Greek yogurt is one of my favourite snack foods. It is rich, thick and high in protein due to the method in which it is prepared. According to Wikipedia, “milk is strained in a cloth or paper bag or filter to remove the whey, giving a consistency between that of yogurt and cheese, while preserving yoghurt’s distinctive sour taste”. Even though it’s very thick like sour cream, the yogurt can actually be made fat free (due to the straining process).
Greek yogurt can be eaten as is or it can be used in baked goods to reduce the amount of fat, used as a sour cream substitute or stirred into smoothies, soups and sauces to add richness. It’s a great way to add quality protein to your diet.
I’ve been eating cow’s milk Greek yogurt for years so I was quite excited to find goat’s milk Greek yogurt from Noble Meadows Farm (sold at the Broxburn booth). Goat’s milk yogurt is tangier and tarter than cow’s milk varieties, making it a natural match for the sweetness of honey. The two balance each other beautifully.
While I was in Greece last year, I discovered one of their local culinary specialties, thyme honey - a deliciously thick honey with a citrusy & floral flavour. This honey, drizzled on top of their fabulous yogurt, was unforgettable! Even thought I’m back in Calgary, I found an easy way to create a great thyme-infused honey on my own. With so many great Alberta-produced honeys available at the Kingsland Market (at Jammin’ It, Community Natural Foods and Arrowwood Colony booths), it only takes this simple trick to take plain honey to another flavourful level! If you’re not a thyme fan, you can use many other herbs to create a flavour-infused honey. Try using lavender, rosemary, mint, sage or basil instead.
Thyme-Infused Honey with Toasted Pistachios and Greek Goat Yogurt
1 cup honey
1 bunch of fresh thyme, washed and patted dry
1 container of Noble Farms Greek Yogurt (~2 cups)
Handful of shelled pistachios, chopped and toasted
Pour honey into a small saucepan. Submerge the thyme bunch into the honey and heat on medium-low until simmering (don’t boil) for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 1 hour. Remove the thyme bundle and strain the honey through a sieve to remove most of the remaining thyme leaves. Store in a glass jar.
Meanwhile, heat a dry skillet on medium heat. Add the pistachios to the pan and toast until the nuts are slightly browned and fragrant (keep an eye on them and stir often so they don’t burn!). Remove from heat and allow to cool.
To assemble: Dollop Greek yogurt into a bowl, drizzle with thyme honey and sprinkle with pistachios. Easy!
You can use the remaining thyme honey in other ways: baked into a lemony shortbread, incorporated into a honey-Dijon dressing on a leafy green salad, drizzled over baked chicken, ham or duck breast. I read online that thyme honey can even help ease cold and flu symptoms! It’s a versatile product!
Until next week… enjoy something new!
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My name is Heather Johansen. I used to be a lazy, overweight, TV-dinner-eater with no idea how to prepare healthy, great tasting foods. Tired of the microwave monotony, I took a cooking class and started to experiment in the kitchen (and exercising!). By learning how to cook for myself, I lost weight and kept it off but have also discovered a passion for turning ordinary ingredients into healthy & delicious fare.
I love finding new-to-me ingredients and experiencing their exciting flavours. Kingsland Farmer’s Market is an awesome place to seek out interesting food finds. Not only do they carry a vast amount of uncommon foods but so many of them are locally grown or produced. The options are endless and change with the seasons. Once you think beyond the usual farmer’s market finds, you’d be surprised how creative you can be!
My blog posts will focus on take an unfamiliar ingredient – a “Hidden Gem” found at Kingsland Market – and I’ll show you how to prepare it! Cooking can sometimes be intimidating, especially when you don’t know how to approach a food. I want you to embrace the challenge of creating a delicious, nourishing meal or snack from any ingredient. Join me in the excitement of trying something new!
