Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Destination / Europe / Greece / How to make traditional Greek tzatziki

How to make traditional Greek tzatziki

November 10, 2017 by Gretta Schifano 3 Comments

Tzatziki, Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Tzatziki, Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

While I was at Costa Navarino I went along to a traditional Messinian cooking class in a local village house. A group of us learnt how to make various Greek dishes, and then had lunch together at a long wooden table which was weighed down with homemade bread, dishes of olives, Greek salad and other yummy things. The smiling Greek women who taught us seemed wise and lovely, and showed us very clearly what needed doing, although we had no common language.

Making Greek pasta at a Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Making Greek pasta at a Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Costa Navarino is a luxury resort in the southwest Peloponnese on the Greek mainland (you can read my full review of my stay here: The Westin Resort, Costa Navarino review). Guests at the resort are encouraged to discover local history, culture and customs through the various authentic experiences which make up the Messinian Authenticity program. Besides the cooking class, some of the other activities which guests can sign up for are olive harvesting, astronomy nights and shadow theatre shows, where traditional Messinian tales are told through shadow puppets. I took part in a Philosophy walk through olive groves while I was there – led by a philosophy professor, the aim of these walks is to talk and think about current issues, drawing on the wisdom of ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle (who apparently liked to walk as he taught and discussed things with his students).

Table ready for lunch at Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Table ready for lunch at Messinian cooking class, Costa Navarino. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The cooking class is led by women from the local community and takes place in a pretty stone house overlooking the bay of Navarino. I’m vegetarian, and my favourite thing that we made at the cooking class is tzatziki. It was so very easy to make and so very delicious to eat that I doubt that I will ever be able to buy it again. It was served in bowls for us to help ourselves from for lunch, and I found that it went very well with Greek salad, with roasted vegetables and with fish (I’ve been told that it goes well with meat dishes too). If you’d like to try it for yourself, here’s the recipe from the class.

Ingredients

  • 250g Greek yoghurt
  • 1 cucumber
  • 2 – 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 4 – 5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Grate a cucumber on the coarse side of a box grater, drain really well and squeeze out as much of the excess liquid as possible.
  2. Transfer the grated cucumber to a mixing bowl and mix it with the yoghurt, garlic, vinegar, salt and olive oil.
  3. Eat straight away, or refrigerate for later.

How to make traditional Greek tzatziki, according to locals in Messinia, Greece. Click through for the full recipe and instructions on how to make this classic mezze dish, from a Costa Navarino cookery class.

Verdict

I enjoyed the cooking class and the philosophy walk, and I really like the fact that Costa Navarino has this program of cultural experiences. The tzatzaki was delicious – do let me know if you try the recipe!

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Greece, Recipes
Tags: Costa Navarino, Messinia

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Anisha Pratap Panikar says

    April 28, 2020 at 11:32 am

    Hi Gretta,

    Thanks for sharing the recipe in such detailed manner.. Will surely try making this dish at home.

    Reply
  2. Britpakgirl says

    November 10, 2017 at 2:20 pm

    Glad to see my recipe is not too unauthentic! I will be using vinegar next time as I’ve never added that before, thanks x

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      November 10, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      You’re welcome – it does sound like a lot of vinegar, but that’s what the recipe says!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • 5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
    5-night itinerary for Northern Tunisia
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • 5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
    5 of the best: UK castles for family stays
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • 60 free things to do in London with a teenager
    60 free things to do in London with a teenager
  • 17 places to find the world of Harry Potter in London
    17 places to find the world of Harry Potter in London
  • Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote
    Jane Austen tour: the places where she lived and wrote

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: