Tzatziki Sauce

Mediterranean Dinner (Kofta & Vegetables) with Tzatziki Sauce

Tzatziki Sauce goes great with all sorts of Mediterranean dishes as well as fish filets, chicken and other grilled meats and vegetables. Pictured above with Kofta meatballs and fresh vegetables, this makes for a delicious dinner. Tzatziki sauce is healthy as well made with plain Greek yogurt.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 English cucumber, partially peeled (striped) and sliced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, divided
  • 4 to 5 garlic cloves, peeled, finely grated or minced (you can use less if you prefer)
  • 1 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Early Harvest  Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 cups Greek yogurt (I used organic fat free Greek yogurt, but you can use 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt, if you like)
  • 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  • Warm pita bread for serving
  • Sliced vegetables for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the cucumber. In a food processor, grate the cucumbers. Toss with 1/2 tsp kosher salt. Transfer to a fine mesh strainer over a deep bowl to drain. Spoon the grated cucumber into a cheese cloth or a double thickness napkin and squeeze dry. Set aside briefly.
  2. In one large mixing bowl, place the garlic with remaining 1/2 tsp salt, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. Mix to combine.
  3. Combine and chill. Add the grated cucumber to the large bowl with the garlic mixture. Stir in the yogurt and white pepper. Combine thoroughly. Cover tightly and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
  4. When ready to serve, stir the tzatziki sauce to refresh and transfer to serving bowl, drizzle with more extra virgin olive oil, if you like. Add a side of warm pita bread and your favorite vegetables. (Also see notes for more ideas.) Enjoy!

Mediterranean Dinner (Grilled Kofta & Vegetables) with Tzatziki

Classic Macaroni & Cheese

Classic Macaroni & Cheese

I’ve been making this macaroni and cheese dish for a few years now and it’s always a  favorite.  I got the recipe out of a magazine, can’t remember if it was a wine or food and wine magazine, but it caught my eye and I said, “I can make that” and have been ever since.  It’s great as main course or as a side and good for a big crowd.  You can serve it plain or add ham, bacon, lobster, etc. based on your preferences.  So here we go…

Ingredients:

Macaroni & Cheese Main Ingredients

  • Kosher salt
  • 6 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 2 Cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 Cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1/2 Medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 Tsp. mustard powder
  • 1/4 Tsp. Cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 to  1/4 Tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 Cups whole milk
  • 1 Cup heavy cream
  • 2 Cups coarsely grated sharp, aged cheddar cheese, preferably orange, about 6 ounces
  • 2 Cups coarsely grated Gruyere cheeses, about 6 ounces
  • 2 Cups cubed cooked ham, bacon or lobster (Optional)
  • Bring 3 to 4 quarts of water to boil in a pot.  Add 1 Tbs. salt and the macaroni.  Cook, stirring a few times, until just tender but still quite firm, about 4 minutes.  Drain. Don’t cook beyond the 4 minutes, the al dente pasta will absorb the cheese sauce during baking.  I usually make the entire box on pasta and I end up using about two cups of the Al dente pasta, you can vary this depending on how cheesy you want yours.
  • Meanwhile, grease an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish (about 1 1/2 quarts) with 1 Tbs. of the butter and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Melt 2 Tbs. of the  butter in a heavy-bottomed saute pan or Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add the breadcrumbs and Parmigiano-Reggiano and stir well.  Spoon the mixture into a bowl and wipe out the pan.

      Toasted Panko and Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
  • In the same pan, melt the remining 3 Tbs. of butter over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.  Slowly whisk in the flour and stir until the mixture starts to color slightly and smell a bit nutty, about 3 minutes more.  Add the mustard, cayenne and nutmeg.  Stir well to incorporate.

      Onions Cooked with Flour and Seasoning Added
  • Gradually add the milk and cream.  Stir until it thickens enough to see streaks on the bottom of the pan.  Gradually add 1 1/2 cups of the cheddar and all of the Gruyere.  If using ham, bacon or lobster, add at this time. Stir until the mixture has the consistency of cake batter.

    Cheese Sauce
  • We added  cubed ham (2 Cups)to the cheese sauce to change it up a little.

    Cheese Sauce with Diced Ham
  • Add the reserved pasta, stir well, and pour into the baking dish.  Smooth to even and sprinkle with the remaining cheddar.  Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly on top.  Put the baking dish on a sheet pan and bake until bubbling and golden brown, about 30 minutes.  Let cool about 10 minutes before serving.

Cheese Layer Added

Toasted Panko & Cheese Topping

 

Finished Macaroni & Cheese, Ready to Eat!

Dig in!

At Dish To Remember, “We don’t eat to live, we live to eat!”

Serves 6