Here’s The Dill…
One of my favorite things about food is the wide variety of FLAVOR you can have within similar dishes. For instance, chicken can be flavored to fit Mexican cuisine, Mediterranean dishes, or even Indian dishes. The chicken doesn’t change, it is the use of different herbs and spices in each dish that change everything!
Dried/bottled spices I usually feel fairly confident in experimenting with when I cook. They are easy to keep on hand and are usually pretty shelf stable. When it comes to fresh herbs, I sometimes don’t feel as confident and don’t always have them on hand. A few recipes I tried throughout the spring called for fresh dill. I discovered I LOVE dill and made it a priority to have it on hand. This summer I experimented with growing my own dill. So far, so good!
I have used dill in a variety of dishes like salads, dips, meat marinades, etc. I am going to share two of the recipes that I have enjoyed most… dill tzatziki sauce (hold the cucumber) and dill tuna salad.
Traditional tzatziki sauce typically has cucumber in it. One night I was making the sauce and realized my cucumbers had gone bad… I made it without cucumbers and to my surprise liked it better, so now it’s how I always make it! This dip/sauce will keep in the fridge for several days. It is great as a veggie dip, with pita chips or crackers or even as a topping on Greek chicken pitas.
Dill Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients
10 oz plain Greek yogurt (I prefer full fat Greek yogurt for richer flavor)
2-3 Tbs fresh dill, chopped
2 Tbs olive oil\
1.5 tsp red wine vinegar (can be modified depending on flavor preference)
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt to taste
Directions
In a resealable container combine all ingredients together and mix well. Taste to make sure the flavor is as desired.
Cover and put in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor! Enjoy!
Dill Tuna Salad (single portion)
Ingredients (no exact science)
1 can Tuna (4 oz), drained
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (may desire more or less depending on desired consistency)
2 Tbs fresh dill, chopped
3 petite dill pickles, chopped
1 hard-boiled egg, diced
1 stalk of celery, diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a bowl mix all ingredients until well combined. Adjust flavors and consistency as desired.
Serve on your favorite bread, crackers, butter lettuce, etc.
What are your favorite recipes showcasing fresh herbs? Let me know!