What can I do with plain yogurt?

[Closeacademy]

I have two large containers of plain yogurt. I had thought of making frozen yogurt but I don't how. What can I make with it?

I do have jam, some almonds, corn startch and graham crackers on hand.

Thanks.

[PrairieAir]

I like to buy plain yogurt and let the kids add the flavor of their choice of Polaner or some other all fruit jelly.

I also use yogurt in place of 1/3 to 1/2 of the milk when mixing up pancakes.

[*anj*]

You could make A.J.'s Chicken Tikka Masala (http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5135&page=2&highlight=chicken+tikka). It is really, really good!

[OnTheBrink]

I use it in banana bread and I sometimes use it as a sub for sour cream.

[Gretchen in NJ]

You could make yogurt cheese. You could add a little (or as much as you like) of your jam to make a nice spread for your graham crackers. Then, sprinkle with almonds. Yum!

Gretchen

[GailV]

Well, if you really want to know...

If it's a good quality yogurt with live cultures, I'd dump one container in a strainer lined with several layers of cheesecloth. I'd put a plate over the top of the strainer to apply a bit of pressure. And that way I'd let the whey drip out of the yogurt for several hours.

I'd put the whey in a jar in the fridge to use for various lacto-fermented items, such as sauerkraut (lots of recipes in the cookbook Nourishing Traditions). And I'd use the more solid yogurt (the yogurt cheese Gretchen mentioned) that's left as a cream cheese substitute.

The other container I'd experiment with flavoring with jam and with making smoothies.

[Sue G in PA]

They are our favorite year round. Some plain yogurt, frozen fruit or choice, honey, and if you have some: protein powder/flax seed/wheat germ and if you can stand the thougth..an egg or 2 (you really CANNOT taste the eggs and raw eggs in a smoothies will not give you food poisoning...just wash the egg first as the bacteria would be on the shell not in the egg...think cookie dough :)).

Another favorite around here: french toast! mix several eggs with a few tbsp. plain yogurt, some cinnamon/sugar/spice blend (we love the Pampered Chef blend), dip your bread and fry it up! Yum-o!

Another tasty snack: granola or fruit mixed w/ plain yogurt...add some honey for sweetness if you need more. Add you almonds. Presto...healthy snack.

HTH

[Philothea]

I make pork souvlaki and use plain yogurt to make my tzatziki sauce, serve with thin sliced onions and tomatoes and warm pitas...mmmm

[melissel]

They are our favorite year round. Some plain yogurt, frozen fruit or choice, honey, and if you have some: protein powder/flax seed/wheat germ and if you can stand the thougth..an egg or 2 (you really CANNOT taste the eggs and raw eggs in a smoothies will not give you food poisoning...just wash the egg first as the bacteria would be on the shell not in the egg...think cookie dough :)).

Another favorite around here: french toast! mix several eggs with a few tbsp. plain yogurt, some cinnamon/sugar/spice blend (we love the Pampered Chef blend), dip your bread and fry it up! Yum-o!

Another tasty snack: granola or fruit mixed w/ plain yogurt...add some honey for sweetness if you need more. Add you almonds. Presto...healthy snack.

HTH

This is what we would use it for--though I've never done the egg thing! We'll have to try that. I'm noticing that I feel LOADS better when I'm eating more protein.

[Amira]

We go through lots and lots of plain yogurt. In addition to using it to make more, I love these Afghan kebabs (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2006/12/afghan-kebabs.html) and this bulgar pilaf (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/bulgur-pilaf-with-tomatoes-onions-and.html) with yogurt, and we use plain yogurt as a topping for chilaquiles, spicy garbanzos and couscous (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/chilaquiles.html), and kichree (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/kichree-iraqi-red-lentils-and-rice.html). My favorite flatbread recipe (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/afghan-naan-recipe.html) uses some yogurt, and this cake (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/skillet-cake.html)is quick and delicious (we like it best with raspberries). And I use plain yogurt in smoothies and when I make macaroni. I just cook the pasta and add a bit of cheddar cheese and lots of yogurt.

[*anj*]

We go through lots and lots of plain yogurt. In addition to using it to make more, I love these Afghan kebabs (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2006/12/afghan-kebabs.html) and this bulgar pilaf (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/bulgur-pilaf-with-tomatoes-onions-and.html) with yogurt, and we use plain yogurt as a topping for chilaquiles, (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/chilaquiles.html)spicy garbanzos and couscous (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/couscous-and-garbanzos-with-spicy.html), and kichree (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/kichree-iraqi-red-lentils-and-rice.html). My favorite flatbread recipe (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/afghan-naan-recipe.html) uses some yogurt, and this cake (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/skillet-cake.html)is quick and delicious (we like it best with raspberries). And I use plain yogurt in smoothies and when I make macaroni. I just cook the pasta and add a bit of cheddar cheese and lots of yogurt.

Amira,
You just helped me to plan my dinner for tonight.
Thank you so much! These recipes look great. I love your blog!!
:001_smile:

[Amy in NH]

Use it as a direct substitution in any recipe in place of buttermilk. We go through at least 72oz per month this way.

[M&M]

Mix yogurt, honey, and peanut butter in a food processer or blender. We dip celery, crackers, and apple slices in it. We love it for lunch or a snack.

[KarenNC]

I just did tzatziki as well. Let the yogurt drain in a strainer lined with cheesecloth or paper towels (in the fridge) for a few hours or overnight. To the strained yogurt I add minced garlic, olive oil, a bit of dill, cucumbers that have been peeled, seeded and chopped, a bit of salt. My daughter loves this with chicken.

My husband loves to mix plain yogurt with unsweetened applesauce for breakfast.

[KarenNC]

We go through lots and lots of plain yogurt. In addition to using it to make more, I love these Afghan kebabs (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2006/12/afghan-kebabs.html) and this bulgar pilaf (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/bulgur-pilaf-with-tomatoes-onions-and.html) with yogurt, and we use plain yogurt as a topping for chilaquiles, spicy garbanzos and couscous (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/chilaquiles.html), and kichree (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/kichree-iraqi-red-lentils-and-rice.html). My favorite flatbread recipe (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/afghan-naan-recipe.html) uses some yogurt, and this cake (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2007/02/skillet-cake.html)is quick and delicious (we like it best with raspberries). And I use plain yogurt in smoothies and when I make macaroni. I just cook the pasta and add a bit of cheddar cheese and lots of yogurt.

Amira, do you find a difference in taste in red and green lentils? I am trying to add more whole grains, beans, etc to our diet and have tried green lentils, but not red yet. The kichree sounds promising, as do several of the other recipes.

[Amira]

Red lentils don't have a very strong flavor, in my opinion. My children much prefer red lentils, and they're also a lot quicker to cook. There's also a good red lentil soup (http://amiralace.blogspot.com/2005/02/red-lentil-soup.html) recipe on my blog that's very easy to make. I hope you like the kichree if you try it.

[Closeacademy]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the great ideas. I actually also have 2 boxes of couscous on hand. Today I am going to see about making some frozen yogurt.

Thanks all.:001_smile:

[gandpsmommy]

I use it in banana bread and I sometimes use it as a sub for sour cream.

I also use it in blueberry muffins.