Sweet and Savory Yogurt
Yogurt is a wonderful international culinary staple that’s been subverted by American agribusiness. Contrary to popular belief, genuine yogurt is anything but the thick, overly sweetened blend you’re likely to find in the refrigerated section at your local grocery store. Designed as quickie substitutes for breakfast, too often they’re laden with copious sugar for a rapid ride on the glucose express. Real yogurt—the healthier version known to the rest of the world—is generally much lighter. It’s also served in a wider variety of contexts, such as Indian raitas, served as a condiment, and Greek tzatziki, a combination of cucumbers and yogurt served as a dip, condiment, or spread. Yogurt (the name is Turkish) is meant to refresh, and this version is an ideal topping on cucumbers, lamb, or Middle Eastern Chickpea Burgers (page 112). When I first proposed this blend, one of my recipe testers looked at the long list of ingredients and asked, “all this for yogurt?” And then she took a taste …
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 cups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Soak the apricots and raisins separately in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain well and pat dry. Set aside the raisins and chop the apricots into bite-size pieces. Stir all of the ingredients together until thoroughly combined, then do a FASS check. You may want to add a pinch of salt, a spritz of lemon juice, or a bit more sweetener.
Step 2
Cover tightly and chill for 15 minutes before serving.
variation
Step 3
Add 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons of curry powder.
Step 4
In place of the parsley, cilantro, and mint, you can substitute 1/3 cup each of finely chopped and loosely packed fresh dill, basil, and thyme.
Step 5
Goes with Middle Eastern Chickpea Burgers (page 112), Orange Pistachio Couscous (page 145), Quinoa Pilaf (page 149), Mediterranean Lentil Salad (page 142), and Poached Salmon with Moroccan Pesto (page 121).
storage
Step 6
Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
nutrition information
Step 7
(per serving)
Step 8
Calories: 350
Step 9
Total Fat: 12.9g (3.6g saturated, 4.3g monounsaturated)
Step 10
Carbohydrates: 52g
Step 11
Protein: 7g
Step 12
Fiber: 4g
Step 13
Sodium: 270mg
