Cacık

Cacık is a classic Turkish yoghurt dish with cucumber, garlic and mint. It is served cold and is fresh, light and cooling. It goes well with grilled meat, bread or as a simple side dish with a Turkish meal.

Serves: 4
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 5 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 500 g full-fat yoghurt
• 1 cucumber
• 2 garlic cloves
• 100–150 ml cold water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried mint
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh mint leaves

Preparation

1. Grate the cucumber
   Coarsely grate the cucumber. There is no need to peel it.
2. Remove the moisture
   Put the grated cucumber in a sieve and press out the excess moisture.
3. Peel the garlic
   Peel the garlic.

Method

1. Crush the garlic
   Crush the garlic with a pinch of salt to a paste.
2. Stir the yoghurt until smooth
   Put the yoghurt in a bowl and stir until smooth with the cold water to a lightly liquid consistency.
3. Add the cucumber
   Add the garlic, grated cucumber and dried mint.
4. Season to taste
   Season to taste with salt and a pinch of black pepper.
5. Chill the cacık
   Put the cacık in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so that it becomes well chilled.
6. Stir briefly
   Stir briefly before serving.
7. Garnish
   Drizzle the olive oil over it and garnish with fresh mint leaves.