Lo-Cal Dressing

This is basically a quick tzatziki dressed up as a salad dressing. Plain yogurt, half a cucumber, crushed garlic, and fresh mint get mixed together into a creamy, tangy dressing that coats greens without the oil and calories of a vinaigrette.

The cucumber does more than add crunch. It releases moisture that thins the yogurt to a pourable consistency naturally, so you don’t need to add extra liquid. Leave the cucumber unpeeled for flecks of green color and a bit more fiber.

Fresh mint is the standout here. One teaspoon of chopped fresh leaves gives a cool, bright flavor that wakes up plain yogurt. If using dried mint, cut it back to half a teaspoon since dried herbs are more concentrated.

Kitchen Tips

• Crush the garlic clove with the flat of a knife before mixing; crushed garlic distributes more evenly than minced in a thin dressing
• Make this ahead and let it sit in the fridge for 30 minutes. The flavors bloom as they meld together
• Full-fat yogurt makes a richer dressing, but non-fat or low-fat keeps it lighter

Variations

• Dill version: Swap the mint for 1 teaspoon chopped fresh dill for a more classic cucumber-dill flavor
• Lemon boost: Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice for extra brightness and tang
• Spiced: Stir in ¼ teaspoon ground cumin for a Middle Eastern twist