Yogurt

**CrazyHomemaker** · 01-12-2009, 06:48 PM

I make my own yogurt at home. I have a handy tip for those of you who do the same. If I need it during the middle of the week, I'll make it right after supper time. The best part is keeping it warm to do its thing. I have a microwave with a light on it over my stove. I usually keep it on as a night light while we're at home and awake. There is enough heat in it to help the yogurt along. I put the yogurt mixture into small containers, about the size of a medium sized cottage cheese container (8oz or 12 oz). I then put the lids on and set them over the area where the light is and close the door. I put a note on the microwave not to turn off the light. Then I go to bed. I wake up to fully coagulated yogurt and plop it in the fridge. I probably do this once a month so I don't think I'm killing the light bill too much. I figure if the light's on, it might as well do double duty. You can't beat fresh yogurt! I also use this method to raise bread and pastry dough while I'm cleaning during the day.

**Michelle** · 01-12-2009, 07:01 PM

Do you have a specific recipe you follow that you could post for us newbies? I'd love to make some for here.

**The Muse** · 01-12-2009, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle

Do you have a specific recipe you follow that you could post for us newbies? I'd love to make some for here.

I'm trying to post a link to the recipe I use, but it's not letting me (stupid Spam filter). It uses dry milk, so it's very cost effective. I make mine in a quart size Mason jar and incubate it in a Salton yogurt maker I bought off Amazon for $14.99. I eat it with fruit, honey, etc., but also use it in place of mayo and sour cream in some recipes.

I'm curious to hear others' recipes.

**shadowfax** · 01-12-2009, 09:01 PM

hmm that sounds interesting. I don't make my own but I buy my favorite Yogurt(StonyField Farm) in Bulk with a friend. We get it by the case and split it.
1/2 case=3 large 2qt cartons which lasts me a couple of months.

What I do with my Yogurt. I have it over fruit with some granola or a good cereal on top. Or sometimes I drop in a spoonful of my favorite jam and eat it like that. I had thought to substitute it in recipes but have not done so yet. I think I did once use it in a fried chicken recipe.

The Yogurt is organic so it gets that thin liquid on it when it sits. I always pour that off for my cat and dogs as a treat. The culture is good for them too.

**Domestic Gal** · 01-12-2009, 09:10 PM

I made my first batch of yogurt yesterday.
I used this recipe using my crockpot.
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008...-crockpot.html
I used 2% milk and added 1/2 cup of dry milk powder to it. I also used 6 oz of active cultures.
I really like it. I used some of it this morning in place of buttermilk in my pancake recipe. The batter was a little thick so I just added some milk.
DH said these pancakes are really good. He did not know I used yogurt or he probably would of not eaten them as he does not like yogurt.
It is a little thinner than store bought yogurt.
I had some with fresh blueberries and it was MMMMMMMMMM.
I will make this again but next time I am going to try and 1/2 the recipe as this makes a lot.

**CrazyHomemaker** · 01-14-2009, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Michelle

Do you have a specific recipe you follow that you could post for us newbies? I'd love to make some for here.

Sure. It's really easy. Put 4 cups milk into a stainless pot and heat to 190 degrees F. You'll need a cooking thermometer for this. Turn off the heat and let it cool to 110 degrees F. I remove the scum from the top and stir with the thermometer every time I read the temp. At 110 deg F, add some of your original yogurt to the pot and wisk or stir to incorporate it into the heated milk. Then place it into the clean containers and put on lids. Put into the microwave that has been heated with the light under it. Let it set until it coagulates. Then stick in the fridge.

If my culture should die, I always buy and use Stonyfield Farm yogurt. It's organic and you don't get all of the gums and yuk you would from other brands. I don't have luck with any other brand.

As for eating it, I put it on my baked potatoes, I substitute my yogurt for sour cream in everything I do. This includes my stroganoff. Biscuits are fluffy. Cornbread is tasty. My DH loves it when I put it in the mashed potatoes instead of milk. Cakes, etc.

Good luck!

**alpidarkomama** · 04-28-2009, 03:53 AM

I make a gallon of yogurt every other week for our family of 6. I use our fruit dryer! Holds the milk at the perfect temperature. I just heat the milk up to nearly boiling, let it cool down to body temperature, add dried milk and/or pectin if I want it thick, add culture if I've already made 3-4 batches (dairyconnection.com) and let it sit on the fruit dryer for 12-14 hours in the stockpot. YUM.

**skysoldier** · 05-01-2009, 04:41 AM

At first I really don't believe on the benefits of Yogurt until I decide to try it and seen that my children really liked it.

**Tai** · 05-14-2009, 11:14 PM

I make a 1/2 gallon at a time- twice a week for my family of 5. The kids eat whole milk yogurt, I make skim for myself and for "greeking". I add 1/2 cup powdered milk to the whole, and 1 cup to the skim- I like it thick!

I use my crockpot liner to heat the milk, and my pilot light for incubating. I store the yogurt in pitchers (easier to pour off the whey, which I keep separate for adding back in for "drinkable" yogurt or for when I make smoothies).

I tend to start the heating first thing in the morning, check for temps right after breakfast and cleanup, and incubate all day. I try to have bread rising in the oven on the same day- just makes it easier to remember not to turn the oven on!

**vickilynn** · 05-15-2009, 11:49 AM

Oh busy day....just put the milk into the crockpot to make yogurt!!

This was a spending day, got my dehydrator and buy 5 lb get 5 lb free vidalia onions.......they'll be in the dehydrator as soon as I prep them with the on sale madeline I got!

I am learning and having so much fun! thanks to all...and saving $ too!

**mommy4ever** · 05-15-2009, 01:00 PM

Thanks for the recipes!

I no longer drink milk, causes issues, but love yogurt. I'm going to try next week, I'll pick up some organic milk, I have organic, live bacteria yogurt in the fridge, I'll just make sure I save some to try!

I'm pretty excited! I'll be making mine in pints as I don't like to use plastic. Wonder if that will affect it?

**The Muse** · 05-16-2009, 08:17 AM

I've posted a yogurt making tutorial on my blog. I hope someone finds it helpful.

**vickilynn** · 05-16-2009, 01:12 PM

I was so excited to check the yogurt this morning and it was yogurt!
Can't wait to make a smoothie!

Thanks for all the ideas!

**arogyam** · 05-16-2009, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by vickilynn

I was so excited to check the yogurt this morning and it was yogurt!
Can't wait to make a smoothie!

Thanks for all the ideas!

Nice tips.

**vickilynn** · 05-17-2009, 01:42 PM

My yogurt made the most delicious smoothie! I am so amazed at me! It is so creamy, yummy. This site keeps me motivated and learning new things. Thanks to all