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Cacik has a million different uses. Use as a dip for kebabs, pita dip, or eat it alone. It has the most fabulous flavor!  Very similar to Tzatziki.  Here you can see it on with my Yogurt Marinated Shish Kebabs.

Yogurt Marinated Shish Kebabs with Turkish Rice Pilaf and Bell Pepper Tomato Salad

Cacik, serves 4, cost 47 cents.

  • 1 cucumber, peeled and grated or finely chopped
  • 4 ounces Greek yogurt
  • 1 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh mint
  • salt
  • olive oil (optional)

In a mixing bowl, combine cucumbers and garlic. (Don’t add any cucumber juices to the bowl. Add salt to taste.

Mix in yogurt – best when refrigerated for an hour.

Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with mint and drizzle olive oil on top. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

If you don’t have Greek yogurt, strain your plain yogurt in a cloth or paper towel lined strainer eight hours or overnight.

Money and Time Saving Strategies:

For pricing, remember to use your coupon matching sites for your local stores.  My favorite is Pocket Your Dollars in my area, but every store has a group of enthusiastic couponers who can point you to the best bargains.  Don’t be discouraged if your prices are higher at first – just keep shopping the best sales and follow the strategies and you’ll get there!  Check under Saving on Basic Ingredients for more detailed information and storage hints – use <control f> to search each page to bring you to the item you want to check out.

  • Cucumber:  Look for the best sale, by the item or by the pound.  If buying by the item, look for the largest ones.  I’ve started throwing my (very clean) cucumber peels in a large glass of water and lettting it soak overnight – refreshing on a hot summer day.  Cost for my cucumber - 25 cents.
  • Yogurt:  I’m particular, but I do buy the Greek yogurt by Dannon, with coupons.  (If I don’t have coupons, I’ll buy a large container of the healthiest looking plain yogurt I can find – I use it in cooking and or eating.  If I want it flavored, I’ll add a teaspoon of jam or some fresh fruit.)  I often find it for no cost on the days my store doubles their coupons – cost for this recipe:  20 cents.
  • Garlic:  Runs around 59 to 99 cents a head in my area in the boxes.  It can be a little tricky to discern the best prices because it can also be bought by the pound, and generally you’ll pay less this way.  Cost 2 cents

Nutrition:  serving size 1 1/2 tablespoons.  Cal:  25.07 cal fr fat 4.72; tot fat .54g; sat fat .31g; chol 1.82g; sod 22.34g; tot carb 3.24g; fib .29g; sug 2.7g; prot 1.88g

Put your Own Spin on It:

  • Add dill, parsley, lemon or a dash or red wine vinegar.

Cacik, Cucumber Yogurt sauce, made May 2012

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