Superfood: Yogurt

Updated October 25, 2010
Jim Bathie

Classified as a healthy snack, yogurt is also a cook’s helper giving texture to baked goods and body to soups, sauces, and dips.

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Superfood: Yogurt

Credit: Oxmoor House

Yogurt deserves superstar status for its bone-strengthening calcium and high quality protein. If it comes packaged with “active cultures,” add disease-fighter to that list since “good” bacteria (probiotics) help keep the stomach and immune system healthy. One little hitch: to reap the health benefits of yogurt, stick with plain varieties including the newly popular plain Greek yogurts. Yogurts packaged with added sugars (fruit and flavored ones) are little more than dessert in disguise.

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Thick and Creamy Yogurt

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Thick and Creamy Yogurt Recipe

To create a satiny yogurt, Fletcher uses whole milk, adds dry milk to boost the protein, and heats it before culturing.

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Roasted Plum Breakfast Parfaits

Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Claire Spollen

Roasted Plum Breakfast Parfaits Recipe

Nectarines or peaches would be just as delicious as plums. You may need to adjust the roasting time by a few minutes, but otherwise the method is the same. Whichever fruit you choose, it can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

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Raspberry Yogurt Cheese with Gingersnaps

Credit: James Baigrie

Raspberry Yogurt Cheese with Gingersnaps Recipe

With just three ingredients -- honey, plain yogurt, and fresh raspberries -- you can make a scrumptious spread for bagels, crackers, or tea sandwiches. Dieting? Switch out the full fat plain yogurt for fat-free plain, or zero fat Greek yogurt, for a skinnier spread.

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Spiced Chicken Thighs with Yogurt Sauce

Credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Spiced Chicken Thighs with Yogurt Sauce Recipe

One of our most popular weeknight suppers, Moroccan spice-rubbed skinless chicken thighs are topped here with an easy yogurt sauce made with minced garlic and chopped cilantro. The sauce is also great with roasted lamb or drizzled over steak tacos.

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Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup

Credit: Jennifer Mariné; Styling: Randy Mon

Chilled Cucumber, Avocado, and Yogurt Soup Recipe

Rich creamy soups are typically high in fat and calories, but this one proves the tasty exception. Low-fat plain yogurt adds the creaminess while a mix of garlic, cumin, cucumber, avocado, and fresh herbs makes it flavorful.

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Greek-Style Yogurt

Credit: Thomas J. Story

Greek-Style Yogurt Recipe

For a more voluptuous texture, cookbook author Janet Fletcher drains her homemade yogurt to release some of the liquid (whey). Serve this yogurt with fruit and use it in recipes such as Harissa-Roasted Chicken with Chickpeas.

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Honey-Roasted Pears with Sweet Yogurt Cream

Credit: Randy Mayor; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Honey-Roasted Pears with Sweet Yogurt Cream Recipe

While pears roasted with honey are delicious, you have to love the three ingredient cream sauce served on the side. Made with honey, vanilla, and drained plain low fat yogurt, it’s a perfect light sauce for all kinds of desserts.

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Carrot-Celery Slaw with Yogurt Dressing

Credit: David Prince

Carrot-Celery Slaw with Yogurt Dressing Recipe

The colorful combination of carrots and celery is fun, but what makes this salad so special is its light creamy dressing. Made with low-fat plain yogurt, Dijon mustard, and olive oil, it’s a refreshing alternative to fat-laden mayonnaise.

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Yogurt, Honey and Walnut Parfaits

Credit: Annabelle Breakey; Styling: Emma Star Jensen

Yogurt, Honey and Walnut Parfaits Recipe

These honey and walnut parfaits are a great energizing snack or even an invigorating dessert.

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Yogurt-Zucchini Bread with Walnuts

Credit: © Frances Janisch

Yogurt-Zucchini Bread with Walnuts Recipe

Low-cal Greek yogurt helps keep this luscious tea bread moist without all the fat of traditional baked goods. Walnuts, zucchini, and sweet spices create a hauntingly good flavor combination that makes it hard to believe this quick bread is light.

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Spinach Simmered in Yogurt

Credit: © Kana Okada

Spinach Simmered in Yogurt Recipe

Creamy spinach takes a trip to the Mediterranean with the addition of bold-flavored seasonings including red chili, garlic, coriander, and turmeric. Yogurt tames the spices to make it a great last-minute side dish for roasted meats.

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Grilled Yogurt Chicken with Cucumber Salad

Credit: Leo Gong; Styling: Randy Mon

Grilled Yogurt Chicken with Cucumber Salad Recipe

Plain yogurt enhanced with cumin and turmeric makes a great marinade for grilled chicken breast. And then it does double duty as a dressing for a light and easy cucumber salad to serve on the side.

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Raspberries with Chocolate Yogurt Mousse

Credit: Jim Bathie

Raspberries with Chocolate Yogurt Mousse Recipe

Almost too simple to be a recipe, this lightning fast dessert flavors zero fat Greek yogurt with cocoa and honey to make a creamy mousse that’s crowned with fresh raspberries. Added bonus: Greek yogurt has double the appetite-quenching protein of regular yogurt.

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