FitSugar

The Basics: Tzatziki

Katie Sweeney — Mon, 23 May 2011 04:06:21 PDT

Since attending a lunch that celebrated Greek wines, I can't stop thinking about Greek cuisine. My favorite Greek condiment is tzatziki, a cooling sauce that's served with grilled meat, souvlaki, and gyros. It's made with Greek yogurt that's been strained, so it has a super thick texture. I use Ina Garten's recipe, but I add a bunch of chopped mint to it. The most important ingredients are the yogurt and cucumbers, otherwise, you can add whatever herbs you have on hand, parsley works well as does dill and basil. Check out the method after the break.

Fast & Easy Dinner: Beef and Bulgur Falafel

partysugar — Tue, 11 May 2010 10:15:42 PDT

Traditionally, a falafel is a fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that's served in a pita with an assortment of toppings. This recipe isn't exactly a falafel, it's more like a healthy burger inspired by the Middle Eastern specialty.

The slider-sized patties are a mixture of ground beef, bulgur wheat, and spices. The recipe calls for a quick yogurt sauce, yellow peppers, and cabbage to top off the pitas, but feel free to get creative. Feta cheese and tomatoes would be delicious. Get the uncomplicated and satisfying recipe when you

Definition: Tzatziki

partysugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:15:00 PDT

Tzatziki
A type of Greek condiment that is served as a dipping sauce. It usually consists of yogurt, diced cucumbers and garlic. It can also include olive oil and fresh herbs depending on its region of Greek origin.

Source

Greece's Hidden Secret: FAGE Yogurt

FitSugar — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 14:05:57 PST

I love yogurt but for me there are very few yogurts that stand out among the pack.

That is why I was totally blown away when I tried, FAGE Total Yogurt (pronounced: Fa'-yeh!). FAGE Total is "Greek yogurt" that is truly Greek -- You can tell by the signature rich and thick velvety texture. It gets the great texture with the unique straining and separating process of the whey from the yogurt. The process also makes the product a suitable cooking ingredient as it does not curdle at high temperatures. What's more? All the FAGE yogurts contain Live & Active Cultures.

The taste is unbeatable and the texture is downright amazing. For me, nothing is worse than eating super runny yogurt. The FAGE Total 0% has 80 calories and zero grams of fat and unlike most fat free yogurts, it actually tastes really, really good.

I used it to make my most recent batch of Tzatziki and it was the best yet! Look for it in boutique and health food grocery stores. For more info, visit the FAGE Website.

Snack Attack: Tzatziki, No Longer Greek to Me

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 08:53:45 PST

I recently spent some time in Greece and I literally lived on Tzatziki and pita the entire time I was there.

Convinced it was going to keep the memories alive at home, I have been making a healthier version of this tasty Greek style dip.

Ingredients:

2 cups of non-fat yogurt
2 large cucumbers
2 tablespoons minced garlic (or 2 garlic cloves)
10 fresh mint leaves
A handful of dill (or if you're like me and don't like dill you can leave this step out)

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until mixed well. You can decide how chunky you want it to be but it should be close to the consistency of ranch dressing (with cucumber bits mixed in). Store in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until ready to serve. Serve with veggies and whole wheat pita, or pita chips.

Why we love it:
Yogurt is a great source of calcium. Try to get organic and Live & Active cultured yogurt to really reap the health benefits.
Cucumbers are very low in calories as well as a great way to help cleanse your insides.
Garlic can fight a common cold (and cough) and could also be effective in the fight against cholesterol.
Mint is great for soothing an upset stomach, it opens airways to help breathing and is a good source of Vitamin C (for an herb at least).

Fit's Tip: This is a great snack to serve if you will be entertaining guests because it can be prepared in advance.

Sunday BBQ: Shrimp Skewers With Spinach and Feta

YumSugar — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 06:30:01 PDT

After overconsuming steak and burgers over the weekend, I'm ready to redeclare my devotion to Summer seafood. I love to serve shrimp and pineapple kebabs, but tonight I'm going to try something different: Greek-style barbecued shrimp skewers, marinated with licorice-tinged aniseed, then strewn over a spinach salad with feta cheese and tzatziki, a creamy yogurt, cucumber, and dill sauce. For a different kind of seafood grill-out, read more.

Get Him to the Greek: A Food Guide

Lizzie Fuhr — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:30:13 PDT

Ancient Greek culture is the cornerstone of Western civilization. Not only is it home to some of mankind's most influential philosophers and artists, but it's also given birth to some of the most delicious food on the planet. Making use of fresh ingredients, age-old tradition, and fragrant spices, Greek flavors pack a powerful punch of Mediterranean flair to restaurants all over the world. Continue reading to get to know a few staples of Greek cuisine.

A FitSugar Reader Recipe: Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

OnSugar Blog — Sat, 28 May 2011 04:37:15 PDT

Looking for a healthy burger recipe this Memorial Day? Take a nod from the OnSugar blog Sophie's Sweeties and make these Mediterranean-inspired turkey burgers.

Lighter turkey burgers? Is that an oxymoron? Believe it or not, store bought turkey burgers are not always as lean as they appear. This recipe, however, leaves out all the mystery ingredients and uses only the basics to make a delicious and satisfying turkey burger.

Keep reading to see the recipe!

Sugar Shout Out: Learn to Cha-Cha From DWTS Pro Mark Ballas!

PopSugar — Mon, 23 May 2011 23:55:00 PDT

In Season: Cucumbers

Susannah Chen — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:07:29 PDT

It's hard to imagine given their proliferation at supermarkets across the country, but cucumbers actually do have a season, and it's right now. These beautiful green fruits - yes, they're fruits, not vegetables! - belong to the same family as melon and squash, and they're at their peak growing time from early Summer to early Fall.

At the market, look for cucumbers that are firm, vividly colored, and absent of wrinkles, bruises, or discoloration. Store them in a warmer corner of the refrigerator (you don't want them to freeze!) and use them within two to three days. If you want to enjoy them with their skins still on, select thinner-skinned varieties like Kirby, Persian, Japanese, or English cucumbers. If you find a cucumber's skin too thick, waxy, or bitter, simply peel it off.

Read ahead for a few of our favorite ways to enjoy the cucumber.