Count down to the 4th! Citrus Chive Tzatziki and Beet Chips

Summer’s best holiday is only days away! BBQ, parades, cold beer, sparklers, family, friends and fireworks – sounds like my ideal way to spend a summer day. Whatever your plans may be this 4^th of July I hope they will involve lots of delicious food!

Whether you’re hosting friends or family for a celebratory feast or are traveling somewhere for festivities, no 4^th of July party is more complete without some tantalizing appetizers. I’m counting down to Independence Day with a Dip a Day.

There’s nothing more refreshing than a cool, citrus infused tzatziki sauce at the beginning of July! This recipe uses non-fat yogurt and takes a slight turn from the traditional recipe by using a combination of lemon and limes.  Plus, with this quick preparation you’ll be sipping on a cocktail and relaxing in no time.

Citrus Chive Tzatziki

1 cup non-fat plain yogurt (I prefer European style)

4 heaping tbsp finely diced chives, divided

4 cloves crushed garlic

1 tsp lime zest

1 tsp lemon zest

2 tbsp lemon juice

Kosher salt and pepper

  

European style yogurt works better for this dip than thicker varieties, like Greek yogurt, which is strained multiple times for a more dense texture.  Strauss or Emmi brand yogurts are made in the European style. Trader Joe’s also carries a European style yogurt.

In a medium bowl, mix yogurt, garlic, 3 tbsp chives, lime and lemon zest.  Using a whisk slowly add lemon juice until sauce is smooth. Chill for at least 1 hour. Before serving, top with remaining 1 tbsp chives.  Pair this dip with crispy beet chips for a colorful, healthy and tasty dipping device.

Beet Chips

4 golden beets, peeled and ends removed

4 red beets, peeled and end removed

2 tbsp olive oil

Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Using a mandolin, or very sharp and heavy knife, slice beets to 1/16^th of an inch thick. I always wear plastic gloves when working with beets to avoid staining my hands. Gloves made for salon use (i.e. the kind a stylist wears while dying hair) tend to work the best since they’re a little thicker and fit more snug than normal plastic gloves. Most beauty supply shops carry salon use gloves. You can always use dishwashing gloves in a pinch, but I feel that you lose some nimbleness in your fingers since they have a looser fit. However, being caught red-handed with these tasty beet chips does make you one of the more popular party guests J

Toss beets, olive oil and salt in a large metal bowl until the beets are thoroughly coated with olive oil. If you like to keep your golden beets golden, I suggest mixing the red and golden beets in separate bowls with 1 tbsp of the olive oil for each bowl. This will preserve the nice sunshine color of the golden beets. But mixing the two varieties together can be fun, too. You usually end up getting a pink-yellow tie-dye effect.

Spread beets in a thin layer on two large cookie sheets and bake for 15-20 minutes. Check beets at about 12 minutes to see if any thinner or smaller slices need to be removed a bit early. Beets should be lightly browned on the edges and slightly crispy. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate and cool. The beet chips will continue to become crispier as they cool.

Enjoy your patriotic chips alone, or with your tzatziki sauce!