Yoghurt

This recipe for eggplants baked in the oven with yogurt sauce is a true embodiment of simplicity and sophistication of European cuisine. Eggplants baked to a golden crust acquire a tender, slightly sweet texture, while aromatic spices enhance their natural flavor. The yogurt sauce with sumac and lemon zest adds a fresh tang to the dish, creating the perfect balance. This dish can be served as a side or light appetizer and pairs excellently with meat and vegetable dishes. Its roots trace back to Mediterranean culinary traditions where eggplants often serve as the main ingredient. Baked eggplants absorb the aroma of spices, and their softness combined with the refreshing sauce makes this dish a true gastronomic delight.

Flourless yogurt pie is a light, airy dessert perfect for those who want to enjoy sweetness while avoiding flour. Its history stems from culinary experiments in healthy eating, where traditional ingredients were replaced with alternatives. The pie's flavor is delicate, slightly creamy, with a subtle tang from the yogurt that harmonizes with the fluffiness of whipped egg whites. It’s ideal for a light breakfast or cozy tea time. The absence of flour gives the pie a very tender, almost soufflé-like texture. It can be served as a standalone dessert or complemented with fresh berries and honey to enhance flavor nuances. This pie is a great choice for lovers of light and healthy baking.

The recipe was shared with us by the chef of the Sapiens restaurant Ilya Blagoveshchensky.

Apple and celery stalk salad is a light and refreshing dish, perfect for summer days or as a side to a main meal. This salad combines the crunch of fresh celery with the juiciness of sweet apples, creating a unique balance of flavors. Historically, dishes featuring celery were highly valued in European cuisine for their refreshing aroma and health benefits. The dressing made from Greek yogurt with Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil adds creaminess and a hint of tang to the salad. It's an excellent option for those who focus on healthy eating and prefer natural ingredients. Easy to prepare and incredibly tasty, this salad will become a favorite recipe in the arsenal of fresh and healthy food lovers.

This light and refreshing sauce based on Greek yogurt is a versatile ingredient in European cuisine. Its origin can be linked to the traditions of Mediterranean gastronomy, where simplicity and naturalness take center stage. The delicate texture of yogurt, the mild spiciness of Dijon mustard, and the tanginess of lemon juice create a harmonious balance of flavors. The addition of olive oil gives the sauce creaminess, while spices and herbs add subtle aromatic depth. This snow-white sauce is perfect for dressing fresh salads, can be used as a dip for snacks, and pairs excellently with meat and poultry. If garlic and herbs are added, it becomes a complete ingredient for light shawarma or a companion to crispy nuggets. The simplicity of preparation and richness of flavor make it an indispensable element of everyday diet.

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce that has become a symbol of Mediterranean cuisine. Its refreshing taste combines the mild spiciness of garlic and the freshness of cucumbers, creating a delicate and aromatic balance. Greek yogurt gives the sauce a creamy consistency, while olive oil and lime add a light citrus note. Tzatziki perfectly complements meat dishes, especially gyros and kebabs, and pairs well with vegetables and pita. Its origins trace back to ancient Greece, where it was used not only as a sauce but also as an independent dish. Today it is served in many countries, appreciated for its lightness, freshness, and versatility.

A light salad of Beijing cabbage and crab sticks is a delicate and refreshing dish that is perfect as an appetizer or light dinner. Its base is juicy Beijing cabbage, adding crunchiness, while crab sticks add a sweet marine note. Refreshing cucumbers and aromatic dill make the taste even more harmonious, and a spicy sauce made from Greek yogurt with mustard and lemon juice gives the dish a refined tanginess. This dish is often found in European cuisine due to its simplicity and balanced flavor. It pairs perfectly with crispy toasts or a soft baguette and is great for festive or everyday tables.

