Basic Yogurt Sauce

Sauce & Stock

Ingredients

1 cup Greek-style yogurt preferably whole milk yogurt (8 ounces/225 grams)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint leaves

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons lime juice (from 1 large lime) more to taste

1/2 teaspoon salt more to taste

1 garlic clove

Description

Serve this yogurt with basmati rice, quinoa, or couscous. Use to garnish lamb, chicken or fish kebabs. Spoon a dollop into pureed soups and shellbeans just before serving. Or thin with a little water to make a creamy dressing ideal for romaine or little gem lettuces.

Jessica Emily Marx for The New York Times
Featured in: Five Sauces For The Modern Cook.

Directions

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, mint, oil, lime juice, salt and 1 to 2 tablespoons water.

Use a rasp grater to finely grate garlic into the bowl.

Stir, taste and adjust salt and lime juice as needed.

Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days.

Notes

Persian Cucumber Yogurt

Stir in
– 1/2 cup minced, peeled cucumber (about 1/2 Persian cucumber)
– 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
– 1 tablespoon finely chopped dill.

Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish or lamb.
Thin with a little water and drizzle over sliced tomatoes for a simple salad.

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Carrot Raita

– substitute 3 tablespoons cilantro for mint

Add:
– 1/2 cup peeled
– grated carrot (about 1 small carrot)
– half a small jalapeño pepper, minced.

Sizzle 1 tablespoon cumin seeds in 1 tablespoon ghee or neutral oil until seeds begin to pop, 1 to 2 minutes.
Stir into yogurt.

Serve with lamb or vegetable curries. Spoon atop spicy chickpeas, basmati rice, or roast salmon.
Thin with a little water and drizzle over roasted beets, carrots and fennel.

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