Tzatziki and Spread recipes

Tzatziki or tarator is a dip or souce  found in the cuisine of SOUTH EUROPE and MIDDLE EAST It is made of strained yogurt mixed with cucumber,salt,oliveoil,garlic,mint,dill,parsley sometimes lemon juice.It is served cold and as side dish.In India it is made with curd,cucumber,salt,roasted cumin powder,called as RAITA.In Greece tzatziki sauce is served as MEZE small plate platter.
In Turkey,named as CACIK,combining water and yogurt,adding garlic and different combinations of fresh vegetables and herbs.
Bulgarian Tarator is served as cold soup in summer.Yogurt,cucumber,garlic,walnut,dill are ingredients.It s served chilled with ice.
A thicker variation is known as DRY TARATOR, known as SNOW WHITE SALAD,served as appetizer or side dish.In Iraq, it served with drink made from Dates.In Iran,bread chips,raisins, chopped nuts are put in the dish just before serving.Tzatziki is seved across the Mediterranean and Middle east under different names and forms.

TZATZIKI
Serves 1 cup
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup greek Yogurt, available in super markets
1 cup grated cucumber,no need to peel
1 tbsp. olive oil
Few chopped mint leaves/dill
1 garlic cloves minced
salt to taste
1 tsp lemon juice

Step.
Grate cucumber and squeeze between your palms.
Transfer the squeezed cucumber in a bowl.
Add the Yogurt.,olive oil,lemon juice,garlic and salt.
Stir well.add chopped mint/dill.
Keep aside for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
It tastes better after refrigerate overnight.
Served chilled with pita bread for dipping.
Use as a spread for sandwiches.

EASY GARLIC CHEESE is perfect spread on toast,crackers,.
INGREDIENTS
200gm cream cheese
1 1/2 cloves of grlic crushed and pressed
1/2 tsp fresh chopped thyme
1/4 tsp chopped basil
1/4 tsp dried parsley
salt and pepper powder to taste.

step
In a mixing bowl mix cream cheese, garlic,herbs,and salt and pepper powder
Whip with hand or use hand mixer on low speed.
Cover and place in fridge for at least 20 minutes.
Enjoy on toast ,with crackers,khakhra.
Store in a airtight container.

LEMON AND ROSEMARY SPREAD
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup cream cheese softened
1 cup feta cheese crumbled
3 tbsp fresh finely chopped rosemary
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove chopped
salt and pepper powder

Method
In a mixiging bowl mix together cream cheese,feta,rosemary,lemon juice,garlic .
Combined well.add salt ad pepper powder and refrigerate.
Serve with veggies,crackers,pita bread,

GARLIC AIOLI  Aioli means garlic and oil,Mediterranean sauce.
One type of sauce,served with grilled vegetables,boiled green beans,roasted aubergine.
INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 garlic cloves crused in  mortar and pestle.
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper powder

Step
Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl .
Stir and mix until evenly mixed.
Cover with lid and refrigerate for atleast 1 hour to blend flavors.
Last for 3 to 4 days.
Spread on sandwiches,burgers,

CINNAMON BUTTER.Cinnamon butter goes on everything.
This butter can be refrigerated for 15 days.It is glutten free.
Perfect for pancakes,toast,bread,biscuits .
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup salted butter
1/4 cup liquid honey
        or
 4 tbsp sugar
 even mixture of sugar and honey.
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Step
In a bowl beat butter,honey,sugar and cinnamon until smooth.
Add salt and again beat until smooth.
At this stage taste,honey and cinnamon and adjust these ingredients.
Serve with bread,buns,muffins.
Store in refrigerat.

SPINCH AND DILL  SPREADS
INGREDIENTS
3/4cup spinach chopped and cooked
1 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup Feta crumbled
2 garlic cloves minced
3 green onion chopped
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fesh dill
1 tbsp lemon juice

Step
Heat olive oil and add garlic,green onion,and spinach. Keep medium flame.
Cook and stir continuously.
Once cooked properly, remove from the flame and drain excess liquid.
Place it in a large mixing bowl.
Add remaining ingredients.Mix until blend well.
Allow to chill in refrigerator.
Enjoy with breads,veggies and crackers.