The church food pantry has blessed me with 2 tubs of plain yogurt.

[rocktivity]

I've been engaging in such activities as adding the crushed canned mandarin oranges they also gave me, and a little triple sec syrup for sweetness. Open to other snacking and cooking suggestions...

They also gave me some fresh seedless cucumbers. The soup recipes I've looked at all call for shrimp -- would the smoked turkey necks I also got from the pantry work instead?


rocktivity

[eppur_se_muova]

1. Google something like "recipe indian yogurt" or "recipe raita" ... cucumber is a popular ingredient.

Can be as simple as yogurt, cucumbers, tomatoes, salt and pepper. My favorite includes blanched almonds, raisins, and cucumber. Herbs such as mint are frequently added. Unlike supermarket yogurts, these are usually savory rather than sweet, so starting from plain yogurt is best.

These are more popular in the summer, usually to provide a cooling-off after a hot and spicy main course. Oh, and don't forget lhassi, a yogurt (and usually fruit) drink. Banana is a safe choice.

Also, cacik, a Turkish dish which, like Indian raita, is served as a side dish or salad equivalent, but usually eaten before the main course. Cucumbers and mint or dill (all very cooling) are the usual additives, but there are many variations. Olive oil and garlic make this a more Mediterranean dish.

Simple yogurt with honey is popular in Greece and parts of Turkey.

[Sentath]

2. yogurt cheese / labneh

Food Network says: Place 4 layers of cheesecloth in colander set over a bowl. Add the yogurt and let drain overnight in the refrigerator. The desired consistency is that of soft cream cheese.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/yogurt-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback

You can go drier if you want. This can be used for many things.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

10. This is right

it"s a substitution for cream cheese if you want to make a more 'tart' cheesecake, like lemon.

Although it won't work on 'Fat Free" yogurts; they're made from so many chemicals and emulsifiers that they won't strain out.

When the water is strained out, use it on a 1 for 1 basis as a substitute for cream cheese, either volume (cups, etc...) or weight.

If you don't have cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or even a good paper towel will do.

[japple]

3. If you have honey, add that to the yogurt. It is delicious. As for the turkey necks,

I would simmer them to make soup stock. Strip the meat from the bones and use it in soup or to add flavor/protein to beans, peas, Be sure to share a bit with the resident cat or dog, though cooked bones are verboten for both species.

[Nay]

4. You can use it like sour cream, too. I do that all the time. nt

[dem in texas]

5. I eat plain yogurt for breakfast every day.

I eat about 1/2 cup with some chopped fruit in it. My favorite is some red grapefruit, sounds awful but it is so tasty. Grapes, bananas, oranges, strawberries, all the fruits are good with plain yogurt. I used to put a little dark brown sugar on top, but I don't add any sweet any more. I like Brown Cow and Mountain High yogurt brands.

I have an Indian friend who takes strips of raw chicken and marinates it in plain yogurt mixed with lots of chopped garlic. She puts the meat on skewers and cooks it on the grill. So good. Her mother makes a cheese from yogurt by draining it through cheesecloth. She cooks spinach and adds the yogurt cheese. Has lots of good Indian spices in it too. Never cooked these dishes but have eaten them several times. Both are simple to make and so delicious.

[The empressof all]

6. Those smoked turkey necks would make a great soup

I would use them for a bean soup or any soup that you would use a ham bone in. They will be flavorful and rich as a base for even a simple veg or potato soup

I make a batch of yogurt pretty much every week. We have it with fruit and cereal in the morning or use it to make raita or as a marinade with Indian Spices on chicken.

[grasswire]

7. smoothies

half a banana, whatever other fruit you have, a couple of ice cubes, maybe a dash of cinnamon, etc.

If you don't have a blender, you can use a mixer.

Also, plain yogurt is delicious with a bit of jam or jelly mixed in.

[noamnety]

8. Use the yogurt to make more yogurt!

Milk is so much cheaper than yogurt, and all you need to do is heat milk to 180°, let cool to 110°, mix in the plain yogurt, and keep in a warm spot overnight.

[surrealAmerican]

9. ... but first, check the label to make sure ...

... the yogurt you have has "active cultures". Some brands do; some don't.

[Ivan Kaputski]

11. My 4 pet rats are addicted to yogart.

<-3)----