Kosher Cuisine with Marcy Goldman

Shavuot Gets a (Yogurt) Rematch - or Take Me to the Greek

Baking with Greek yogurt is a cause for Shavuot Celebrating

I am always delighted when a new food trend makes sense, i.e. it’s something that tastes wonderful, happens to be good for you, is accessible and works in tons of new recipes.

Such is the case with the Greek yogurt craze. As a food professional, (and dieticians will agree), it’s a game changer. As a baker, I also know where you put buttermilk, sour cream or regular yogurt; you can easily swap in Greek yogurt and often enjoy even better baking results.

Because Greek yogurt is strained three times, it is extra thick and luxurious making it great for baking (and it does double duty on top of Shavuot blintzes). Greek yogurt is calorie-low, protein and calcium packed, showcases some nifty pro-biotics (if you choose the right brand such as Chobani or Oikos) and as it is Shavuot, the Jewish dairy holiday - just in time. (Did I mention it’s also generally available kosher?). Yes, we always knew Greek civilization was brilliant but this new food trend featuring Greek yogurt is beyond brilliance. It’s inspired!

For this mellow month of May when Shavuot occurs, (one of my favorite Jewish holidays), celebrate with this new recipe collection that fuses a Greek food with a chapter from the Jewish bible. One can only imagine that had the Israelites stumbled on Greek yogurt after their 40 year desert trek, how much greater their joy. Then again, since Shavuot calls for dairy, dairy and more dairy, thank goodness Greek yogurt is now here to stay.

Enjoy,

Marcy Goldman

Recipes:

Greek Yogurt Cheese Tart
A sumptuous little cheesecake you can whip up in no time flat. This is ideal when you want a small cheesecake; enjoy the nutritious and smoothness of a great Greek yogurt. I’ve used canned cherry pie topping but fresh fruit and apricot glaze is another way to go.

Greek Yogurt Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins
Extra tender muffins, with a wonderful inner crumb of lemon and poppy seeds and topped with streusel made extra healthy with low-fat Greek yogurt. A perfect Shavuot treat.

Almond Cheese Pie
Bake, chill and then luxuriate in this rich but not too rich, cottage cheese based sweet almond pie. Serve with sour cream, fruit or plain. This freezes well too. Dry cottage cheese is a kosher style cottage cheese also called hoop or baker’s cheese. You can also use drained curd cottage cheese.

Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Tart
Smooth and light, and pretty as a picture, decorate with what fruit you choose.

Greek Yogurt Stuffed French Toast
Perfect for a Shavuot luncheon or brunch, this is a French toast ‘blintz’ casserole

Greek Yogurt Scones with Sour Cherries
This is an ultra tender scone. Just make sure you use the thick Greek yogurt.