​​​Rich texture, fresh and delicious; these are the three common aspects of yogurt-based mezzes. At every rakı table, there is always at least one yogurt-based mezze. They bring a cool, fresh taste to the table. Plus, they are very easy to make mostly. Amongst all those beloved mezzes, here are our favorite yogurt-based recipes. Try the ones you like, use the hashtag #TogetherAtRakıTable and Share with us​. Enjoy!

A Quick and Practical Rakı Table Classic: Haydari

The first meze we're sharing is one of the most popular rakı table mezzes. Haydari, is truly a mezze you can make in just a few minutes.Haydari Recipe

Ingredients:​

• 500gr yogurt

• 1/2 bunch of dill

• 2 cloves of garlic

• Salt

• 2 tsp mint

• Olive oil​

Watch the video below to see how it's made.​

A Rakı Table Favorite: Roasted Eggplants With Yogurt

If you like the combination of smoked taste and yogurt; Yoğurtlu Köz Patlıcan is the one for you. You can roast the eggplants either on grill or in the oven. Here are the ingredients and the method for this recipe.

Roasted Eggplants With Yogurt Recipe​

Ingredients:

• 3-4 eggplants

• A cup of yogurt

• 1 garlic head

​Method:

1. Make a few cuts in the eggplants and lay them in a tray, on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and put the eggplants in for 30 mins. If you prefer to do this on the grill, wrap the eggplants in foil too, before you lay them on grill.

2. Split the garlic head into two, drizzle some olive oil, wrap it in a baking sheet and foil. Put it in the oven or grill to cook.

3. When both are ready, take them out and peel them. Dice the burnt eggplants and mix with the garlic and yogurt. 

 Give This Traditional Mezze A Try: Carrot Tarator 

Carrot Tarator has been served in the meyhanes for such a long time. Just like making carrot salad, you start with grating the carrots. With just an additional step or two, it transforms into a delicious mezze.

Follow the easy steps we have described below and place this classic on the rakı table.

Carrot Tarator Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 carrots (large)

• 2 cloves of garlic

• A cup of yogurt

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 5-6 walnuts

• Salt​

Method:

1. Grate the carrots and put in a pan. Sauté them with some olive oil in medium hit until they soften for 2-3 mins. Then leave them to cool down.

2. Mix a cup of yogurt, the carrots, walnuts, olive oil, grated garlic cloves and salt.

3. Serve it with a drizzle of olive oil on top.

A Minty Delight: Kuru Cacık (Tzatziki)

As Turks we love cacık so much and have it as a side dish at almost every table. Now we're telling you the steps to turn it into a delicious mezze. How can we make a mezze from cacık? The answer is quite simple: with Kuru Cacık. The most important ingredient change is in yogurt. We're using süzme yogurt (as it has more consistency and texture). You can either grate or chop the cucumbers. The key factor in this recipe is making sure the yogurt isn't watered down. So if you choose to grate the cucumbers, you should squeeze out the excess water. We're pretty sure you will love kuru cacık too, as cacık is already everyone's favorite in the first bite. 

Kuru Cacık (Tzatziki) Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of yogurt

• 2-3 cucumbers (medium size)

• 3 cloves of garlic

• Fresh mint

• Parsley

• Olive oil

• Sumac (optional)

• Salt

Method:

1. Mix the yogurt, crushed garlic cloves, salt and 1 tbsp olive oil. 

2. Grate the cucumbers, chop the mint and mix it with the rest.

Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and sumac.

 Spicy But Fresh: Atom​

 In hot mezzes, yogurt is a great way to balance the taste. Atom takes the flavor of both yogurt and hot peppers and turns into a delicious mezze with this balance. You might be surprised when you make such a delicious mezze with a few ingredients and in a short time. Try this recipe, which is guaranteed to make the lovers of spicy food happy at the table.

 Atom Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3-4 dried red peppers 

• 3 tbsp butter

• 4 tbsp of yogurt

• 1-2 cloves of garlic

• Salt​

Method:

1. Soften the red peppers in boiling water for a minute. Then mix the peppers with butter. Sauté for a minute. 

2. Mix the yogurt, salt and crushed garlic cloves together.

3. Add the sautéed peppers on yogurt.​

A Light & Delicious Rakı Table Mezze: Celery With Yogurt

With this mezze made with celery in the season, you can prepare a delicious mezze that even those who do not like celery will love. Mayonnaise is a good thickener, but if you want it to be a little lighter, you can be sure that it will be very tasty without using mayonnaise.

Even if it's not a celery season, you can find celery stalks at the markets all year around. Then you can prepare this recipe by cutting the celery stalks very thinly.

Celery With Yogurt RecipeIngredients:

• 2 mid sized celeries

• A cup of yogurt

• 2tbsp of mayonnaise

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 cup crushed walnut

• Celery leafs (optional)

Method:

1. Peel the celeries and grate them in a large bowl. Rub some lemon to prevent them turn dark.

2. Mix the yogurt, salt, grated garlic and mayonnaise. 

3. Add the celeries into this mix.

4. Lastly, add the crushed walnut and mix well.

5. Serve it with some olive oil on top and celery leafs.

How To Pair Yogurt Based Mezzes With Yeni Rakı

For a rakı table where yogurt-based mezzes are the majority our rakı pick is Yeni Rakı Yeni Seri, which takes its smooth taste from the first aniseed harvest of the season. You can read more about Yeni Rakı Yeni Seri and other Yeni Rakı products from here. Once you decide which one to get, order your Yeni Rakı from these online shops.

Share, savor, enjoy!