Name: Cacık (Turkish Yogurt and Cucumber Dip)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 min
Total time: 16 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Turkish
Ingredients: 2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, thick or strained yogurt works; thin it with water below; 2 medium cucumber, English or Persian; grated and salted; 1 cloves garlic, crushed to a paste with a pinch of salt; 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped, plus a little for garnish; 1 tsp dried mint, crushed between your palms; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, warmed with the mint as the finishing oil (nane yağı); ½ cup cold water, to thin the yogurt to a pourable consistency; ½ tsp fine sea salt, adjust to taste

Ingredients

2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt, thick or strained yogurt works; thin it with water below
2 medium cucumber, English or Persian; grated and salted
1 cloves garlic, crushed to a paste with a pinch of salt Swap
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped, plus a little for garnish
1 tsp dried mint, crushed between your palms Swap
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, warmed with the mint as the finishing oil (nane yağı) Swap
½ cup cold water, to thin the yogurt to a pourable consistency
½ tsp fine sea salt, adjust to taste

Equipment

box grater, fine sieve, small skillet, mixing bowl

Method

Grate the cucumbers on the large holes of a box grater. Toss them with a pinch of the salt in a sieve set over a bowl, rest 10 minutes, then squeeze handfuls firmly until dry so the cacık does not turn watery.
Mash the garlic with a pinch of salt on a board until it forms a smooth paste, then whisk it into the yogurt in a bowl until fully combined.
Whisk the cold water into the yogurt one tablespoon at a time until it is loose and pourable, like a thin soup. Stop when it reaches the consistency you like.
Fold the squeezed cucumber and chopped dill into the yogurt, then season with the remaining salt and taste.
Warm the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat for 30 seconds, add the dried mint, and swirl for 20 to 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it brown, then pour the oil over the cacık.
Chill for 30 minutes so the flavours meld. Serve in bowls garnished with the reserved dill, with a few ice cubes if you like it extra cold.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 115
Protein: 5g
Carbs: 8g
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 1g

Protein 16%Carbs 26%Fat 58%

Estimates only. Check ingredient labels and allergens, and cook meat and poultry to safe internal temperatures.

turkish · yogurt · appetizer · meze · vegetarian · gluten-free

Ingredients

Equipment

Method

Nutrition per serving

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