Haydari Recipe

Haydari is a Turkish yogurt sauce or dip that is made with fresh herbs and contains no cucumber or lemon juice. The base is a feta cheese and yogurt mixture instead of yogurt, making it thicker than Tzatziki or Cacik.

• Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Feta Cheese (preferably Bulgarian)
  • 1 cup Greek or Bulgarian plain yogurt
  • 2 tbsp  butter
  • 1 tbsp dried or fresh dill (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic, (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint leaves

• Directions

  1. In a small pan, melt butter over a medium heat. Add garlic. Cook until garlic is golden brown and set aside. Alternatively, you can add substitute garlic powder or pressed garlic.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, add the feta cheese and mash with a masher, fork, or hands until crumbled.
  3. Add the cooled garlic, dill, fresh mint, fresh dill, and salt to the mashed feta cheese. Combine well.
  4. Finally, add the yogurt and stir until fully combined.
  5. Cool in the refrigerator for about an hour set.
  6. Top with a drizzle of olive oil, fresh mint leaves, and a sprig of dill.

• Varsano Variations

  • Use Bulgarian sheep milk feta cheese
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon