Zoh Recipes · Yogurt
For lassi, choose plain yogurt you can whisk smooth. For raita, start with well-set dahi. For a dip or a shrikhand-inspired dessert, use thick yogurt or prepared hung dahi. Taste first: tanginess and thickness vary between batches and brands.
Six ways to serve yogurt and dahi
Pudina-Jeera Lassi: A Savoury Yogurt Drink
Whisk plain yogurt with mint and roasted cumin for a savoury drink beside lunch.
Kachumber Yogurt Bowls with Roasted Jeera
Top thick yogurt with crisp cucumber, tomato and onion for a fresh meal accompaniment.
Roasted Capsicum and Jeera Yogurt Dip
Pair thick yogurt with cooled roasted capsicum for chilla or a vegetable platter.
Beetroot Dahi Raita with Roasted Jeera
Combine dahi and cooked, cooled beetroot for a colourful side with dal-rice or pulao.
Kesar-Elaichi Yogurt Dessert: Shrikhand-Inspired
Flavour thick yogurt with saffron and cardamom for small chilled dessert portions.
Pudina-Dhania Hung Dahi Dip
Fold fresh mint and coriander into thick yogurt for chilla, sandwiches or wraps.
Shopping outside India
Look for plain, unsweetened yogurt or natural yogurt. Greek-style yogurt can work in dips, but check thickness and the ingredient list rather than relying on the name alone. Vanilla yogurt is sweetened and flavoured, so it changes savoury recipes.
| Indian term | What to look for overseas |
|---|---|
| Pudina | Fresh mint |
| Dhania leaves | Coriander leaves or cilantro |
| Jeera | Cumin; roast and grind where the recipe specifies roasted jeera |
| Capsicum | Bell pepper |
| Elaichi | Cardamom |
| Kesar | Saffron |
Start here: make, fix or cook?
- New to the starter? Greek yogurt starter and instructions or Bulgarian yogurt starter and instructions.
- Batch not behaving as expected? Check the troubleshooting guide.
- Need a thicker dip? Drain successfully set dahi in the refrigerator.
Making your own yogurt first?
Explore the Greek yogurt starter culture or Bulgarian yogurt starter culture. Follow the instructions supplied with your particular starter before using the finished yogurt in these recipes. A starter culture is not a direct substitute for the finished yogurt in the ingredient list.
Make substitutions deliberately
Adjust water gradually for drinks, and taste before adding lemon or salt. Plain unsweetened soy yogurt can be an alternative, but flavour, thickness, allergens and nutrition differ. Do not assume a dairy starter will work with a plant-based drink.
Questions
Can I use the same yogurt for drinks and dips?
Yes. Keep a portion thick for dips, then whisk another portion with measured water for lassi. Add herbs, salt and fruit only to the portions you plan to serve.
Are the dairy-free versions nutritionally identical?
No. Compare the ingredient and nutrition labels of the yogurt you plan to use.
Where should I start?
Try the pudina-jeera lassi for a drink, beetroot raita for a meal accompaniment, or the hung dahi dip for a snack platter.
Explore all Zoh recipes · Learn about cultures
Serving illustrations show flavour and presentation ideas. These dishes use already fermented yogurt; mixing in herbs or vegetables is not a new fermentation.
