Yogurt

Using a low-fat cheese such as feta makes for a rich but lean topping. The newer feta cheeses with sun-dried tomatoes and basil are especially good.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less but requires additional unattended time.

The Mango and Red Onion Salsa is nice alongside this low-fat entreé.

Chili powder and chopped jalapeño add a touch of heat to this smooth appetizer. Try sprinkling it with chopped red onion for some crunch and color.

Tangy and refreshing, this dip is called tzatziki in Greek. Here, it's served with crisp baked pita wedges, but it also goes well with crudités. Drain the yogurt a day before you plan to prepare the dip. And mix up a big batch of lemonade to pour throughout the picnic.

Yogurt, curry, and cumin flavors combine in this delicious Indian-inspired appetizer. It makes terrific cocktail party fare.

This sherbet in waffle cups is the creation of Jorge Rocha Carmona and his wife, Claudia Mendez, owners of Rome Pasteler‭a, Billy Cross's favorite pastry shop in Oaxaca.

Serve with: Spanish rice and grilled mixed bell peppers drizzled with citrus vinaigrette.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Ripe tomatoes, basil and fresh corn enhance a terrific side dish.

A berry dessert that's a great finish to the spiced chicken breast meal.

Schat begins by making a biga — a rather stiff dough that ferments in the refrigerator overnight. He incorporates a portion of the biga into another, wetter dough made the next day. The biga adds a deeper flavor and extra strength to the final dough. Schat, like all professional bakers, measures his ingredients by weight, which is far more precise than volume.

A classic Indian dish that is accented by lemon, yogurt, garlic and spices.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.