Turkish Garlic Yogurt Marinade Recipes

TURKISH GARLIC YOGURT MARINADE

Steps:

• Place the yogurt in a strainer lined with paper towels. Set the strainer over a large bowl and allow the yogurt to drain for 2 hours in the refrigerator. You can save the resulting whey for drinking. (If you're in a hurry, you can omit this step -- the marinade will be very nearly as rich.)
• Place the drained yogurt in a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. The marinade works best used within a few hours of making.
• 2 cups is enough to marinate 2 to 3 pounds of meat.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH YOGURT MARINADE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, garlic, oregano, thyme, olive oil, salt and pepper. Zest the lemon over the bowl, reserving the rest of the lemon for serving. Whisk until smooth.
• Add the chicken thighs, toss to coat, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or up to 24. Remove chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.
• If using a grill, clean and oil the grates. Set the grill to medium-high or heat a grill pan slicked with olive oil on the stovetop over medium-high. Grill the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes on each side (depending on the thickness of the thighs), covering the grill halfway through if necessary to retain heat, until cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken thighs to a platter and squeeze half the lemon over them. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and parsley, and serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

TURKISH GARLIC & YOGHURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Using the side of a kitchen knife, crush together the salt and garlic into a smooth paste. Combine with the yoghurt, olive oil and lemon juice. Add a Tablespoon of water to thin out the sauce a little.
• Tip into a serving bowl and add a couple of grinds of black pepper and a little drizzle of olive oil.

HAYDARI (TURKISH YOGURT DIP)

Steps:

• Line a colander with two layers of cheesecloth and place over a medium bowl. Place the yogurt on the cheesecloth and cover the colander with plastic wrap. Allow yogurt to drain 8 hours or overnight.
• Scoop the drained yogurt into a mixing bowl. Mash the garlic cloves with the salt into a fine paste; mix into the yogurt. Stir the dill, parsley, and cream cheese into the yogurt and garlic mixture. Spread onto a dish and garnish with the mint leaves to serve.

TURKISH MARINADE FOR CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl.
• Add chicken, cover & refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.
• Grill, broil or bake chicken as desired.

TURKISH-SPICED HALIBUT SKEWERS WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut halibut into large chunks of equal size and thread onto skewers. You should have 4 kebabs weighing about 6 ounces each. Lay them in a shallow dish. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
• In a mixing bowl, put cumin, coriander, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion, lemon, minced garlic and bay leaves. Add olive oil and stir together. Spoon mixture over fish skewers and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour.
• Put yogurt in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then add garlic paste, cayenne and cucumber. Mix mint, dill and parsley together, add half to yogurt mixture, and reserve the rest. Stir to combine. Set aside.
• Heat a grill or broiler. When it is hot, cook skewers for about 2 minutes per side, until just opaque. (Leave some lemon, onion and bay leaf clinging to fish, so they char a bit.) Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining herb mixture. Serve with yogurt sauce on the side.

GRILLED ZA'ATAR CHICKEN WITH GARLIC YOGURT AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• In a large bowl or container, stir together 5 of the grated garlic cloves, half the lemon zest, 1/3 cup yogurt, the cilantro, oil, za'atar, oregano or marjoram, salt and black pepper. Add chicken and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• When ready to cook, light the grill to medium or heat your broiler with the rack 3 inches from the heat source. Remove chicken from bowl, shaking off any excess marinade, and grill or broil on one side until charred in spots, 5 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and grill or broil for another 5 to 8 minutes, until just cooked through.
• While the chicken is cooking, place remaining 2/3 cup yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserve grated garlic clove and lemon zest, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cut one zested lemon in half and set aside for serving (save the other zested lemon for another use).
• To serve, place chicken on a serving platter and drizzle with olive oil and a large squeeze of the zested lemon. Top with cilantro and oregano or marjoram sprigs and serve with yogurt sauce.

TURKISH GRILLED TURKEY OR CHICKEN WITH TANGY HERBED YOGURT

Steps:

• Prepare the turkey:
• Using very sturdy kitchen scissors, cut on either side of the backbone and remove it. With the turkey or chicken skin side down and using a large sturdy knife, place the blade of the knife in the center of the breast bone, lengthwise. Using a meat mallet, firmly whack the knife to partially split the bone. Press the turkey or chicken to flatten slightly. Turn the turkey skin side up and press until flattened. Starting from the neck end, work your hands between the skin and flesh, being careful not to tear the skin. Work your hands as far down the legs as possible
• In a small bowl, combine the pepper flakes with all but 1 teaspoon of the garlic paste, the salt, pepper, coriander and 1/2 cup of the oil. Rub half of the mixture under the skin.
• Set the turkey on a work surface skin side up and tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders. Using 2 very long metal skewers, pierce the turkey crosswise diagonally, from drumstick through the opposite breast and through the wing forming a big X. Using the third skewer, pierce the turkey sideways through each breast. Rub the remaining paste all over the turkey or chicken and set it in a baking dish. Add the lemon halves, cover with plastic and refrigerate at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
• Make the Tangy Herbed Yogurt:
• In another small bowl, combine the yogurt with the chives, oregano and remaining 1 teaspoon garlic paste. Season with salt and pepper and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil.
• Light a grill and oil the grates. Grill over medium flame for about 1 3/4 to 2 hours, turning occasionally, until lightly charred in spots and an instant read thermometer inserted into the thigh nearest the joint registers 170°.
• Let the turkey or chicken rest for 20 minutes before slicing. Serve with the yogurt sauce and Tabbouleh.

GRILLED PEPPERS WITH GARLIC YOGURT

Steps:

• Grill peppers over coals, under a broiler or over a gas flame until blackened. Remove from heat and place in a bowl. Cover bowl and allow peppers to sit for 15 minutes.
• Skin peppers, cut in half and remove seeds and membranes, holding peppers over bowl to catch juices. Cut lengthwise into wide strips and place in a bowl. Strain juice into bowl with peppers and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a mortar and pestle, purée garlic with a generous pinch of salt. Stir into the yogurt. Add lemon juice.
• Arrange peppers on a platter or on individual plates. Spoon yogurt on top, drizzle on a little olive oil, garnish with chopped herbs if desired and serve.