on a rotisserie, proceed as follows:
• Form the meat mixture into a loaf shape and place on top of 2 overlapping pieces of plastic wrap that are at least 18 inches long. Roll the mixture in the plastic wrap tightly, making sure to remove any air pockets. Once the meat is completely rolled in the wrap, twist the ends of the plastic wrap until the surface of the wrap is tight. Store in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to overnight, to allow the mixture to firm up.
• Preheat the grill to high.
• Place the meat onto the rotisserie skewer. Place a double-thick piece of aluminum foil folded into a tray directly under the meat to catch any drippings. Cook on high for 15 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium and continue to cook for another 20 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 165 degrees F. Turn off the heat and allow to continue to spin for another 10 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees. Slice and serve on pita bread with tzatziki sauce, chopped onion, tomatoes, and feta cheese.
• Place the yogurt in a tea towel, gather up the edges, suspend over a bowl, and drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
• Place the chopped cucumber in a tea towel and squeeze to remove the liquid; discard liquid. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, salt, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, and mint. Serve as a sauce for gyros. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.
• Yield: 1 1/2 cups

TZATZIKI

Steps:

• Line a strainer with a clean kitchen towel and place over a bowl. Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over the cucumbers and toss together by hand. Put the salted cucumber into the towel lined strainer and let sit for 10 minutes. Use the kitchen towel to squeeze out any remaining moisture.
• Stir the cucumber, Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a medium bowl until combined. Gently fold in the dill and mint. Serve drizzled with more olive oil.

GREEK CHICKEN SOUVLAKI

Steps:

• Place 8-10 wooden skewers in a shallow pan of water to soak before grilling. Soak 30 minutes.
• Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice from one lemon. Add the olive oil, garlic, oregano, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Toss and let the chicken marinade for 20-30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a second bowl mix the ingredients for the Tzatziki sauce. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Stir well, then put in refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Pre-heat the grill to medium heat. Slice the remaining lemons into thin rounds. Slide 7-8 pieces of chicken onto each skewer with a folded lemon slice in between every 2 to 3 chunks. Once all the skewers are ready, grill them for 5 minutes per side, 10 minutes total. Be careful that the wooden skewers are not resting directly on the grill.
• Break open one chicken chunk to test for doneness.
• Serve the chicken and the tzatziki sauce for dipping.

OUR FAVORITE TZATZIKI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, sour cream, cucumber, dill, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.