Greek Bliss

PASSIONS | by JEAN GALTON

HOW COULD A FERMENTED DAIRY PRODUCT possibly be described as blissful? Greek yogurt breaks all the rules. Even in its nonfat version, this lavishly creamy yogurt is heaven on the tongue.

© ANGIE NORWOOD BROWNE

What makes it different than regular yogurt? Greek yogurt begins life as the same thing, but then it’s strained to remove some of the whey. After that, you’re left with a thickened, remarkable cream that makes standard yogurt seem watery and flavorless.

So, do like the Greeks and eat it for breakfast with honey and chopped walnuts, or even topped with spoon sweets (a kind of uber-thick preserve.). But my idea of bliss is plain Greek yogurt with sliced, ripe nectarines and a drizzle of maple syrup.  And in tzatziki, of course, that classic, kicky, garlicky Greek sauce.

FIND IT: Fage yogurt (from Greece) is available all over the country. Stonyfield Farms now makes its own Greek yogurt, named Oikos. And Trader Joe’s and The Greek Gods have several versions as well.