orange yogurt

This recipe came up in conversation with a few girlfriends*.  We were talking about the amazingness of the Barefoot Contessa and realized most of us have either made or tried this recipe.  Even though we call it "the fancy yogurt" it's actually pretty simple.

Ingredients

• 1 quart plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup good honey (I love how Ina insists on "good" ingredients)
• 1 orange, zest grated
• 1/2 to 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• Orange, orange zest, raisins and walnuts, for garnish (optional)

Directions

• Line a sieve with cheesecloth or paper towels and suspend it over a bowl. 
• Pour the yogurt into the sieve and allow it to drain, refrigerated, for 3 hours or overnight. (it's better overnight and you'll be surprised how much liquid comes out of the yogurt)
• Place the thickened yogurt into a medium bowl and stir in the raisins, walnuts, vanilla, honey, and orange zest. 
• Thin with orange juice until it is a desirable consistency. I like it when it's still thick, like greek yogurt.
• Garnish with sections of orange, orange zest, raisins, or walnuts and serve.  I like to drizzle a little extra honey on top, too.

*OMG.  Do my friends and I actually sit around and talk about yogurt?!  Holy Jamie Lee Curtis...