Monday, September 5, 2011

Oikos Greek Yogurt Review and Recipe too!



I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own.

For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos  I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I didn't grow up eating Yogurt, and as a result hadn't really developed a taste for it. That was until BlogHer 2010 last year where I tried one that I really liked, and after that it created a monster! Earlier this  year I had the opportunity to attend a cooking class at the International Culinary Council in New York City where I learned to incorporate Yogurt into my favorite recipes, substituting more fattening items from the recipes with Yogurt instead. (You can read more about that experience HERE and you can also read the recipes I've posted under the 'healthify your summer with Fage' summer series).

Because I'm a bit of a 'late comer' to the joys of Yogurt, I find myself always trying new ones when I see them at the Supermarket. Especially now that I've begun incorporating them into recipes, I like trying out different yogurt brands in the same recipes to figure out which ones work best in which recipes.

I have lost 26 pounds so far this year by making small lifestyle changes including recipe substitutions. I've actually always been pretty good about NOT skipping breakfast before running out the door, but I have also included more Yogurt in the morning instead of those popular fast food egg, ham, and cheese biscuits and have noticed that I have more energy through the mornings with a much healthier and better for me way to get my protein!

I had a chance to try Stonyfield yogurt earlier this year when I took a Zumba Fitness Class with Degree for women and really liked it, so when I was recently was offered the opportunity to try out Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt I jumped at the chance. But was a bit disappointed that John Stamos was not hand delivering it! (I think it would have tasted better if he delivered it to me directly! wink, wink) I thought I'd try using it in a recipe and was delighted to find a recipe for Tandoori Chicken under their Dannon Smart Swap Recipes page.

Tandoori Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients
  • 16 chicken tenderloins
  • 6 dried red chilis
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 teaspoons ground coriander seeds
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 4 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground clove
  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cups Stonyfield® Oikos® Greek Plain Yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
  1. Make 2-3 slashes in chicken pieces and place in a nonmetallic dish. Set aside.
  2. In a food processor, mix the red chilies, salt, pepper, lime juice, garlic, ginger, clove and chili powder.
  3. Transfer to a small skillet and heat over low heat until aromatic.
  4. Add the onion and cook over low heat. Stir in the yogurt and remove skillet from heat.
  5. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  6. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or over night.
  7. Arrange the chicken on a broiler tray and cook under a preheated broiler or over a barbecue for 20 to 30 minutes, turning just once.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Yields: 8 Servings

I forgot to snap a picture of this when it was done, although I may not have had a chance even if I had remembered because as soon as this came out the oven, everyone congregated in the kitchen quicker than ever! There was NONE of this left over!

And if the recipe above didn't sell  you, then I'm sure this will:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Dannon® Oikos® Plain and Fruit on the Bottom contains 0% fat, while the Dannon® Oikos® traditional blended varieties contains about 3% fat. Both are an excellent source of protein, twice that of most regular lowfat yogurts.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dannon® Oikos® 0% varieties contain active yogurt cultures and range from 80 calories (Plain) to 130 calories (Fruit on the Bottom) per 5.3 oz. cup.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ- Oikos is proud to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and by liking their page on Facebook they will donate funds for every like, they also offer other ways to help once you get there. You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves brands that give back!

I tried out the plain Dannon Oikos in the Tandoori Chicken recipe above and purchased the Key Lime flavor as well to try out the 'Greek Key Lime Pie Cake' recipe, but I haven't had a chance to make it yet, I will let you know how it comes out when I make it later in the week!

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own. And I really have lost 26 pounds via lifestyle changes this year!

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