Greek yogurt with granola, baked apple, and pomelo is a harmony of flavors and textures that combines the creamy softness of yogurt, crunchy granola, the spicy warmth of baked apple, and the refreshing citrus note of pomelo. This dessert, inspired by Mediterranean traditions, blends health benefits with sophistication. Greek yogurt is known for its thickness and rich flavor; granola adds a pleasant contrast while baked apples with cinnamon provide a cozy caramelized touch. Pomelo completes the composition with its slight bitterness and juiciness, creating a fresh balance. This recipe is perfect for breakfast or a light snack, offering a boost of energy and pleasure. Its simplicity makes it accessible while the combination of ingredients is unforgettable. Each spoonful is a small journey into the world of taste delights!

Cupcakes are a classic dessert of American cuisine, featuring a delicate, airy texture and rich flavor. The origins of this treat date back to the 19th century when individual portions of baked goods became popular among housewives. This version includes tart-sweet cherries that pair wonderfully with the buttery batter, vanilla notes, and a light citrus freshness from lemon zest. Yogurt adds extra softness while baking powder ensures fluffiness. These miniature cupcakes are perfect for morning coffee or afternoon tea, creating a cozy atmosphere of home indulgence. Baked to a golden hue, they fill the kitchen with warmth and aromas of vanilla and butter, making each bite a true delight.

Tuna and bean salad is a light and nutritious dish that combines the freshness of vegetables with the rich flavor of seafood. The history of such salads traces back to Mediterranean culinary traditions where fish, greens, and legumes were often combined. The star ingredient here is tuna – tender, salty, and protein-rich. Red beans add texture and mild sweetness while fresh cucumber provides crunch and juiciness. A dressing made from Greek yogurt with mustard and lemon juice adds zest and highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients. This salad is perfect for a quick dinner or nutritious snack; it pairs well with whole grain toast or fresh herbs. Its simplicity in preparation makes it indispensable in everyday menus, bringing freshness and health to every meal.

Salad with mussels, cheese, and grapes is a refined combination of seafood, dairy notes, and sweet freshness. This recipe unites contrasts: the tenderness of mussels, the creamy taste of mozzarella, and the juicy sweetness of grapes. Dressed with Greek yogurt, it gains lightness while flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds add a crunchy texture. Teriyaki and rosemary bring spicy accents that deepen the flavor. Perhaps this salad is inspired by Russian cuisine's desire to integrate exquisite ingredients into simple yet sophisticated dishes. It is perfect for a festive dinner or romantic evening, highlighting gastronomic elegance. Enjoy this dish paired with white wine that will accentuate its multifaceted flavor nuances.

Duck and kiwi salad is an exquisite dish that combines the tenderness of roasted duck meat with the refreshing tartness of kiwi. This unusual combination entered Russian cuisine thanks to the experiments of gourmets seeking to blend traditional flavors with exotic notes. Duck meat, slowly roasted with Adyghe salt, acquires a rich aroma and tenderness, while kiwi and apples add freshness and lightness. Cream cheese serves as a delicate base, and Greek yogurt makes the dish velvety. This salad is perfect for a festive table, surprising guests with its unusual harmony of flavors. It pairs especially well with white wine and light appetizers.

Rabbit and avocado salad is a refined dish that combines tender rabbit meat, the creamy texture of avocado, and the sweetness of prunes. The roots of such salads can be found in Russian cuisine, where the combination of meat with fruits and dairy products is valued. The roasted meat becomes tender, and its flavor is enhanced by Greek yogurt, adding creamy notes. Avocado brings freshness, while cottage cheese makes the dish even richer. This salad is perfect for a festive table – it is both light and nutritious, and its flavor combination unfolds harmoniously in every bite. It is recommended to serve it chilled to fully appreciate the tenderness of the ingredients and the balance of textures.

Hasselback is a Swedish invention. The idea is to serve simple products like potatoes, celery or pumpkin so that they look as festive as possible. To do this, the tuber or any other vegetable of suitable density and size is effectively cut into an accordion shape and the filling is put into these cuts. The version of the filling from Mikhail Kurokhtin, the chef of the Midsummer restaurant, is beef bacon and smoked cheddar. But you can put, for example, slices of Tambov ham or smoked eel into the accordion potato, and if you want to get a purely vegetarian dish, then fried eggplant.

The recipe is taken from the book "Holiday salads and appetizers. Very simple.