Yogurt or Sweet Imposter? The Truth Behind Those Creamy Pots!

Walk down the dairy aisle and you’ll find endless little pots: natural yogurt, Greek yogurt, strawberry yogurt, chocolate cream and tempting desserts. They may look alike, but are you buying real yogurt or a sweet imposter in disguise? 

I, personally, had to move abroad to start appreciating the silky smooth amazing Greek yogurt.

The Simple Truth About Yogurt

Real plain yogurt needs just two essentials: milk + live yogurt cultures. These friendly bacteria ferment the milk, giving yogurt its characteristic tangy taste and creamy texture.

Fruit, sugar, flavourings and thickeners can be added to yogurt, while some creamy pots are actually dairy desserts. Nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet treat, just know what you’re choosing!

My tip: check the ingredients and nutrition label. Plain yogurt naturally contains lactose, the sugar in milk, so look at the ingredient list to see whether extra sugar has been added.

A Recipe for Remembering

October is a month of remembrance. In France, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ traditions make this a time to think of those we have loved and lost. Greece has its own long traditions of honouring and remembering the departed.

It felt like the right moment to bring back one of my older recipes: Nefeli’s Breads.

In Greece, these soft little breads are traditionally made to commemorate someone dear who has passed away and shared with others, often at church.

I originally published this recipe in 2014, inspired by my grandmother’s recipe, and named it after my first daughter, Nefeli. On 6 October 2026, she would have been 23.

Some recipes are worth bringing back simply because they carry memories.

You can find the original recipe for Nefeli’s Breads here. ❤️

BBQ Feta Saganaki

Here’s a little souvenir worth bringing home from your next Greek holiday: a traditional handmade clay baking dish (pilino). You’ll find beautiful ones in many places around Greece, often handmade by local potters - like the one I use today - and once you have one, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it. Here's a bigger one oven dish beautifully decorated with Olive branches.

One of my favourite things to make in it is this ridiculously easy BBQ feta saganaki...

Which Greek Recipes Should You Try First from My Cookbook?

If you just got my Greek recipe cookbook (Vivian is Cooking GREEK), you might be wondering: “Where should I start?” Don’t worry! I’ve selected a few recipes that are easy, delicious, and will give you a true taste of Greek home cooking.