Mast O’Khiar (Persian Yogurt and Cucumber Dip)

Step 1

Grate the cucumber. Using a box grater, coarsely grate the cucumber. Then, either using your hands or a muslin cloth, squeeze the juice out of the grated cucumber until you have squeezed most of the liquid out.

Step 2

Mix with the Greek yogurt. Add the grated cucumber to 3 cups of Greek yogurt in a mixing bowl.

Step 3

Season and chill. Add the garlic, dried mint, lime juice, olive oil, and a good pinch (about 1/2 tablespoon each) salt and pepper. Stir until evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 4

Garnish and Serve. Remove the yogurt mixture from the fridge, stir, and spoon it into a serving dish, spreading it into an even layer using the back of the spoon. Sprinkle with dried mint and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with fluffy pita for dipping, if you like.