Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Simple Changes -- Substituting with Plain Yogurt

I am continually amazed at how useful Plain Yogurt has proven itself to be in our family. Really, we go through quarts of it! (It is really simple to make at home.)

Did you know that you can use Plain Yogurt as a healthy substitution for Sour Cream? You should try it! It can be used in dips, in Mexican dishes, dolloped on soups or chili. Where else do you use Sour Cream? In most cases, I bet you could make a switch.

You can also substitute Plain Yogurt for Mayonnaise at times. I do when I make Potato Salad. I just mix some fresh herbs, salt, fresh garlic and Plain Yogurt in with cooked potatoes... sometimes I mix in a little brown mustard as well... throw in some green onion, diced bell pepper and black olives... or whatever veggies strike your fancy... and Voila! You've got some healthy potato salad. I get rave reviews on my potato salad at picnics. No one even knows it's loaded with probiotics ;-)

So what do you use Plain Yogurt for? I'd like to know...

For more Works For Me Wednesday Tips, check out WeAreThatFamily.

16 comments:

Lynn said...

I love homemade yogurt. It is so good and so good for you.

It Feels Like Chaos said...

Great suggestion! My daughter is allergic to eggs so we can't do mayo in family dinner items. I have been just avoiding any recipes calling for mayo, but now I'm going to try them substituting yogurt! Thanks for sharing this tip!

Sharon said...

I've just started doing this and we LOVE it! Cannot tell the difference for the most part and it is SO good for everyone! I use it all dips that call for sour cream, in homemade pancake mix, cream soups, all sorts of things! LOVE IT!! Great tips!

Meagan said...

We've used it as a substitute in cake and brownies instead of oil or applesauce. It worked really well!

Jean Joiner said...

interesting idea...i might give it a try. my mom used to blend up cottage cheese and add a little lemon juice and substitute that for sour cream. not sure if cottage cheese is any more healthy than sour cream though...i think she just did it if she was out of sour cream. the yogurt sounds yummy in the potato salad...thanks for sharing!!

emw said...

This is great! I make homemade vanilla but could easily make plain to use for this. Thanks for the tip. I have really enjoyed browsing your site!!!

Moore Minutes said...

I like mixing ranch dip seasonings into it. I like your blog by the way! :)

Jenny said...

I hate yogurt. It's so gross. Like eating mucus. LOL

Larissa Smith said...

Plain yogurt is also a good substitute for buttermilk in baked goods.

Marlene said...

I use it in mashed potatoes to make them more creamy instead of using whole milk, and as a substitute for sour cream in pretty much all my baking. I also make my own yogurt. It is amazing how simple and inexpensive it is! :)

Unknown said...

I've used it in place of mayo in chicken salad. What spices do you put in your potato salad, Amy?

Amy Ellen said...

Hi Andrea,

We love to add in fresh parsley. I have added Thyme and Rosemary before... but our all time favorite is parsley, garlic and a bit of green onion. We add in some chopped eggs sometimes too...

Good to hear from you again! Amy Ellen

mub said...

I need to get into the habit of using yogurt in things, it usually slips my mind! Thanks for the reminder.

mandi said...

perfect timing! right now i am turning plain yogurt into yogurt cheese to make icing for son's bday party tomorrow. kind of has a cream cheese consistency. i'll whip in a little vanilla and honey for the icing.

Amy Ellen said...

Hi Mandi! That is a great thought... I have used "yogurt cheese" instead of cream cheese often. And it really works as a substitution. I hope your icing is wonderful...

AE

Oh, and by the way, don't throw out the whey that drips out of the yogurt... save it for lacto-fermentation from Sally Fallon's Nourishing Traditions.

Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship said...

I have used yogurt for sour cream, but I'll have to try it with mustard in potato salad. Although - I have started making HM mayo, lacto-fermented, so that's really healthy in the potato salad too. :)