For years I heard about Greek yogurt, but never found it in the grocery store. Perhaps it was there all along, but I never saw it among the dizzying assortment of yogurt in the dairy case. Then one memorable day, I found it. I bought a carton and immediately fell in love with the thick, smooth texture, unlike yogurt thickened with gelatin or pectin. It's my understanding that Greek yogurt is made by boiling sheep or cow's milk, until the water content in the milk is reduced. This concentrated milk eventually becomes a marvelous yogurt, so delicious it's one of my favorite things to eat for dessert. I'll take a carton of it over ice cream anytime. I like to tell myself that it's much healthier for me, but truth to tell, Greek yogurt can be high in fat and calories. But, I don't care. There's a split of opinion among Greek yogurt fans about whole milk versus skim milk varieties. Count me in the whole milk faction, as the skim milk version tastes grainy to me. But, I know people who swear that Fage and Trader Joe make a skim milk product equal to that made with whole milk. Well, I'll never give up my whole milk Greek yogurt. Never!
My favorite dessert is a pillow of the yogurt topped with honey and walnuts. Healthy, (if you can resist the urge to eat all the walnuts and lick the bowl clean of the honey).
Proceed with caution. Resistance is futile. Greek yogurt will claim your heart.
Sher, count me in for whole milk yoghurt, too! I love Greek yoghurt, because its creaminess is similar to the Vietnamese version of yourghurt....
Oh Sher, you really have to try the Vietnamese version one day!! best if you can go to Hanoi to sample it in one very famous shop. They have different types of yoghurt with different textures (soft, semi-hard and frozen)... I miss such taste so much!!!
Posted by: Anh | October 02, 2007 at 12:54 AM
I can't eat all he walnut? Or lick the bowl?!?!? You take all the fun out of it. Greek yogurt is very common here - but, then, the yogurt section in our supermarkets is one entire aisle, both sides. We eat a lot of yogurt...
Posted by: Katie | October 02, 2007 at 02:00 AM
count me in too Sher! I tasted non-fat yoghurt once... then, never!
This dessert (or breakfast, or meal for anytime!) is so good, worth for a fight with your squirrls babies for that walnuts :)
Posted by: gattina | October 02, 2007 at 02:46 AM
Me, too -- I'm in the "whole milk" Greek yogurt camp. I don't eat it that often, but when I do, I want all of the rich flavor and texture.
Posted by: Lydia | October 02, 2007 at 03:47 AM
Got to try this next, I have never had Greek Yogurt :( Maybe I will be a convert
Posted by: sandeepa | October 02, 2007 at 05:33 AM
Great to see that you've discovered greek yogurt and this simple yet delicious part of a breakfast.
Posted by: Peter | October 02, 2007 at 05:43 AM
I only recently discovered Greek yogurt. It is so good!
Posted by: April | October 02, 2007 at 06:14 AM
I've never seen yogurt I so wanted to eat than yours Sher! Great photos!!
I don't think it's always been in the grocery, only just arrived because people started asking for it.
Posted by: Tanna | October 02, 2007 at 07:00 AM
omg i agree 100% whole milk only. i eat it w/ a spoonful of strawberry jam for desert but i must say the coating of walnuts in honey is brilliant! such beautiful pictures too as always.
ps. if i were a baby squirrel and fell out of my tree i sure would hope it would be in your town. hugs to you :)
Posted by: aria | October 02, 2007 at 07:03 AM
I'm also in the whole milk camp! A simple, yet very gratifying dessert...
Cheers,
Rosa
Posted by: Rosa | October 02, 2007 at 07:44 AM
Wow! Nice picture! That looks pretty spectacular, and it sounds pretty easy to put together.
Posted by: Julie | October 02, 2007 at 08:35 AM
I've never had Greek yoghurt, Sher, but like you, keep hearing/reading about how wonderful it is! Judging from your photos, I'd say its all true. :-)
Posted by: Belinda | October 02, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Wow, that looks incredible!
Posted by: Cedar | October 02, 2007 at 11:43 AM
oh, yum.
now you'll live forever!
Posted by: whaleshaman | October 02, 2007 at 01:00 PM
I've never tried this either but I'll look for it at Trader Joe's. Is it sugar free (without the honey - of course)?
Posted by: Brenda | October 02, 2007 at 02:36 PM
That looks really good! I have been having a hard time finding Greek style yogurt... I will have to try harder.
Posted by: Kevin | October 02, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Sher, let's find out from Anh where that shop is in Vietnam and go there together to try out the yogurt!
(I have to say the Fage Total Yogurt is pretty darn good, and it's fat free!)
Posted by: Kalyn | October 02, 2007 at 05:09 PM
This is exactly what my hubby described to me when he lived in Athens. Wish I could find someone who supplied it our rural town....thanks for sharing...Di
Posted by: Natural Leap | October 02, 2007 at 08:55 PM
I love Fage. Is the yoghurt you are talking about called Greek Yoghurt?
Posted by: Melly | October 02, 2007 at 09:31 PM
Oh yum! I've never even tasted Greek yogurt, but your pictures are making me drool.
Posted by: kristi | October 03, 2007 at 09:59 AM
Oh how I love Greek yogurt. I was first introduced to it in Australia, and I haven't found the same stuff here. I miss it!
Posted by: brilynn | October 03, 2007 at 05:15 PM
So simple, yet so yummy.
Posted by: peabody | October 04, 2007 at 02:03 AM
I am obsessed with the stuff too - I eat mine with blueberries and honey...but I might have to try your version.
Posted by: Mallow | October 04, 2007 at 08:14 AM
Sher- I usually scoff at lowfat things...but I really like lowfat Fage. It is so rich and decadent wholefat might be an 11. I'm with you on the walnuts and honey too.
Posted by: Callipygia | October 04, 2007 at 04:28 PM
I discovered the joys of Greek yogurt just a short time ago and have become addicted. With walnuts and honey? Swoon!!
Posted by: Christine | October 04, 2007 at 06:23 PM