kitchen confidential

I only give a token nod to all those New Year detox diets. It’s cold and wet and if I’m hungry, I’m hungry. Popping a tub or two of Greek yoghurt into your shopping trolley though does make it look as if you’re making an effort and is surprisingly filling. Instead of toast for breakfast, try having a honey flavoured yoghurt either on its own or on cereal or porridge. Combine mayonnaise and yoghurt as a salad dressing. Mix yoghurt with cream to pour over desserts or fruit for a few less calories. Here are a few of my favourites:

Combine full fat Greek yoghurt, grated zest and juice of a lemon, crushed garlic, chopped fresh mint and salt and pepper for a tasty dip or to serve with roast lamb.

Whizz up preserved lemons, garlic, shallots, runny honey, a few chilli flakes, salt, pepper and full fat Greek yoghurt. Marinade chicken joints in this overnight before roasting.

Grated carrot, onion and celeriac combined with chopped apple make a superb winter salad when dressed with plain yoghurt and a good spoon of grainy mustard.

Toast crumpets and top with a dollop of flavoured Greek yoghurt. Sprinkle with brown sugar for an instant dessert. Even easier: combine stiffly whipped cream and yoghurt, spoon into a bowl and top with Demerara sugar. Leave to ‘set’ in the fridge.