Soak up the flavorful juices of these Mediterranean-spiced chicken skewers by resting them on grilled pita during the final stages of cooking in this dish from Ana Sortun, who uses yogurt’s natural acidity to tenderize tough cuts of meat. Get the recipe for Yogurt-Marinated Chicken Shawarma »

These refreshing frozen treats come from pastry chef Jen Yee at New York City’s Lafayette. Get the recipe Strawberry Rhubarb Yogurt Pops »

“Spices have always fascinated me. I collect them from all over the world,” says Giorgia Goggi, who accents this soup with Middle Eastern sumac and Indian garam masala. If you can’t find fresh yellow tomatoes, red will work just as well. Yellow Tomato Soup with Lamb Meatballs, Yogurt, and Mint »

The use of roses—petals and waters flavored with them—is common in Persian and Middle Eastern kitchens. Naz sprinkles the petals atop this tart, cooling yogurt sauce she serves with crispy rice dishes, and often with stews and meats. Get the recipe for Yogurt Cucumber Sauce with Rose Petals (Maast-o Khiar) »

This passion-fruit-drizzled cake gets its tangy moist crumb from yogurt. Get the recipe for Yogurt Bundt Cake with Passion Fruit Sauce »

Breakfast, brunch, or snack, we could serve (and eat) this quick-cured, no-cook fish dish from John Karangis of Union Square Events, any time of day. It works exceptionally well as a summer starter, served with a savory lime yogurt and refreshing cubes of ripe watermelon, then sprinkled with flecks of shichimi togarashi: a spicy, tangy, earthy Japanese spice mix. Get the recipe Cured Fluke with Yogurt, Watermelon, Sunflower Seeds, and Togarashi »

Garlicky lamb and rice baked under a thick, tart veil of yogurt is a dish beloved throughout Albania. Get the recipe for Albanian Baked Lamb and Rice with Yogurt (Tave Kosi) »

This cooling yogurt mix can be served as relish, dip, salad, or side.

Icelandic Skyr

This potato curry recipe uses yogurt for a sauce, thickened with chickpea flour. Get the recipe for Potatoes and Peas in Yogurt Sauce

For a twist on the classic Waldorf salad, try tossing sweet apples with crisp watercress and nutty kohlrabi in a sumac-infused yogurt dressing.

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Labneh, a thick strained yogurt, is the base for this vanilla-spiked tart.

Spinach, Chive, and Yogurt Soup with Grilled Scallions

Matt Taylor-Gross

This basic raita is a cooling counterpoint to fiery foods, thanks to its foundation of full-fat yogurt, cucumber, and mint. Plum tomatoes add a hint of acid, Thai chiles heat, and cumin a slight earthiness.

Chilled Yogurt and Chickpea Soup

This zippy raita gets its punch from green Thai chiles and its sweetness from pineapple. A piquant mixture of black mustard seeds, dried red chiles, and curry leaves lends the sauce an earthy spice. Get the recipe for Spicy Pineapple Yogurt (Kaitha Chaka Pachadi) »

A seasoned coconut chicken curry is tempered with yogurt.

Chickpea flour acts as a stabilizer, preventing yogurt from curdling in this aromatic soup.

At the Indian table, a variety of yogurt-based raitas mollify the tongue-searing effect of chiles. This version, made fruity and sweet with the addition of coconut and banana, is adapted from Foods of the World: The Cooking of India (Time Life, 1969). Get the recipe for Yogurt with Banana and Grated Coconut »

Our version of the classic is lighter, fresher, and brighter than what you’ll get at most restaurants. Get the recipe for Chicken Tikka Masala »

In the Horn of Africa, they serve a version of panzanella tossed not with fresh tomatoes, but with a rich, spicy tomato stew. Crusty bread soaks up the juices and cooling yogurt provides contrast and sweet relief. Get the recipe for Eritrean Spicy Tomato Bread Salad with Yogurt (Fata) »

Cumin and other savory spices combine with mint, cilantro, and chile to flavor this Bangladeshi yogurt drink. Get the recipe for Bangladeshi Spiced Yogurt Drink (Burhani) »

Rice and garbanzos add body to this vegetarian soup laced with fresh greens and herbs. Serve it chilled—as we have done—or, if you prefer, just slightly warmed. Get the recipe for Cold Yogurt and Herb Soup with Chickpeas »

Pistachios, cardamom seeds, and saffron are mixed into yogurt to make this cool and creamy dessert.

Light, tangy yogurt replaces rich mayonnaise in the herb-laced dressing for this salad.

Use the ripest, sweetest, smoothest mangos you can find, such as Champagne or Haitian varieties, for this creamy and refreshing yogurt-enriched fruit shake. Get the recipe for Mango Lassi (Indian Mango Yogurt Drink) »