Joybee, What's for Dinner? : Healthier Garlic Aioli

A creamy dipping sauce with plenty of garlic flavor and a little spice made with high protein, plain, non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt instead of oil or mayonnaise.

Healthier Garlic Aioli: A creamy dipping sauce with plenty of garlic flavor and a little spice made with high protein, plain, non-fat Chobani greek yogurt instead of oil or mayonnaise.

Technically, I don't think this can be called an aioli because aioli is supposed to be made with garlic (check) and oil and egg yolk (which I usually just substitute with mayonnaise). I love garlic aioli and could eat the stuff by the cup full. I love having it with my fries and fish sticks but tend to eat more aioli than fish sticks (or fries)...basically I like a few fish sticks (or fries) with my garlic aioli.

I like a few fries with my garlic aioli. [Tweet this]

I decided to make an aioli, or an aioli-like dipping sauce, that I could happily dip as much as I liked and feel healthy while doing it. I think we have all heard about the many health benefits of garlic so I used as much as I liked (and that's a LOT). Then, I replaced the mayo/oil with plain non-fat Chobani Greek yogurt. First of all it's made from non-fat milk so there's no fat...good. Second, Greek yogurt has a ton of protein in it (22grams/1 cup)...really good. Lastly, 1 cup of Greek yogurt has about 25% of your daily calcium (women especially need more calcium)...great. So by replacing the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt I made an aioli I can eat/overeat and still feel healthy.

Replace mayonnaise w/ Greek Yogurt for healthier garlic aioli. [Tweet this]

The results were, and are (I make this every time I have fish sticks which is often), fantastic. I'm not usually one to like "diet food" or foods that sacrifice flavor to cut fat and/or calories, but there is no sacrifice here. Greek yogurt is smooth and creamy and a great backdrop for pungent garlic. There is nothing like dipping crispy finger foods in smooth, creamy, garlicky goodness.

Dipping crispy finger foods in garlicky goodness. [Tweet this]

Healthier Garlic Aioli

Prep time: under 15 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients:

3-5 cloves of garlic, minced (roasted garlic would be great too)
1/2 cup Chobani plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
1-2 tsp sriracha (optional)

Mince 3-5 garlic cloves (I usually go with 5 because I love garlic flavor) then press and mash them, with a sprinkle of salt, until they release their oil, are very fragrant, and somewhat paste-like. (I sometimes use a garlic press but usually mash the minced garlic in one of my smaller mortar and pestles. If you don't have either you can use your knife.)

Stir the mashed garlic into the yogurt until well blended then add sriracha if using. I like a little bit of spiciness and sriracha is a garlic and pepper sauce so it goes very well with the garlic in this recipe.

Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve with fries, fish, tater tots, just about anything and dip away with no guilt. It's great on Fish Sticks Tacos too.

Makes 1 serving.

Enjoy.