Simplest Yogurt Sauce

Good yogurt is sour and rich, practically a sauce itself; add a little salt and you’re set. The recipe and variations here build on that idea, adding various seasonings or chopped vegetables in the traditions of (mostly) India— where yogurt sauces are called raitas—and the Middle East. You can make your own yogurt, but good yogurt is sold in stores too; just avoid those containing gelatin or pectin or lacking live cultures. Good yogurt may be thick or thin, it may have a hard, almost cream cheese layer on top, or it may not, but it always has a fresh, sweet-sour smell and delicious flavor. If you want a slightly thicker sauce, drain the yogurt for 15 minutes or so before starting .

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 grinding or two of pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding some lemon juice if necessary.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a few hours; bring back to near room temperature before serving.

Herbed Yogurt Sauce.
• Add 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs or to taste.
• Use mint leaves, parsley, dill, cilantro, or any other tender herb. A teaspoon of dried mint or dill is also acceptable (other dried herbs are not as good).
  Onion Yogurt Sauce.
  • Add a tablespoon or more minced onion, shallot, or scallion; you can omit the garlic or not, as you like.
  Richer Yogurt Sauce.
  • Top with a tablespoon or so of good extra virgin olive oil, along with a sprinkling of paprika or cumin if you like.
  Avocado Yogurt Sauce.
  • Stir in (or purée in a food processor) 1/2 ripe avocado or more, along with a little extra lemon juice.
  Raita (Cucumber Yogurt Sauce).
  • The classic Indian yogurt sauce: Add about 1 cup cucumber, peeled if you like, seeded, and chopped (and salted if necessary ); or peeled, seeded, cored, and diced tomato; or any mixture of vegetables, like those you’d use in Chopped Salad, Five Ways
    
  Ginger Yogurt Sauce.
  • Stir in a tablespoon or so of minced fresh ginger.
• MAKES: 1 cup
• TIME: 3 minutes