Mediterranean Meal + Quick Tzatziki Recipe

Many people know that a Mediterranean diet* has heart health benefits. But it is also very tasty and can be very simple to make.
Some of my friends and I decided to to get together and make ourselves a healthy Mediterranean-inspired lunch:
As soon as we decided to make turkey pita sandwiches, I thought that the sauce they put on gyros would be a nice addition (and healthier option than mayo). As I started Googling recipes, two things became apparent: this sauce is called Tzatziki (Phonetic Pronunciation: tsah-ZEE-kee) and that it is made out of cucumbers (eek!). Side note: I really don't like cucumbers but love their cousin the pickle. So I decided that even though I didn't quite know how to call it and it was made with cucumbers, I would be adventurous and make it anyway. It definitely paid off!!!! 
* Meaning: food that is habitually eaten

Tzatziki Sauce+
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
WeightWatchers PointsPlus: 2 per serving

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups plain no fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 lb Persian or English cucumbers, peeled and seeded (2 pretty good sized ones)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh or dried dill 
  • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • Dash of ground ginger

Equipment:

  • Blender or Food processor 
  • Chefs knife
  • Cutting board
  • Mixing bowl
  • Paper towels
Directions:
  • Place greek yogurt on a sheet of paper towel that is placed on top of a small bowl or cup.
  • When paper towel has absorbed as much a possible, transferred yogurt to new sheet of paper towel. Repeat until yogurt holds together in a ball.
  • Transfer yogurt to mixing bowl.
  • Dice up the cucumbers.
  • Peel and crush clove of garlic.
  • Put cucumbers and garlic into blender (or food processor). And blend until cucumber and garlic are finely chopped.
  • Drain the liquid off of cucumber mixture.
  • Scoop mixture into a doubled or triple sheet of paper towel and squeeze out excess moisture.
  • Add cucumber mixture to yogurt.
  • Mix in oil, lemon juice, dill, salt and ginger (add more or less of these ingredients to produce the desired taste and texture).
  • Chill and Enjoy!
+Tzatziki sauce can also be used as dip or salad dressing

Deli-Style Turkey Gyros
Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
  • 4 whole wheat pitas
  • 1 lb deli sliced smoked turkey (any flavor)
  • 2 cup of uncooked spinach
  • 4 oz crumbled feta cheese 
  • 1 cup Tzatziki sauce
Directions:
  • Cut pita breads in half (so each piece is a semi-circle)
  • Use a knife to make a pocket in each half (see picture above)
  • Spread some Tzatziki sauce in each pocket
  • Stuff each pocket with equal amounts of turkey and spinach
  • Sprinkle in some feta cheese
  • Enjoy!



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