Do you love the creamy, flavorful yogurt sauces at your favorite Indian restaurant? With the recipes below, you can make your own Indian-style yogurt sauces at home. Serve these sauces over your favorite grilled meats and veggies, or use them for dipping naan bread and fresh veggies.

Yellow Curry Yogurt Sauce

To make this simple, classic yogurt sauce, combine the following ingredients:

• 1 cup plain, full-fat yogurt
• a pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
• 1 tablespoon onion, finely minced.

Stir the ingredients together well, and let the dip rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavor to develop. This yogurt sauce is particularly delicious on chicken and potatoes.

Cucumber and Garlic Yogurt Sauce

If you're looking for a very lightly flavored, refreshing yogurt sauce, this one fits the bill. Stir together:

• 1 cup plain, full-fat yogurt
• 1/4 cup cucumber, finely minced
• 1 clove of garlic, finely minced
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

This yogurt sauce will be runny because of the juicy cucumber. If you prefer it thicker, place the yogurt on some cheesecloth draped over a bowl, and let it rest overnight before making the dip. Some of the liquid will come out of the yogurt, making your final product thicker. This dip is ideal for fish and vegetables.

Sage and Dill Yogurt Sauce

Feel free to use low-fat or fat-free yogurt in this dip if you're watching your waistline. It is more flavorful than the other dips in this article, so it remains tasty with lower-fat ingredients. You'll need:

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon fresh dill weed, chopped finely
• 1 teaspoon fresh sage, chopped finely
• 1 tablespoon onion, minced
• a pinch of salt
• a pinch of black pepper

Combine the ingredients, and stir well. This dip is especially delicious when served with veggies for dipping.

Garam Masala Yogurt Sauce

Garam masala is a "hot" blend of Indian spices. You can likely find it in an ethnic foods store or the specialty section of your grocery store. To make this bold dip, you'll need:

• 1 cup plain, full-fat yogurt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut milk

Stir the ingredients together, adding additional garam masala to taste if you prefer your foods extra spicy. This boldly flavored dip stands up well to pork and beef.

With these yogurt dip recipes in your arsenal, you'll be one step closer to creating authentic-tasting Indian cuisine in your own home.

For more information about Indian food, contact Haveli Vegetarian Cuisine or a similar location.