Have You Discovered Greek Yogurt?
by Kalyn Denny

Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt was one of those food products that rocked my world when I finally tried it, and from the first time I tasted it, I've rarely been without some in my fridge. True Greek yogurt (from Greece) is made from sheep's milk, but in most parts of the world the term Greek yogurt has come to mean any extra thick yogurt with the whey strained out, no matter what type of milk is used. It's the creamy thickness of Greek yogurt that makes it so appealing, and even fat free Greek yogurt tastes creamier than regular American yogurt, something that makes it perfect for every type of diet.

Of course, yogurt is one of the Superfoods, so when you find a product that's rich and creamy tasting, nutritious, and even the fat free version tastes great, that's about as good as it gets. But there's more - Greek yogurt is also so versatile that there are countless delicious ways to use it. If you haven't tried Greek yogurt you may need to find an import market or natural foods store to find it. You can also make your own, or make something very similar by straining regular yogurt. Once you get your hands on some, here are some ideas from food bloggers about how to use it.

First, if you can't find any Greek yogurt where you live, you can make your own with a recipe for Homemade Greek Yogurt from Kalofagas - In Pursuit of Delicious Foods or How to Make Greek Yogurt from Bean Sprouts. If making yogurt from scratch seems too daunting, Jaden gives instructions for straining regular yogurt in her recipe for Coconut Frozen Yogurt with Tropical Fruit.

One of the most traditional ways to eat this yogurt is Greek Yogurt, Honey, and Walnuts. Sher from What Did You Eat eats it this way, but cautions "Greek yogurt will claim your heart." Another time Sher uses leftover pastry dough to make little Greek Yogurt Tarts.

Fun With Your Food tries Greek Yogurt for the first time with Strawberry Hemp Yogurt and gives it an enthusiastic thumbs up.

One of the attractions of Greek yogurt is that it doesn't separate so it can be used in cooking. At Culinary in the Country, Joe uses Greek yogurt to marinate chicken for Spring Chicken and Blue Cheese Salad.

Another savory dish featuring Greek yogurt is the Mushroom and Yogurt Tart from Jenn, The Leftover Queen. Don't miss the photos, this looks mouth-watering!

Life Chef's Food For Life has a creative recipe for Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing.

Heidi from 101 Cookbooks uses Greek yogurt and a recipe from David Lebovitz to make A Frozen Yogurt to Rival Pinkberry's. That same Vanilla Frozen Yogurt recipe also gets raves from The Kitchen Sink.

Cooking From A to Z makes Chocolate Mousse Tartlets with Greek Yogurt.

Finally, Fresh Figs with Balsamic Syrup and Greek Yogurt sound delicious and Truffle from What's On My Plate says they're heart-healthy as well.

These are only a few of the many Greek yogurt possibililties. If you've tried Greek yogurt and have a good way to eat it, leave a comment with the link or your recommendations.

BlogHer Food Editor Kalyn Denny also blogs at Kalyn's Kitchen where she swooned over Greek Yogurt with Agave Nectar and Pecans and also used Greek yogurt to make Tzatziki Sauce and Double Dill South Beach Diet Friendly Tartar Sauce.

Submitted by Kalyn Denny (view blog) on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 16:23

Comments

 

I am OBSESSED with Greek yogurt!!!

I don't make it myself, but I love, love, love eating it at the Greek diners near my apartment.  And I think Fage is deliciousness in a vat.  After I started eating Greek yogurt, it encouraged me to expand my yogurt diet, so I've been documenting the different yogurts I eat over at Live Active Cultures with my friend Count Mockula.  Today I had Yo-Goat, a goat's milk yogurt drink from Coach Farms, and it was an eye opener....

Suzanne Reisman, Contributing Editor - Feminism & Gender
Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS)& Other Rants

Submitted by Suzanne Reisman on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 15:51
 

How Fun!

A blog about yogurt, who knew?  I'm mildly obsessed with Greek yogurt too.  I buy the Fage 0% (fat free) and it's just fantastic with everything I've ever tried it with. 

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 16:23
 

I am hooked on Fage

I love, love, love that stuff. People are always shocked by the taste when I first introduce it to them and it is an acquired taste but oh my hell, it's good. With berries and granola? Unbelievable.  Heather B.Personal Blog: No Pasa NadaBlogHer CE: Business, Career & Personal Finance

Submitted by HeatherB on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 17:15
 

Heather, me too!!

I actually featured it in a post on my blog!  That's something I rarely
do.  Among food bloggers that brand kind of has cult status.

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Sun, 04/27/2008 - 18:46
 

Greek Yogurt Is Great

Hi Kalyn,

I've been eating Greek yogurt for a few months now and I love it!

Since I'm trying to eat healthier, it's a great substitute for dessert.  I love it because it's creamy and thick, like a really good custard.

I drizzle it with a little honey or like Heather, have it with granola or fruit.

And I'll have to take a look at Suzanne's new blog to get some more ideas. 

Yummy.

Megan
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute
Video Runway

Submitted by Megan Smith on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 18:36
 

It's the perfect alternative to dessert!

I agree, it's perfect to have for a lighter dessert.  I use Agave nectar instead of honey, which is lower on the glycemic index (doesn't turn to sugar so quickly in your body.)  Agave nectar tastes fantastic if you haven't tried it.  I could eat this every day! 

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 19:09
 

Sounds yummy!

I'm on a mean and evil diet and I've heard greek yogurt is tasty. And we use agave nectar all the time...thanks to a recommendation from my husband's nutritionist.

 

Submitted by momsatwork on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 19:24
 

Try the Fage Fat Free

Here's the post I wrote about my favorite Fage Total 0% Greek Yogurt, which is amazing if you can find it where you live.  In Utah they have it at Whole Foods.  It's so creamy for fat free and just delicious.  

Fun finding another fan of Agave Nectar, isn't it just wonderful stuff? 

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 19:40
 

Now I'm Hungry

I share the Greek Yogurt love. 

This week the grocery store was out of my son's favorite yogurt (Dannon Coffee), so I tried some Greek Strawberry. Unfortunately, he rejected it with all the vigor a toddler can muster. 

Liza, LizaWasHere

Submitted by LizaWasHere on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 13:25
 

How funny!

I guess it's officially an "adult" taste sensation. 

Kalyn Denny
Kalyn's Kitchen

Submitted by Kalyn Denny on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 18:57
 

Greek yogurt obsession

I am also addicted to Greek yogurt, I grew up in Ireland where we have a lot od similar small dairy farm yogurts that are unsweetened and don't contain the high fructose corn syrup. When I was in culinary school I spent a summer in Greece and that's where my real obsession started. I first ate the full fat really think and creamy stuff but then had to swap it out for the Fage 0% stuff and use the full fat as after sun!! I now live in California and love the Trader Joe's 0% fat..it's a lot cheaper then the Fage. Check out some of my video recipes using Greek Yogurt on www.inyourkitchen.com

Submitted by disey on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 23:01
 

Greek yogurt obsession

I am also addicted to Greek yogurt, I grew up in Ireland where we have a lot od similar small dairy farm yogurts that are unsweetened and don't contain the high fructose corn syrup. When I was in culinary school I spent a summer in Greece and that's where my real obsession started. I first ate the full fat really think and creamy stuff but then had to swap it out for the Fage 0% stuff and use the full fat as after sun!! I now live in California and love the Trader Joe's 0% fat..it's a lot cheaper then the Fage. Check out some of my video recipes using Greek Yogurt on www.inyourkitchen.com

Submitted by disey on Thu, 05/29/2008 - 23:01