What’s the difference between cooking yogurt vs. marinating with yogurt?

Question

Discover how yogurt behaves differently when used in cooking versus marination.

Answer 1

Cooking yogurt involves heating it as part of a dish, which can sometimes cause it to curdle, while marinating with yogurt uses its enzymatic properties to tenderize and flavor food before cooking.

Detailed Explanation:

The key difference lies in the purpose and the effect of heat. When you cook yogurt, you're incorporating it directly into a dish, often as a sauce or component of a curry. The heat can cause the yogurt's proteins to coagulate, leading to curdling or separation, especially if the yogurt is not stabilized with starch or flour. This is because yogurt is an emulsion of fat and protein in water. When heated, the proteins denature and clump together, squeezing out the water and fat.Marinating with yogurt, on the other hand, is a pre-cooking process. The yogurt's mild acidity and enzymes help to break down proteins in the food, particularly meat, making it more tender. The yogurt also imparts flavor and helps other spices adhere to the food's surface. The food is then cooked using a separate method like grilling, baking, or frying. The yogurt marinade is often partially or fully removed before cooking to prevent burning or excessive moisture. The lactic acid in yogurt also helps to tenderize the meat fibers.

Pro Tip:

When cooking with yogurt, especially in hot dishes, temper it first by mixing a small amount of the hot sauce or liquid into the yogurt before adding the yogurt to the main dish. This helps to gradually raise the yogurt's temperature and prevent curdling.