Easy Recipes with Greek Yogurt

Perhaps you have noticed all the new varieties of yogurt hitting the grocery stores, particularly the Greek variety.

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image by Wolfgang Staudt

Greek yogurt, which is made in a very similar process to traditional American yogurt except straining to create a more creamy consistency, is all the rage right now. I personally love it. Typically it has less sugar and more protein than traditional yogurt. It can be a great substitute for sour cream or a handy ingredient for recipes.

But, just like my previous post on ingredient labels said, you have to read the label. For some reason, not all varieties have the higher protein content (around 15 g per servings) and lower sugar. I was surprised myself when I went to pick up another variety (the stores had a shortage of my favorite Dannon for awhile) and found only 6g of protein per serving in brand Y and some extra ingredients that didn’t make since for plain yogurt. I have no idea why the differences, but it reinforced my long standing belief in always reading the label. Look for a quality brand that has basic ingredients and higher protein content if you decide to give it a try.

I will also say it does taste different than traditional yogurt. It’s somewhere between plain traditional yogurt and sour cream. I usually like mine with something naturally sweet, like fruit, to cut some of the tangy taste.

Here are a couple of easy treats that you can make with Greek yogurt. If you are craving something sweet and creamy reach for one of these instead of ice cream.

Frozen Berry Yogurt

• 1 serving plain non fat Greek yogurt ( I like Dannon)
• ¼ cup frozen blueberries
• ½ frozen banana
• Sprinkle of stevia

1. Place berries and banana in a bowl and let set 5-10 minutes to partially thaw.
2. Add yogurt, sprinkle with stevia and stir until well combined.
3. Eat immediately. Makes 1 serving.

Chocolate Banana Yogurt

• 1 serving plain non fat Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ banana (frozen or fresh)
• Sprinkle of stevia

1. Place all ingredients in a bowl, blend and serve. Makes 1 serving.