Best Cucumber Sauce Recipes

TZATZIKI SAUCE-- GREEK CUCUMBER/YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel cucumbers and dice. Put them in a colander and sprinkle with the tablespoon of salt (draws water out). Cover with a plate and sit something heavy on top. Let sit for 30 minute Drain well and wipe dry with a paper towel.
• In food processor or blender, add cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, dill and/or mint, and a few grinds of black pepper. Process until well blended, then stir into yogurt. Taste before adding any extra salt, then salt if needed. Place in refrigerator for at least two hours before serving so flavors can blend.
• This will keep for a few days in the refrigerator, but you will need to drain off any water and stir each time you use it.
• ** If you can't find the thicker Greek Yogurt Cheese, you can use regular, plain yogurt that is either full fat or low fat. To thicken, spoon yogurt into cheese cloth that has been quadrupled. Draw the corners of the cloth up and tie together. Suspend above a bowl for 2 hours so that water can drip out. The consistency of the yogurt should be like that of sour cream.
• You can skip this draining process, if you want, but you will have a moderately messier, runnier result.

TZATZIKI SAUCE (YOGURT AND CUCUMBER DIP)

Steps:

• Line a colander with two layers of cheesecloth and place it over a medium bowl. Place the yogurt on the cheesecloth and cover the colander with plastic wrap. Allow yogurt to drain overnight.
• Lay grated cucumber on a plate lined with paper towel; allow to drain 1 to 2 hours.
• Combine the drained yogurt, cucumber, garlic, parsley, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

EASY GREEK YOGURT CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Stir together the yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, lemon juice, cucumber, green onion, garlic, feta cheese, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl; cover and chill 8 hours or overnight before serving.

TZATZIKI SAUCE -YOGURT AND CUCUMBER DIP

Steps:

• Line a colander with two layers of cheesecloth and place it over a bowl. Place yogurt on the cheesecloth and cover the colander with plastic wrap. Allow yogurt to drain, 8 hours to overnight.
• Place grated cucumber in a fine mesh strainer; allow to drain 1 to 2 hours.
• Mix yogurt, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Refrigerate for flavors to blend, at least 2 hours.

SALMON WITH CUCUMBER DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the first five ingredients; add salmon. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cucumber sauce ingredients. Cover and refrigerate until serving., Drain and discard marinade. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Place salmon skin side down on grill rack. , Grill, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with cucumber sauce.

GREEK LAMB-FETA BURGERS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Set 4 whole garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium-high heat; toast until spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Peel, mince and set aside.
• Break up lamb in a medium bowl. Sprinkle roasted garlic, feta, oregano, salt and pepper over meat; stir with a fork to combine. Divide into 4 portions. Toss meat back and forth between cupped hands to form a ball. Pat with fingertips to flatten to about 4 inches wide. Refrigerate.
• Mix cucumber, sour cream, mint, vinegar, 1 minced clove of garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl. Refrigerate sauce until ready to serve.
• Build a hot fire on one side of grill. Replace rack. When coals are covered with white ash, add burgers. Cover and cook, turning only once, until done, about 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium to medium-well burgers.
• Grill pitas until spotty brown and warm, a minute or so per side. Split crosswise. Spread a couple of tablespoons of sauce over 4 pita halves. Top each with an onion slice, a tomato slice and a burger. Spread a portion of the remaining sauce over each burger. Top with remaining pita halves.

WARM GREEK PITA SANDWICHES WITH TURKEY AND CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to 300 degrees.
• In a small bowl, mix sour cream, yogurt, cucumber, vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• Place pitas in oven; bake until warm and pliable, 7 minutes. Cut in half. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Carefully add onion; saute until spotty brown but still crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Add turkey, oregano and remaining minced garlic; continue to saute until heated through, another 2 minutes.
• Serve, letting guests fill their own pitas with lettuce first, followed by turkey, tomatoes and cucumber sauce.

SALMON WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• For sauce, in a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Broil salmon 4-6 in. from the heat for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve with cucumber sauce.

CUCUMBER GYRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the sour cream, cucumber, garlic, dill, mustard, and garlic powder in a bowl; stir to combine. Chill in refrigerator at least one hour before serving.

EASY BAKED FALAFEL WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Coat a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with cooking spray and 1 tablespoon olive oil and place inside the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). C
• Combine chickpeas, onion, cilantro, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, cumin, salt, red pepper flakes, and baking powder in a food processor. Pulse until minced but not yet pasty. Transfer to a bowl and stir in flour and egg until fully incorporated.
• Remove baking pan from the oven. Drop golfball-sized portions of chickpea mixture onto the hot pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven 15 to 20 minutes. Brush falafel with remaining olive oil and flip over. Continue baking until golden on both sides, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, combine yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• Serve falafel with yogurt sauce.

SALMON WITH CUCUMBER-DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Reduce to low, add salmon. Simmer 8 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• While salmon cooks, combine yogurt, cucumber, dillweed, and salt; stir well.
• Gently transfer salmon to a serving platter, using two spatulas; spoon cucumber sauce evenly over salmon.

