Hema's Yogurt Cheese Dip & Sandwich Spread

It is amazing how a few simple ingredients can turn out into something so delicious! Use this spread with your favorite veggies and bread slices for a lovely snack; or serve as a dip with fresh veggies and/or your favorite chips. If cilantro is not your favorite herb, others such as Italian flat-leaf parsley, basil, dill, mint, etc may be used.

Ingredients:

2 Cups plain yogurt

1 clove Garlic, minced

1 small bunch Cilantro, finely chopped

1 small green chili, deseeded and finely chopped

1 pinch of Salt

Squeeze of lime of lemon (Optional)

Method:

Dip a large clean square of muslin cloth such as a large cotton napkin in fresh water and wring out well; shake out and place in a colander set over a bowl. The cloth should be large enough to hang over the colander.

Place all of the yogurt on the napkin in the colander and bring the ends together and loosely tie together. Set the whole thing in the refrigerator so that the yogurt can drain undisturbed for several hours or overnight.

Check the bowl underneath and pour out periodically to insure that the whey is not overflowing the container.

Remove the yogurt bag and scrape out all the drained yogurt into a bowl; discard the whey that drained from it.

Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Add the optional lemon/lime juice if the yogurt has no tartness at all; the lemon/lime will brighten the flavors as well.

Allow to rest for about 10 minutes for the flavors to develop and serve with veggies or chips as a dip or use as a sandwich spread.

Sandwiches: You can make traditional or open-faced sandwiches to show off the veggie toppings.

Ingredients:

Whole Grain Bread Slices

Cucumber, thinly sliced

Radishes, thinly sliced

Ripe Tomato, seeded and thinly sliced

Herbs/edible blossoms of your choice

Spinach leaves, Shredded Cabbage, Romaine or Boston lettuce, etc.

Salt and Freshly ground Black Pepper

Spread the yogurt spread on one side of the bread slices and top with veggies and herbs; lightly sprinkle with salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste.

Cut into desired shapes and sizes and serve open-faced garnished with herbs and blossoms.

If you wish, cover with another slice of bread spread with the yogurt mixture for traditional style sandwiches. Enjoy!