I know it may sound a bit scary, but homemade yogurt is actually fairly easy to make - granted you follow the directions closely until you get the process down. It is really cheap to make as well - I made a pint of yogurt for about $0.75. Basically all you do is heat milk to 180 degrees, cool it to 110, add some plain yogurt from the grocery store with live cultures (this is the bacteria that causes yogurt to form), and keep the yogurt at about 110 degrees for 7-8 hours until it solidifies. Once I worked out the kinks of making it the first time, it only took about 10 minutes to make it all the second time.
I didn't use a fancy yogurt maker or have to buy anything besides a $10 heating pad. I used this video tutorial: How to Make Homemade Yogurt. There are three parts to the video, and I followed it pretty closely. I only changed a few things. I used the low setting on my heating pad and covered the pot with a blanket to insulate it. This kept it at a perfect 110 degrees. I think the next time I make it I will pour the milk in to mason jars before I put it on the heating pad - this way I can transfer them straight to the fridge, and not have to mix up the yogurt (which thins it) before I cool it. I just bought a set of Ball Storage Caps
to use for the jars instead of the metal lids.
to use for the jars instead of the metal lids. The yogurt that you get is plain yogurt - which is really nice because you can choose the amount/kind of sweetener that you add to it. Store bought yogurt literally makes my teeth hurt after I eat it because there is so much sugar in it! I like to eat my homemade yogurt with a little honey and granola, or a dollop of raspberry jam! We've also made some really great smoothies using yogurt, honey, strawberries, and bananas. Yum.
Lastly,
If you are looking for a few good blogs to follow I'd recommended checking out Amber's blog here:
Coffee Table Reads
And, my sister Molly's blog here:
Molly Jo Cooks
Lastly,
If you are looking for a few good blogs to follow I'd recommended checking out Amber's blog here:
Coffee Table Reads
And, my sister Molly's blog here:
Molly Jo Cooks
Thank you for posting this! I've tried to make yogurt before but I don't think I kept it warm enough for it to do its thing. I'm defiantly getting a heating pad for yogurt making! WOO HOO!
ReplyDeleteCassie, I'm so glad you finished the yogurt!! It looks so yummy, versatile and inexpensive. Once I am ready to try making some, I'll have to ask you the process=) (Probably not until I have my own kitchen; soon though!).
ReplyDeleteAndrea - The heating pad works really well- I had to work a little bit to find the right heat setting. Also, make sure you use a good starter with live cultures, I've heard that Stonyfield organic is the best (I used Dannon - which turned out good too).
ReplyDeleteAmber - We've burned through this batch, and I've already made another! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you find a job either in Milwaukee, or Madison, SD - haha. It will be great for you to have your own kitchen! You'll have to register for a ton of kitchen stuff for your wedding/bridal shower! :) That is pretty much all we registered for!