CHICKEN SHAWARMA WITH TOMATO CUCUMBER RELISH AND TAHINI SAUCE

Steps:

• For the shawarma: Mix the cumin, paprika, allspice, chili powder and garlic together. Place the chicken inside a resealable plastic bag with the olive oil. Add the spice mixture and rub in until fully incorporated. Seal that bag and place it into the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• After marinating, use the skewers to pierce the pieces of chicken through the center. Slide the pieces down leaving enough room for you to hold the skewer, about 3 pieces of chicken per skewer. Continue this process until chicken is all skewered. Sprinkle with salt and place on a hot oiled grill top for 4 minutes per side, or 8 minutes total.
• For the relish: Mix the oil, vinegar, oregano, tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, lemon juice, onion, parsley and some salt and pepper.
• For the tahini sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the tahini paste, olive oil, lemon juice and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt.
• To serve, fill the pitas with the grilled chicken and serve with the cucumber relish and tahini sauce.

CHICKEN SATAY WITH SPICY PEANUT SAUCE AND CUCUMBER RELISH

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine all the marinade ingredients except the chicken. Slice the chicken into long, thin strips, about 3 inches long by 1 inch wide, and add to marinade. Turn chicken to coat, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours.
• Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: Bring the coconut milk to a simmer in a small saucepan. Whisk in curry paste until dissolved, about 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in peanut butter, stock and sugar, reduce heat and cook until smooth, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add tamarind juice and salt. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
• Prepare relish: Place cucumber, shallot, and chili slices in a small bowl. Heat the vinegar, sugar and salt in a small saucepan, stirring, until mixture reaches a boil and sugar is dissolved, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat, cool to room temperature, and then pour over cucumber mixture. Garnish with cilantro leaves and set aside.
• Prepare grill and thread marinated chicken onto soaked bamboo skewers. Place on grill and cook 5 to 7 minutes, or until cooked through, turning once. Serve with peanut sauce and cucumber relish.

POACHED SALMON WITH CUCUMBER-DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• For the salmon: Combine the wine, water, bouillon, peppercorns, dillweed, bay leaves, celery, and lemon in a skillet. Bring to a boil; cover.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the salmon to the mixture in the skillet and cook for 10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.
• To prepare Cucumber-Dill Sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the cucumber, sour cream, yogurt, dill, and mustard.
• To serve: place the fillets on individual serving plates. Spoon the sauce evenly over the fillets. Garnish with fresh dill sprigs, if using.

GRILLED SWORDFISH STEAKS WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Stir the cucumber, sour cream, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl until combined. Season to taste with salt, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the chili sauce, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes to blend the flavors. Season with black pepper, and remove from the heat.
• Brush the swordfish steaks on all sides with the 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Cook on the preheated grill until the fish is no longer translucent in the center, and easily flakes with a fork, about 3 minutes per side. Baste with the chili sauce while grilling. Serve the swordfish with lemon slices and the cucumber sauce.

SEAN'S FALAFEL AND CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
• In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
• Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. Serve two falafels in each pita half topped with chopped tomatoes and cucumber sauce.

SPICED BEEF KABOBS WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: Grate the cucumber over a strainer and squeeze out the water. Transfer the grated cucumber to a medium bowl along with the mint, yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Mix to combine, using a rubber spatula. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• For the kebobs: In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest, salt, cumin, garam masala and cayenne. Add the cubed sirloin and mix to coat evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate at room temperature for about 20 minutes.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.
• Beginning with the meat, thread one cube of sirloin onto a skewer, followed by a tomato, another piece of meat, a piece of onion, another piece of meat and finishing with a tomato and an onion. Continue like this until all the skewers are assembled. Sprinkle the kebobs on all sides with salt, then place on the preheated grill and cook for three minutes per side for medium doneness. Serve warm with the cucumber-yogurt sauce.

CUCUMBER SAUCE FOR GYROS

Steps:

• Put the cucumber into a colander and sprinkle with a little salt.
• Let rest for 10-15 minutes to allow extra juices to escape the cucumber.
• Gently squeeze the cucumber in a paper or cloth towel.
• Put everything a bowl and mix well (I don't rinse the cucumber).
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Refrigerate for a couple of hours prior to using (if you have time).
• A turn or two in the food processor would yield a nice smooth sauce.
• Good on anything, especially Gyros.

SPICY CALAMARI AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH SPICED YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• For the spicy calamari and cucumber salad: Add the soy sauce, vinegar, honey, chili paste, garlic and ginger to a bowl and whisk to combine. Season with salt if needed. Divide the marinade between 2 medium bowls. Add the calamari to one of the bowls and the cucumbers to the other. Stir so that the calamari and cucumbers are fully coated in the marinade. Let marinate at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the calamari from the marinade and pat dry. Grill the calamari in batches until charred and tender, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and slice the tubes into 1/2-inch rings. Add the rings and whole tentacles to the bowl with the cucumbers and toss to combine.
• For the spiced yogurt sauce: Whisk together the yogurt, chopped cilantro, coriander, garlic, caraway seeds, sumac, paprika and 1 teaspoon salt. The sauce can be made up to 1 day in advance and kept refrigerated.
• To serve: Spread some of the yogurt sauce onto a shallow dish. Use a spoon to create a well in the center of the sauce so that the sides of the sauce are about 1/2-inch high. Add the marinated cucumbers and grilled calamari into the well. Garnish with cilantro leaves and black sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

GREEK CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine and refrigerate overnight for flavors to mix. Cucumber will leak liquid, so if it appears dry at first, it is expected.
• Provides per serving: 63 calories, 0 g saturated fat, 1 g monounsaturated fat, 0 g polyunsaturated fat, 4 g of carbohydrate, 0 g of fiber, 8 g of protein, and 36 milligrams of sodium.