Leveling Up Your Yogurt Game

A bowl of yogurt sits next to mango juice and a spoon. (Flora G. Huynh)

Yogurt can seem pretty boring. It’s smooth, white and reminds you of that time when you could only eat soft foods after getting your wisdom teeth taken out.

I would like to argue, however, that it can be exceptionally exciting.

The thing that makes it boring — its plain emptiness — is exactly what makes it so exciting.

Think of it as a blank canvas. Color it, dunk it in water, stab holes in it, do whatever you want. Because at the end of the day, it’s a vehicle for layers.

That said, yogurt does already come with its own layers. It’s just about how you pair different layers. Take for example, greek yogurt. It’s got that nice tang that can brighten any dish. Add a dollop on top of a savory dish to cut through the fat. Put some in your smoothie to add a beautiful probiotic creaminess. Just like paint on a canvas, your yogurt will be richer with layers of flavor.

Plain greek yogurt layered with granola, blueberries, banana, cacao nibs, and drizzled with almond butter and honey. (Flora G. Huynh)

To combat that sad but kind of funny memory of only being able to eat soft foods for a week, try adding some texture to your yogurt: granola, crushed nuts and seeds, cereal, vegetable chips, whatever you have on hand. I think that slight crunch is the most satisfying…