Skordalia-Greek Potato Garlic Dip

Why this recipe sings

Skordalia, also known as aliada, is a delicious potato garlic dip usually served with fried fish like cod, fried eggplant, zucchini, or beets salad.

It has a creamy texture very similar to mashed potatoes and a garlicky flavor.

For Greeks, skordalia is associated with the 25th of March, the Greek independence day, where most families enjoy it for lunch alongside fried battered cod-bakaliaro.

Skordalia is very easy to prepare and can be made with potatoes but also with bread. Other ingredients can be walnuts or almonds. Vinegar or lemon juice is often added for a tangy flavor. Variations of the basic recipe include using eggs to give it a creamy texture or making it less thick, a sauce similar to aioli.

In some recipes, fish stock is used along with the other ingredients. A piece of cod fish boils for 20 minutes in water to make fish stock. The stock is then added to the mashed potatoes to create a creamier result, like a sauce.

Traditionally it is made with a mortar and pestle, but a potato masher and/or a food processor will work just fine.

The process is simple. In our recipe, after boiling and mashing the potatoes, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil are added in and create a smooth, delicious dip. The garlic can be freshly minced, roasted, or in any form you like. The freshly minced raw garlic will result in a stronger skordalia and the roasted will have a milder flavor.

Here is what you need

• Potatoes. Any kind of potatoes will be fine.
• Garlic. It can be roasted or minced raw.
• Extra virgin olive oil.
• Lemon. Alternatively, you can use red wine vinegar.
• Sea salt.
• Fish stock. Not shown above. Optional. Certain recipes use a couple of tablespoons of fish stock to loosen up the dip and make it more saucy.

How to make this recipe

In this recipe, the garlic is roasted for a milder flavor. A whole garlic bulb roasts wrapped in aluminum foil, and the garlic paste is added to the mashed potatoes. One garlic head gives a mild sweet flavor. You can roast more cloves and tune in the garlic flavor to your liking. Please see the recipe notes for additional garlic options.

Preheat the oven to 220°C / 425°F.

Cut the top of the garlic bulb and place it in a large piece of aluminum foil. Drizzle a bit of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Wrap in the foil and roast in the oven for 3- minutes.

Peel the potatoes and quarter them. Boil potatoes in well-salted water until tender, about 15 minutes. 

Drain the potatoes well. Place them in a large bowl, and while they are still very warm, mash them with a potato masher or ricer.

Squeeze the garlic paste out of the roasted garlic. Add it to the potatoes. Add the olive oil and juice from one lemon and mix well with a wooden spoon. Adjust sea salt to taste.

What to serve with skordalia

This garlicky dip is traditionally served with fried cod and a beets salad. You can serve it with any other seafood dish, such as these codfish cakes or chickpea fritters. Include it in this amazing Greek grazing board next to smoked mackerel, anchovies, or fried calamari for your next gathering.