The Simplest Yogurt Sauce

MAKES: 1 cup

TIME: 3 minutes

You might not even think of this as sauce, but I swear, if you use it on grilled or roasted vegetables or as a dip, people will think you're a genius. Add a few drops of lemon juice if your yogurt isn't quite sour enough, which is sometimes the case.

1 cup yogurt, preferably whole milk

1 teaspoon minced garlic

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Freshly squeezed lemon juice if necessary

Combine the yogurt with the garlic, a pinch of salt, and a grind or two of pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding the lemon juice if necessary.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a few hours; bring back to near room temperature before serving.

6 Uses for Yogurt Sauce

Any of the yogurt sauces can be used in myriad different ways. Some ideas:

1. Thin with a little lemon juice and olive oil and use as a salad dressing.
2. Top grilled or steamed vegetables or baked potatoes.
3. Use as a dip for raw veggies or chips.
4. Stir into cooked rice or other grains for extra creaminess, body, flavor, and protein.
5. Cook on top of roasted vegetables as you might cheese (don't overcook, but add during the last 5 or 10 minutes of cooking).
6. For a more complex fruit salad, stir into chopped raw fruit.