Showing posts with label olive oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label olive oil. Show all posts

Friday, October 3, 2014

Yogurt Sauce with Cucumber & Dill aka Tarator

Tarator is more like a dip or a sauce used mostly during summer time as an appetizer. Each Balkan country has different way of making it with almost the same ingredients. In Albania is called Tarator, in Greece the name is Tzatziki and Cacik in Turkey. This recipe is smooth, refreshing and if you love yogurt as I do you are up for something very Mediterranean.

Level: Easy
Servings: 2

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups plain yogurt
  • 1 medium cucumber, unpeeled finely grated (the cucumber has to be seeded before grated)
  • 1 Tsp sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh dill chopped
  • 2 to 3 garlic cloves pressed or mashed
  • 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup cold water
Preparation:
In a bowl mix cucumbers, garlic, sea salt and 1 Tbs olive oil. Meanwhile in a separate bowl thin the yogurt with cold water not to thin but not to thick. Personally, I like it more on  the thicker side. At this point pour in the mixture from the first bowl and mix them all together. Serve in small bowls and drizzle 2 Tsp of olive oil. Lastly, garnish with fresh chopped dill. Put in the refrigerator for half an hour to an hour to chill. This can be paired with grilled fish or meats and vegetables. Enjoy!

Note: In the absence of cucumbers thick sliced fried zucchini can be used along with chopped fried or roasted red peppers with the skin peeled off. Also if you would like to use your own homemade yogurt you can find the recipe in my blog.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Pasta with Arugula & Garlic

I ran into this recipe looking for simple, easy and it had to include olive oil. I enjoy it every time I make it. This dish is very good and easy for entertaining. This is a recipe by Joy Hoy.

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound semolina or whole grain pasta
  • 4 tbs extra virgin  olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 pound baby arugula leaves
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • Manchego or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese freshly grated
Preparation:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook garlic for 1 minute. Add baby arugula leaves and toss until they are wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Meanwhile cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water salted until al dente. Drain pasta and toss with arugula in the skillet and season to taste with salt pepper and cheese.

Pairs well with Sauvignon  Blanc.