Tzatziki

Tzatziki

2 cups Greek yogurt

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil - (extra virgin)

1 Teaspoon fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar (I prefer lemon juice)

2-3 crushed garlic cloves - I like to use the microplane - just be sure to finely crush or mince

1/2 english cucumber grated, no need to peel

1/4 teaspoon salt

Squeeze water out of cucumber - 

Place all ingredients in bowl and mix.  Chill 2-3  hours if possible.

Optional - some like to add dill or mint - 1 1/2 teaspoon

Baklava Bites

Baklava Bites

 2 Packages mini filo cups - 

1 cup honey

1/4 cup Water

1 cup shelled pistachios

3 Tablespoons sugar 

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1 Tablespoon melted butter

optional - add lemon zest to nuts 

used other nuts or combo of nuts - pistachios, walnuts, almonds

Heat oven to 350ºF. Place fillo shells on rimmed baking sheet. Stir honey and lemon juice in small cup until blended; set aside.

Pulse pistachios, sugar, cinnamon and cloves in food processor just until chopped. Add melted butter; pulse just to distribute.

Spoon a rounded teaspoonful into each shell. Bake 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.

 While the cups are baking, make the honey syrup. Bring the honey and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the mixture has reduced and thickened.

Spoon about 1 tsp honey mixture over hot filling. Cool on baking sheet on wire rack.  Add a second teaspoon of honey mixture to each cup if they look dry or if you want it very syrupy