Is There An Alternative To Yogurt In The Saffron Scented Pilaf?

Our answer

Nigella's Saffron Scented Chicken Pilaf (from NIGELLA SUMMER) marinates chicken in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice and cinnamon. The primary aim of the marinade is to tenderise the chicken and also to help prevent it from drying out as it cooks and the leftover marinade is discarded after the chicken has been removed.

If you can't use regular dairy yogurt then we suspect that you could use a non-dairy alternative, though be careful to use an unsweetened yogurt. Our preference would be to use a natural (plain) coconut milk yogurt, as this usually has a slightly thicker consistency and the coconut flavour will marry well with the flavours of the rice pilaf. Coconut cream, or light coconut cream, could also be used and if the mixture curdles slightly when the lemon juice is added then don't worry as the marinade is shaken off the chicken before cooking. Otherwise you could use a non-dairy natural yogurt of your choice.