Skordalia (Garlic Dip)

Skordalia is a dip made by combining crushed garlic and mashed potatoes or stale bread (soaked in water) and nuts, and then olive oil is added to make a smooth emulsion.  

The traditional way is to crash the garlic together with salt in a mortar and pestle but nowadays some people make it in a food processor or blender.

Αs we read in Wikipedia, skordalia is a pleonastic compound of the Greek word skordo (meaning garlic) and the Italian agliata (meaning garlicky).

In the Ionian islands which were under Venetian rule for many years they call it aliada. Skordalia may be the modern equivalent of ancient skorthalmi.

Traditionally it is served with Bakaliaros (salted codfish) a battered-fried fish, especially during the great Lent period when abstaining from meat, fish and dairy products for fifty days we are allowed to eat fish on Annunciation Day (25^th March) and on Palm Sunday (which is the last Sunday before Easter).

Skordalia can also be served with fried vegetables, such as eggplant and zucchini but apart from fish it goes well with roasted meat as well.

Many years ago, I used to hate garlic and of course I did not eat skordalia or anything with garlic in it.  Once, when my husband and I were invited to a friend’s house for dinner, among other things she prepared skordalia.  I kindly said I did not want any but she insisted that I tried it.  I did not want to insult her so I tried some of her skordalia, which she had made with walnuts and I must say, I am really glad she insisted because I loved it!!

Ever since, I make her skordalia, which is my favourite.

However, my husband prefers his with potatoes, so each time I always make both of them so that we both enjoy it.

Skordalia with Potatoes

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:  30 minutes

Makes: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 3 potatoes boiled, preferably with skin on
• 2 – 3 cloves of garlic, depending on how strong you like it
• ½ tsp salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1/4 cup wine vinegar or lemon juice

Directions:

1. In a food processor or a blender, puree garlic with 1/3rd of the olive oil or use a pestle and mortar and puree the garlic with the salt (without the olive oil).
2. Boil the potatoes until soft.  Remove from the pot and under running tap water peel them.
3. Transfer them to a bowl and mash them with a fork or a potato masher.  They do not need to be completely pureed.
4. Add the olive oil while the potatoes are still warm, the garlic puree and salt, if using the first method, or garlic paste, pepper and mix well.  Add vinegar or lemon juice gradually, taste and adjust.
5. Set aside to cool.
6. Serve at room temperature.

Note:

The garlic flavour will become stronger as it cools.

If you do not like garlic, use roasted garlic instead, for a milder taste.

Before serving drizzle some more olive oil on top and decorate with an olive or finely chopped parsley or finely chopped spring onion.

Skordalia with Bread and Walnuts (Garlic Dip)

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time:  30 minutes

Makes: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of stale bread (without the crust) after being soaked and water squeezed out
• 1 cup of walnuts
• 3 – 4 cloves of garlic
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup of wine vinegar
• or substitute first 2 ingredients with 2 medium potatoes boiled and mashed

Directions:

1. In a food processor or a blender, puree garlic, salt and 1/3rd of olive oil.
2. Add vinegar and walnuts, keeping 2 tablespoons for the end.
3. Gradually add olive oil and bread (or potatoes) and continue until you attain the consistency of a thick sauce.
4. Before ending add the remaining two tablespoons of walnuts which just crush with your fingers into small pieces and mix into the sauce.
5. Refrigerate covered for at least one hour before serving.

You can find my Greek recipes in my cookbooks «More Than A Greek Salad», and«Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!» both available on all Amazon stores. Read more here.

Other related Recipes:

Bakaliaros (Beer Batted Cod)

Penne with Skordalia, Zucchini and Olives

Roasted Garlic

Garlic Sauce

Kopiaste

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,