Monday, September 7, 2009

Final Oikos Greek Yogurt Post & Strawberry Pretzel Salad for My Girl Paula


I want to start off by announcing the winner of the "Pitch Your Own Food Network Show" contest. Congratulations Pam of Sidewalk Shoes! Pam is the random winner of three Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics products: Ocean Salt (an exfoliating scrub for face & body), Lemony Flutter (a lemony cuticle cream), and Up You Gets (a citrusy shower aromatherapy product). Pam's concept for a food network show was to feature a selected herb for each show, making an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Great idea Pam!

Secondly, this week's My Girl Paula recipe is Strawberry Pretzel Salad. This salad is somewhat like a pie. It is made with a pretzel crust, a cream cheese layer, and topped with strawberries and strawberry jello. This is a recipe that I have ate before and enjoyed, especially in the summertime. It is a good dish to take to a summer potluck. Paula's version also includes crushed pineapple, but I didn't have any so I left it out. We enjoyed this recipe for it's salty and sweet flavors. You can find the recipe here.

Lastly, this is my last week of posting recipes for Oikos Greek Yogurt. A big thanks to Kristina at Stonyfield for sending me such a generous pack of coupons! I was able to try my hand at a variety of recipes. The first week I made Martha's Date Bran Muffins and Tyler's Greek Yogurt. The second week, I made the Food Network's Almost-Famous frozen yogurt. The following week, I made an Apple-Walnut Turkey Sandwich , using the Greek yogurt in place of mayo as a sandwich dressing. Last week, I made these decadent looking Loaded Mashed Potatoes , using the Greek yogurt to replace the sour cream.

This week I have two recipes for you! You simply can't feature Greek yogurt and not do a smoothie recipe. It just wouldn't be right! As a tribute to summer, I have chosen two of my favorite summertime fruits, the peach and the raspberry, and combined them into one smoothie; The Peach Melba Smoothie. It was super delicious, unique, and healthy.

Peach Melba Smoothie - courtesy of Recipezaar, adapted by me
1/2 cup frozen raspberries
1 cup frozen peaches
1 cup low-fat milk
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 frozen banana (optional)

Whisk in a blender and serve.

This smoothie was thick, like a milkshake, creamy, refreshing, cold and best of all....different from the same old strawberry-banana smoothie. You can even add a tablespoon of wheat germ if you like.
I did try one more recipe with the Greek yogurt that is really unique! At work, we have face masks made with yogurt. Yogurt is terrific for your skin as it smoothes, pampers, moisturizes and tightens your skin. It will remove traces of dirt, pollution and makeup from pores. You can use plain yogurt, or even blueberry, strawberry or honey. It all depends on your skin type. Any fruit, such as blueberries or strawberries acts as an antioxidant removing dead skin and revealing new and glowing skin. Here is a basic recipe for a face mask using Greek yogurt, or even regular yogurt:

Dry Skin - 1 Cup yogurt
1 Tablespoon honey (honey brightens skin and retains moisture)

Oily Skin- 1 Cup yogurt
Couple drops of lemon (acid cuts excess oil on skin)

* Leave the mask on for about 30 minutes and rinse off!

Now onto the giveaway!!! Kristina at Stonyfield offered to share more coupons and goodies with a winner!
The winner will receive:
2 FREE 16 OZ. OIKOS COUPONS
4 FREE 5.3 OZ OIKOS COUPONS
$4 WORTH OF STONYFIELD COUPONS
OIKOS SPATULA & RECIPE CARD SET

All you need to do is leave a comment telling me your favorite way to use Greek Yogurt! It's that simple. If you have never used Greek Yogurt, then pick a way that you would like to use it. Giveaway is open to all! Comments will close this Friday at midnight and winner will be pulled in a random drawing, which will be announced this Saturday morning! Good luck : )

21 comments:

  1. Am I the only one that hasn't tried Greek yogurt? I'd love a chance to win. I'd love to try it in place of sour cream. Thanks!

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  2. I love layering Greek yogurt with maple syrup or honey, fresh fruit and granola....fantastic breakfast!

    Also, there is NOTHING like tzatziki made with real Greek yogurt! Thick and amazing!

    Great recipes! Oh and I'd love to be entered in the contest!

    Hugs, Amanda

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  3. Both recipes look delicious! And I love making smoothie at home; it is just so delicious!

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  4. I love the look of that smoothie. Gorgeous! It is amazing how versatile greek yogurt is because it goes with sweet as well as savoury. It can go be great like how you made it, in a smoothie, and also with meat in a taziki. I don't really know of any other food like it. OH, and plus its yummy :D

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  5. That smoothie looks so thick and delicious...and I'm loving that pretzel salad/pie looking dish, mmmmm! I love to use Greek yogurt in quick breads...keeps them moist and adds an unexpected tang. :)

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  6. I am totally hooked on Greek yogurt - I use it for baking all the time now. But I think my favorite way to use it is just straight from the container!

    And I never knew it could be used as a facial. I might be tempted to lick it off!

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  7. First off thanks for commenting on my blog. I appreciate it!

    Second, that smoothie is calling my name! I love yogurt in smoothies, because it makes them so much creamier. I've added it to popsicles and in baking. But I love it with fruit and granola best.

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  8. I sometimes use Greek yogurt in my Chicken Tikka Masala :)

    Great job on the Strawberry Salad... yours looks great!

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  9. Glad you liked the pretzel salad. I thought it was actually a little better left over. Your smoothie looks awesome!

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  10. That pretzel salad sounds like a perfect blend of savory and sweet--I just bookmarked it! :o)

    I love using Greek yogurt as a mayo swap.

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  11. I've only ever used it for one thing (besides eating straight from the container!) and I have done it over and over since it's so good - Greek Yogurt Cupcakes from recipeshoebox.blogspot.com

    I would love to try it using all these ideas!

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  12. wow this looks fabulous!!!! My fav way to use greek yogurt is for making Tzatziki - omg so delicious!

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  13. I just happened on you blog while "surfing". OMG...it's as if you cook just for ME! I loved everything you have shown. I know nothing about Greek yogurt, I'll have to check into that!
    I am SO stalking, ummmm I mean following, you!
    ♥,Lilly

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  14. who knew you could do so much with yogurt, awesome! the salad looks so good too!

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  15. Thanks for the win! I'm so excited!

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  16. I made the Strawberry Pretzel Salad this weekend and it was great! We really enjoyed it! Thanks so much for the tip on the yogurt and using it as a facial. I just bought a huge container of plain non fat yogurt and now I know what I can do with the left over contents thanks to you :)

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  17. I have been loving following your greek yogurt posts! Such versatile stuff. I usually just eat it plain or with some honey and cinnamon but I've been meaning to try it as a mayo replacement. One of these days, I will actually get around to it!

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  18. I like Greek yogurt with dried fruit and wheat germ. Sometimes a drop of honey and I am good to go!

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  19. I am not sure there is a kosher Greek Yogurt. I would use it to make summer fruit treats if it happens to be kosher. Just call me troublemaker.

    By the way, I posted another Rocky Road Brownie recipe from Tyler on Chaya's Comfy Cook Blog. http://comfycook.wordpress.com/

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  20. I make a southwestern chicken salad that uses greek yogurt in the dressing. It's absolutely delicious. Second runner up would be using it in Tzatziki sauce for chicken gyros. It's awesome on a baked potato instead of sour cream as well.

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  21. Hi,

    I really like your blog, I will bookmark and comeback later.
    thank you..
    saddy

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