Yogurt

The semolina bakes into a crunchy layer on the top and bottom but stays moist and delicate within.

For this updated creamsicle-inspired recipe, we swapped the icy orange layer for a creamy citrus curd and paired it with alternating layers of a sweet-tart frozen yogurt.

There’s no law that says watermelon salads must incorporate feta. This renegade combination is at once sweet, tart, and savory—the kind of dish that’s as comfortable at the breakfast table as it is at a potluck.

This dressing is also great as a dip, and most of the vegetables listed here can be left in bigger pieces and treated as crudités instead.

Ras-el-hanout is a Moroccan spice blend that contains several warming spices (such as cinnamon and nutmeg) with a little ginger and chile for heat. If you can’t find it, use garam masala instead.

Think of this as a universal buttermilk ranch dressing that you could use to dunk your veggies or onion rings or drizzle onto your pizza.

The crisp-skinned salmon is warmed up with spices and the sweetness of carrots. Then it's cooled down with one of the most refreshing combinations of all time: cucumbers and yogurt.

Vadouvan is sweeter and more aromatic than the typical curry, but Madras curry powder will work in a pinch.

Like a lighter riff on a classic French onion dip, this yogurt-based dip is just begging for chips or crackers. The texture will make you pause before reaching for sour cream–based ever again. We suggest using low-fat Greek yogurt (we like Fage and Wallaby brands). Fat-free is astringent and chalky, and the richness of full-fat can drown out other flavors.

You can make these blueberry muffins with just all-purpose flour, but using whole wheat too gives them a heartier, nuttier flavor. 

Dates get even more Middle Eastern, dunked in tahini.

Honey-sweetened yogurt with dates and rhubarb is perfect for snack time, breakfast, or dessert.

Maitake mushrooms are a tasty addition to this meatless meal. Cooking them until they are crisp around the edges will give them a delicate crunch.

“I love peppery radishes with cooling yogurt—so good on grilled chicken or fish.” –Dawn Perry, senior food editor

Savoy cabbage is a bright green, hearty member of the brassica family. Lightly braised with chickpeas and mustard, it becomes a vegetable worthy of a main course.

Mujadarra is a popular Middle Eastern side dish comprised of lentils and rice. Here, it's perfumed with cumin and finished with yogurt. Serve along side roasted chicken or with a fried egg as a meal on its own.

For this chicken tikka masala recipe, the yogurt helps tenderize the chicken; the garlic, ginger, and spices in the marinade infuse it with lots of flavor.

This cooling raita, or yogurt sauce, is a popular condiment for Indian feasts. It's also great with lamb chops.