Save I discovered this dish by accident on a late evening, staring into my fridge with that specific hunger that only happens after midnight. The Greek yogurt caught my eye first, creamy and white, and then the jam jar beside it—deep purple, almost black. I thought about how they'd look together, swirled like something from a planetarium, and suddenly I wasn't tired anymore. Twenty minutes later, I was plating small spheres of goat cheese and dusting sesame seeds across the surface like I was painting constellations. It felt ridiculous and delightful in equal measure.
I made this for a friend who'd been having a rough week, and I remember her face when she saw it—she actually laughed, really laughed, at this bowl of yogurt and jam. She said it looked like something she should photograph instead of eat. We sat at the kitchen counter at 11 p.m., and somehow eating something that beautiful made the whole evening feel less ordinary. That's when I realized this wasn't just a dessert; it was a small act of care that tasted good.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt, 400 g: Use full-fat if you want richness and creaminess, low-fat if you prefer lighter. Either works beautifully, but full-fat holds the swirls more elegantly.
- Soft white goat cheese, 80 g, chilled: The slight tanginess is essential—it's what keeps this from being one-note sweet. Chilling it makes the marble-sized balls much easier to roll.
- Dark berry jam, 100 g: Blackberry, blueberry, or blackcurrant all work. The darker the color, the more dramatic your galaxy looks. I've used homemade and store-bought; both are fine.
- White sesame seeds, 2 tbsp: These are your stars. Toasting them first brings out a subtle nuttiness that adds depth.
- Honey, 1–2 tbsp (optional): Only add this if your jam isn't sweet enough for your taste. Sometimes it's unnecessary.
Instructions
- Pour and smooth:
- Divide the yogurt among four shallow bowls, using the back of a spoon to gently spread it into an even, flat layer. This creates your canvas.
- Spiral the jam:
- Drizzle the jam slowly in a spiral pattern, starting from the center and working outward, or make concentric circles. Don't overthink it—organic looks better than perfect.
- Roll the stars:
- Using your fingers or a melon baller, break the chilled goat cheese into small marble-sized pieces and scatter them across the yogurt. Each one becomes a star in your edible galaxy.
- Dust with sesame:
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds generously across the entire surface. They add both visual shimmer and a gentle crunch against the soft yogurt.
- Optional drizzle and serve:
- Add honey if you'd like, then serve immediately while everything is still cold and the visual contrast is sharp. Encourage people to admire it before stirring.
Save There's something almost ceremonial about serving food that's beautiful enough to pause over. I watched someone I'd never met before take their first spoonful of this, and they actually closed their eyes for a moment, surprised by how the tang of the cheese hit against the sweetness of the jam. It was a small, quiet moment, but it reminded me why I love cooking—it's not just about hunger; it's about giving people permission to slow down.
The Power of Presentation
This dish taught me that sometimes the most impactful cooking happens when you're not actually cooking. There's no heat, no technique to master, just the thoughtfulness of how you arrange things on a plate. I've learned that people eat with their eyes first, and when you honor that, the taste feels even better. It's why I always use shallow bowls—the flatness lets the swirls breathe and the sesame seeds catch the light.
Flavor Balances That Sing
The real magic here is the tension between four distinct flavors: the tangy brightness of Greek yogurt, the sharp funkiness of goat cheese, the deep sweetness of berry jam, and the subtle nuttiness of sesame. None of them overwhelm each other; instead, they create a conversation on your palate. Each spoonful is different depending on how much jam you catch, how many sesame seeds land on it, and how much cheese you've picked up. I find that people who think they don't like tangy foods often love this because the jam sweetens every bite.
Variations and Improvisation
I've played with this enough times to know where the recipe is flexible and where it matters. The yogurt base is non-negotiable, but everything else bends. I've used fig jam when berries weren't available, swapped the goat cheese for mascarpone when someone had a strong cheese aversion, and even added a pinch of cardamom to the yogurt for an unexpected twist.
- Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes until they smell warm and slightly sweet; this changes the entire flavor profile.
- If you're making this ahead, assemble everything except the sesame seeds and jam, then finish it just before serving.
- A tiny pinch of sea salt on top plays beautifully against all the sweetness—try it and thank me later.
Save This recipe lives in that sweet spot where minimal effort meets maximum impact, and that's exactly when cooking feels most like play. Make it when you want to impress someone or when you just want to eat something beautiful in your own kitchen.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of yogurt is best for this dish?
Full-fat or low-fat plain Greek yogurt works well, providing a creamy base and rich texture.
- → Can I use other cheeses besides goat cheese?
Yes, mascarpone or ricotta can be substituted for a milder flavor and similar texture.
- → How do I create the spiral swirl with the jam?
Gently drizzle or spoon the dark berry jam over the yogurt and use a small spoon or piping bag to create a smooth spiral effect.
- → What is the purpose of sesame seeds in this dish?
Sesame seeds add a light crunch and visual appeal resembling stars, enhancing both texture and presentation.
- → Is toasting sesame seeds necessary?
Toasting sesame seeds is optional but recommended to bring out a deeper nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.