Yogurt is like thick milk that got a bit of a tang and it’s been around forever, tastes good and does some good in your body too. It got lots of probioitcs, vitamine and minerals that help your stomach and your body fight off colds plus give your bones calcium and muscles protein.
Now days most people is running all the time and it’s hard to find a quick but nutritous thing to eat. This post gonna show why yogurt should be on your plate everyday, and it fits in lots of recipes from sweet to salty.
Lets jump in and see some breakfast bowls to yummy dips and even desserts.
What is Yogurt?
Yogurt come from milk that has good bacetria added to it, this bacetria eat the sugar and makes the milk thick and kind of sour, its a very old food people across the world been eating it for thousends of years.
From a nutrition view, yogurt pack a punch, its full of friendly probioitcs that help your gut, plus you get a lot of calcium thats important for strong bones and teeth and protein thats great for your muscle, also you can find B12, ribloflavin and potasium in many types.
There are differnt kinds you can get, Greek yogurt is real thick and got more protein, and if you cant do dairy theres almond or coconut ones so everyones got a choice.
Benefits of Incorporating Yogurt into Your Diet
Adding yogurt in your daily food can do lots of good things, first it help keep your stomach happy by putting good bacteria in your gut, that can cut down on bloat, constipation or other tummy issues.
Another reason is if your trying to watch your weight, yogurt is pretty low in calories but high in protein so it can keep you feeling full longer and make you eat less later, plus calcium and protein work together to keep your weight on track.
Yogurt can even be used for your skin and hair, some people smear it on their face or hair for moisture, it can soothe dry skin and maybe help your hair get stronger cause of all that protein.
In the kitchin yogurt is super handy, you can swap it for sour cream or mayo in many recipes to make them lighter, its also great in cooking and baking to add creaminess and boost the taste of dishes like sauces, marindaes or cakes.
Types of Yogurt Recipes
Yogurt is a base you can use in all kind of recipes, sweet or savory, breakfast or snacks or desserts, it make any dish better with its cream texture and tang taste. You can try:
- Sweet Recipes: Mix yogurt with fruit, granola or honey to make tasty bowls or desserts.
- Savory Recipes: Use yogurt for creamy sauces, dressings or marinades for meats and salads.
- Breakfast Ideas: Parfaits or overnight oats with yogurt will change up your mornings.
- Snack Options: Eat yogurt by it self or turn it into dips and spreads for chips or veggies.
- Dessert Recipes: Add yogurt into cakes, smoothies or ice-cream for a healthier twist.
- Dips and Sauces: Use yogurt as a creamy base for dips and dressings to boost flavor.
Breakfast Yogurt Recipes
Yogurt Parfaits
Ingredients: yogurt, granola, fresh fruits, honey.
Directions: In a glass layer yogurt then granola then fruits. Drizzle honey on top and serve cold.
Advice: Seasonal fruits will make your parfait tastierr and fresher.
Overnight Oats with Yogurt
Ingredients: rolled oats, yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, fruits.
Directions: Stir rolled oats, yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds and maple syrup in a jar. Put in fridge overnight.
Advice: Making them in jars make it easy to grab and go next morning.
Savory Yogurt Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients: yogurt, roasted vegetables, olive oil, herbs, poached egg.
Directions: Spoon yogurt into bowl, add roasted veggies, drizzle olive oil and top with a poached egg. Season with salt and pepper.
Advice: Pick colorful veggies to make your bowl look and taste better.
Lunch and Dinner Yogurt Recipes
Yogurt-Based Salad Dressings
Ingredients: yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper.
Directions: Whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, minced garlic and herbs. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Advice: Try diffrent herbs like dill or basil for new flavours.
Tzatziki Sauce
Ingredients: Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, olive oil, salt.
Directions: Grate cucumber and squeeze out extra water, then stir into yogurt with garlic, dill, oil and salt. Let rest so flavours blend.
Advice: Give it time to sit before you eat it, the taste get better.
Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Ingredients: chicken breasts, yogurt, lemon juice, spices (cumin, paprika).
Directions: Mix yogurt with lemon juice and spices. Coat chicken and leave in fridge for at least an hour or overnight. Grill or bake till done.
Advice: Marinate overnight for the best flavor and soft chicken.
Yogurt Curry Sauce
Ingredients: yogurt, onions, garlic, ginger, spices (turmeric, coriander), tomatoes.
Directions: Cook onions, garlic and ginger till soft then add spices and tomatoes. Simmer till thick then stir in yogurt and heat few more mins.
Advice: Serve with rice or naan for a filling meal.
Snack and Dessert Yogurt Recipes
Yogurt Smoothie
Ingredients: yogurt, fruits (banana, berries), honey, ice.
Directions: Blend yogurt, fruits, honey and ice till smooth. Drink right away.
Advice: Throw in some spinach to make it healthy but you wont taste it.
Yogurt Bark
Ingredients: yogurt, mixed fruits, nuts, seeds.
Directions: Spread yogurt on a parchment lined tray. Top with fruits, nuts and seeds then freeze till firm. Break into pieces.
Advice: Using parchment paper make clean up super easy.
Yogurt Banana Bread
Ingredients: yogurt, ripe bananas, flour, eggs, sugar, baking soda.
Directions: Mash bananas then mix with yogurt and eggs. Then add flour, sugar and baking soda. Put batter in loaf pan and bake till top is golden.
Advice: Swapping some butter with yogurt make the bread more moist and less fattie.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use yogurt in cooking?
Yes its great in cooking to add creaminess and you can swap it for sour cream or mayo in most dishes.
Is Greek yogurt healthier than regular yogurt?
Greek yogurt usually got more protein and less sugar than normal yogurt so a lot of people pick it for health reasons.
How long does homemade yogurt last?
Home made yogurt can stay good in the fridge for about two weeks but always check if it smell off before eating.
Can yogurt help with digestion?
Yes the live cultures in yogurt help keep your gut in check and can fix digestion problems.
What are some good substitutes for yogurt in recipes?
You can use sour cream, buttermilk or even silken tofu for a vegan option depending what you like.
Conclusion
Yogurt can go in so many dishes from morning to dessert, it not only make food tastier but also give you extra nutricion. Try out these recipes and dont be afrad to put yogurt in other things too. Let us know your favorite yogurt creations in the comments below so we can all share ideas.
yogurt recipes
Equipment
- 4 serving glasses or bowls
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 knife for cutting fruits
- 1 measuring cups for ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 cups plain yogurt Preferably Greek.
- 2 cups mixed fresh fruits Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or your choice.
- 1 ½ cups granola
- 2 tablespoons honey Optional, for sweetness.
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Optional.
Instructions
- Wash the mixed fruits thoroughly. If using strawberries, cut them into slices. For bananas, slice them into rounds.
- In each serving glass or bowl, add 1 cup of plain yogurt as the first layer.
- Add ½ cup of mixed fruits on top of the yogurt.
- Follow with ¼ cup of granola as the third layer.
- Repeat the layers again, adding another cup of yogurt, ½ cup of mixed fruits, and ¼ cup of granola.
- Drizzle honey on top and sprinkle with cinnamon for added flavor, if desired.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving for a chilled option.
