20 ways to cook with yoghurt

Yoghurt is a bit of a wonder ingredient - it's used as a thickener in soups, a marinade, a base for sauces and dips, to leaven bread - and that's just the start.

Afghan braised chicken with yoghurt and turmeric (lawang) is an example of using yoghurt instead of cream to curb saturated fat intake. Source: China Squirrel

Breakfast

1. Poached eggs in yoghurt (çılbır)

Tangy yoghurt is a natural pairing for creamy poached eggs - especially when you add spiced melted butter into the mix and serve it with crusty bread. As an added bonus, this creative breakfast is straightforward to prepare, making it easy to deal with first thing in the morning.

Poached eggs in yoghurt (çılbır). Source: Brett Stevens

2. Zucchini waffles with cherry tomato salsa and dill yoghurt

A refreshing sauce of Greek yoghurt, dill and sea salt is the icing on the waffle of this bright breakfast.

Zucchini waffles with cherry tomato salsa and dill yoghurt. Source: Benito Martin

Dips and bread

3. Atom yoghurt (Turkish labne with dried chillies and fresh peppers)

This mezze platter addition is yet another example of the genius of flavour pairing of rich browned butter and sharp yoghurt: strained yoghurt is topped with fresh peppers and dried chillies that have been cooked in butter until soft and caramelly. Start this recipe the day before to allow straining time for the yoghurt.

Atom yoghurt (Turkish labne with dried chillies and fresh peppers). Source: Anason

4. Simit with haydari (Turkish sesame bread with yoghurt dip)

Haydari is a type of Turkish yoghurt dip, and this one adds tangy and earthy goats feta along with the labne (strained yoghurt), herbs and seasonings. Because of its thickness, you can use any leftover dip as a spread for sandwiches - especially those involving smoked and cured fish.

Simit with haydari (Turkish sesame bread with yoghurt dip). Source: China Squirrel

5. Yoghurt flatbread

These flatbreads need a little time for the dough to rise, but then can be thrown on a BBQ hotplate, frying pan or into a wood-fired to cook in a matter of minutes.

Yoghurt flatbread. Source: Feast magazine

Soups

6. Yoghurt, mint and barley soup (spas)

Enjoy this Armenian classic either warm in cooler months or chilled in warmer months. It's light and herbal at the same time as creamy and comforting.

Yoghurt, mint and barley soup (spas).

7. Yoghurt and herb soup (dovga)

This hearty and herbaceous soup from Azerbaijan, is definitely a meal in a bowl - it's filled with little hand-rolled meatballs, as well as chickpeas and rice. Like the Armenian yoghurt soup, it can be served warm or chilled.

Yoghurt and herb soup (dovga). Source: Brett Stevens

Vegetable dishes 

8. Parsnip, yoghurt and date salad

If you're in a hurry, but also in need of an interesting light meal or side dish, this salad can be ready in a total of 20 minutes - or less, depending on your parsnip-grating skills.

Parsnip, yoghurt and date salad. Source: Murdoch Books

9. Chickpeas with spinach and yoghurt

Plain yoghurt serves a pillowy bed for the lively chickpea topping. Expect mouthfuls of zing from the thinly sliced fresh lemon (rind included) and chilli flakes. This would make a great light and nourishing lunch or dinner.

Chickpeas with spinach and yoghurt. Source: The Palomar Cookbook

10. Crisp eggplant with sweet-spiced yoghurt and pomegranate

Where pain yoghurt is often served as a neutral ground to balance out more complex-flavored dishes, here this marbled yoghurt brings the flavour to the table. Tomato is cooked with mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves and chilli powder until pulpy, then wound through yoghurt to create a flavour ripple.

Crisp eggplant with sweet-spiced yoghurt and pomegranate. Source: Anjum's Australian Spice Stories

11. Crushed broad beans with yoghurt, chervil and charred bread

Serve this for a brunch (a poached egg wouldn't go astray!) or aromatic appetizer or tapas offering.

Crushed broad beans with yoghurt, chervil and charred bread. Source: China Squirrel

12. Spice roasted butternut pumpkin with capered yoghurt

An intriguing combination of sweet spiced pumpkin with a salty spiced yoghurt. It would be a dream with roast lamb and/ or a puy lentil salad, roast capsicum or couscous salads.

Spice roasted butternut squash with capered yoghurt. Source: Anjum's Australian Spice Stories

Meat dishes

13. Afghan braised chicken with yoghurt and turmeric (lawang)

This lovely curry is mild, creamy and aromatic - a real crowd-pleaser.

Afghan braised chicken with yoghurt and turmeric (lawang). Source: China Squirrel

14. Fish cooked in yoghurt

Cooking fish in yoghurt makes it extra succulent, and the tang of natural yoghurt cuts through the richness of the mackerel.

Fish cooked in yoghurt. Source: Brett Stevens

15. Tave kosi (baked lamb and rice with yoghurt)

Kind of like an Albanian shepherd's Pie.

Baked lamb and rice with yoghurt (tave kosi). Source: Brett Stevens

16. Butter chicken with mint yoghurt and pickled onions

A spice-infused yoghurt marinade jump-starts the flavour in this version of butter chicken. Don't skip on the condiments, they complete the golden curry ratio, bringing sour, sweet, creamy and fresh flavours.

Butter chicken with mint yoghurt and pickled onions. Source: SBS supplied

17. BBQ sumac prawn cocktails with avocado & sumac yoghurt sauce

If you're a prawn cocktail lover - or just looking for a new way to serve prawns - this take on a prawn cocktail has a unique line-up of ingredients: the prawns are marinated in a pomegranate molasses-based blend before being grilled, and instead of the standard prawn cocktail concoction of tomato sauce, mayonnaise, cream, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, they're served with a sauce involving yoghurt, avocado, sumac and gherkins.

BBQ sumac prawn cocktail with avocado and sumac yoghurt. Source: Lina Jebeil

18. Lamb manti (kuzu manti)

Manti are like Turkish ravioli, and are usually filled with a beef and traditionally served with yoghurt sauce.

Kuzu manti (lamb manti). Source: Brett Stevens

Dessert

19. Yoghurt cake with strawberries

Friends popping over for a cuppa and you need a go-to cake? You can rely on this one. Top it with whatever fresh fruit you have on hand, and an extra dollop of creamy plain yoghurt.

Yoghurt cake with strawberries. Source: Benito Martin

20. Yoghurt-honey creams with sweet tomato compote

Technically, tomatoes are a fruit so it shouldn't be that surprising to use them in a dessert. They're cooked in a compote like any other fruit - with sugar, water, a cinnamon stick and lemon peel - and are a perfect match in both flavour and texture with the honey-scented yoghurt.

Yoghurt-honey creams with sweet tomato compote. Source: Alan Benson