With the Izmir Kofte and Rice, we also need some appetizer. Cacık is a good choice with this combination of food. You can make it either dense, like an appetizer, or with some water (more diluted like ayran).

Ingredients:
Half a cucumber
200gr (8oz) yogurt
Two pieces of garlic
Salt
Dried mint leaves (crushed)

Preparation:
Dice the cucumber into small pieces, or grate with the large side of the grater
Dice the garlic into very small pieces
Add the garlic, salt and yogurt to the cucumber and mix for a minute
If you want it more diluted, you can add some water and mix at this step
Add the mint on top and serve

Afiyet olsun.

Without the garlic and (much) more cucumber it is a delicious drink in hot summers (and you won't have the garlic-breath...). The water in the cucumber will make it less thick. That is how is told me by some people from Arabian countries.

Actually I use cacık not as an appetizer or drink, but instead of gravy with rice and meat. It's a perfect combination that I was sceptical about before my bi tanem proved otherwise.

Cacık with garlic is good for the heart.