What type of yogurt is most similar to the yogurt used in authentic Middle-Eastern cuisine?
While looking at different recipes to make "yogurt sauce" commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine, I noticed a descrepancy between the type of yogurt the recipe calls for. Some recipe calls for plain low fat yogurt, others calls for plain Greek yogurt, and then in this recipe, it calls for strained plain yogurt: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/tzatziki-sauce-yogurt-and-cucumber-dip/.
What type of yogurt should be used to make the most authentic yogurt sauce? Is there a specific type of yogurt or specific brand that most closely resemble the yogurt used in the Middle East?
Best Answer
Greek yogurt is simply strained yogurt. It was only fairly recently that Greek yogurt was widely available in the United States, so prior to wide availability, a simple substitute was to strain normal yogurt.
The type of sauce you are trying to make would definitely use a strained yogurt. Whether you wanted to strain your own or buy strained yogurt (aka Greek yogurt) is really up to you. In Greece, sheep's milk was traditionally used for yogurt, but now there's a lot more cow's milk too, so either would be authentic. I would think that full fat would be the most authentic, but not the healthiest, as I doubt low fat varieties were used traditionally (if they even existed).
The American use of the term Greek yogurt is really just one of branding. Many other areas in the middle east use the same style of strained yogurt. The Greeks also have plenty of normal (unstrained) yogurt.
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What kind of yogurt is used in Middle Eastern cooking?
Thick yogurt is preferred for making the Middle Eastern recipe fattee\u2014for both its deeper flavor and its lower moisture content (so that the pita in the dish won't get too soggy). If you can't find laban, you may easily make a reasonable substitute yourself.Is Middle Eastern yogurt the same as Greek yogurt?
Labneh is a bit thicker than Greek yogurt - almost like soft cream cheese. In tradition, Greek yogurt is made from goats milk while labneh is made from cow's milk. It's tangier and creamier than yogurt, and it's meant to be eaten with savory ingredients.What is Arabic yogurt called?
What exactly is Labneh? Tangy, thick, and creamy, labneh (also known as labnah or labne) is basically yogurt cheese. Just like Greek yogurt, it is made by straining yogurt until it loses most of its liquid. If you think of Greek yogurt as strained yogurt, labneh is extra strained yogurt. Labneh making is simple.Is Greek yogurt the same as Lebanese yogurt?
Main Differences. The main difference between the two yogurts is... the texture. Greek yogurt is much lighter and silkier than Labneh. Labneh has a thicker texture because the excess whey of Greek Yogurt is strained out, leaving you with a highly concentrated yogurt product.Which Yogurt to choose Greek yogurts standard Yogurts
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Answer 2
Actually "Greek Yogurt" is a bit misleading of a name. The Levant region, the area around Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Jordan is where this type of yogurt is from and consumed. Less so in Southwestern Europe (Greece), where it is used mostly as a dessert. It is actually called Labneh which is derived from the Arabic word Laban (yoghurt), and it is simply instead strained yogurt. The term Greek Yogurt probably came about from marketing purposes to the western world. My mother is Lebanese and I grew up eating Labneh almost everyday and it is very easy to make, you should give it a try. Just take plain yogurt (lowfat unflavored) and put it in a cloth bag, you can make one out of muslin fabric. Leave it hang in a sink overnight or a bit longer and you are done.
Also, if you are looking for a middle eastern brand there are plenty but you might need to visit a Middle East import store, I have seen Labneh at Whole Foods also. Sometimes it goes by the name of Lebni as well. Hope it helps!
Answer 3
Strained plain yogurt (here's a good tutorial for doing this at home) or Greek yogurt will both work well. Some brands of 'Greek' yogurt in the US contain gelatin or other thickeners; if you choose this route, try to find one containing only milk and cultures.
You might also consider making your own yogurt.
Answer 4
I am not an expert, but I have just been to Crete. Authentic Greek yogurt uses goat milk or sheep milk, or a combination of both; and full fat. From what I have read, most commercial yogurts are just Greek-style, and without thickeners and additives. That recipe probably means Greek-style, which is strained, whatever percentage milk-fat is used. Plain just means it is not flavored. Some traditional Greeks do not even strain their yogurt.
Answer 5
Fage strained Greek Yogurt is pretty much the best around.
Answer 6
Greek or greek style is the best, if you can't find that look at plain natural yoghurt.
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