Homemade Greek Yogurt

Hi everyone, sorry for the long hiatus, but what are you going to do when the kids...are kids? :)

Anyway, I've had some requests from people in my circles to share my yogurt technique. I use technique rather than recipe because it's more about how you put the ingredients together than the ingredients themselves.

I started making yogurt because we were spending $11 a week on yogurt! That's $44 a month... I'm just too cheap to let that be in my budget. So I asked my mom about making yogurt because I remembered she used to make it when I was younger. She said it was easy but you have to get a few elements right for a good result. So I started my adventure and haven't looked back.

Now I make the same amount for at most $5 a week. That's less than half and leaves more wiggle room in my food budget. Ok, onto the technique.

I'm apologizing in advance for the flexible amounts and times in my descriptions. This really is the way I make yogurt and it changes slightly from time to time but all the ranges I give, I have gotten wonderful yogurt. Also, I know that many reading this know how to cook, but for clarity I will give an exhaustive list of equipment so you are well prepared for each step.

A note on starter: yogurt is made from good bacteria processing the milk. When you see "live and active cultures" on the label, that means those good bacteria are in there. I've noticed a difference in using only starters that contain milk and live and active cultures yields the best results. Sometimes there are additives like sugar, gelatin, and emulsifiers in store-bought yogurt that might impede the process. Also, not all plain yogurt tastes the same. We discovered that Fage brand 2% Greek plain yogurt was what our family preferred. You can either use a single serving tub of your choice of plain yogurt or 1 cup of any plain yogurt, even what's left from a previous batch. Try out a few or just pick out one and give this a go. 

Last warning: This may seem time intensive but honestly it's just a few quick interactions separated by some long wait times. I start heating the milk at 9 am, start cooling it before lunch, add starter after lunch and let it sit til the next morning around 7 am, and then strain it. Some days it's delayed so I just take it out later the next morning.

Feel free to comment or email me crimsoncinder@gmail.com with any questions or to share your success!

 So here we go.

Homemade Greek Yogurt

Ingredients
-1 gallon milk (I use whole but any cows milk will work)
-6-8 oz plain yogurt (I use Fage brand 2% Greek plain yogurt single serving or 1 cup of yogurt from a previous batch)

Equipment
-6 quart crockpot
-Instant-read Thermometer
-Sink of cold water/ice bath
-Oven set to 110 degrees Fahrenheit, or just a cold oven with the light on, this will keep the oven at the perfect incubation temperature
-Flour sack cloth or clean smooth cotton cloth
-Colander
-Large bowl
-Small bowl
-Whisk
-Large Spoon/Spatula

Steps
1. Pour 1 gallon of milk into crockpot set to high. Stir occasionally and heat covered until temperature reads 180-185 degrees Fahrenheit. This takes my crockpot about 3 hours but yours could take as little as 1.5 hours. The important thing is this is a gradual process, heating too quickly will result in a grainy texture.

2. Remove stoneware insert and place in ice bath sink uncovered until temperature reads 110 (I bring it out if its 115 or lower) This may seem weird to heat up then reduce the temperature but its to denatures the whey protein in the milk, making it active. You will not get a high quality or quantity yield without this step.

3. Remove stoneware from sink.

4. Remove 3-4 cups of 110 degree milk from insert and add plain yogurt starter.

5. Whisk gently until smooth. Pour mixture back into insert. Stir gently to combine.

6. Cover and place in 110 degree oven (or oven with the light on) for 12-18 hours.

7. Remove yogurt from oven and pour into flour sack lined colander that is fit inside a large bowl. This will strain out liquid and give a thicker, Greek yogurt. Without straining, you have just plain yogurt. Feel free to just stir and put in an airtight container if you wish at this point. Otherwise strain for anywhere from 1-3 hours, depending on your desired thickness.

8. Remove Greek yogurt from cloth and store in airtight container for up to two weeks. I use a spoon or spatula to scrap the yogurt that clings to the cloth.

9. Enjoy with add-ins or plain.

Trading One for Another

I've just come from a week at the beach. I'm both loving and loathing being back in Minnesota. Loving, because I'm home and can get back into my normal rhythm. Loathing, because I have so much less help with my energetic toddler and scooting baby.

Keeping up with these two is sometimes difficult. Especially when I know I need to take care of myself, too. I've shared my struggle with self-care here before. I still struggle but am learning the value. I'm loving the fact that our garden is coming in and we can already enjoy fresher than fresh produce. RADISHES!!! This is the only time I eat them. When our garden is bursting with red orbs hidden in the dirt, and crowned with greens. We used to enjoy these spicy treats then merely put the tops in the compost bin. WHAT A WASTE!!!

This may seem like an extreme reaction but hear me out. Since I've had to cut back on sweets and make better food choices, it's hard to have food treats. But I've discovered a new one and am beyond excited.

Have I hyped this enough? OK, here it is, Radish Top Pesto! No kidding, its...NOM NOM NOM.

In a food processor (Thanks, Mom and Dad for mine at Christmas), blitz 2-3 cups of tops (I used the amount I had from 8-9 radishes), garlic, EVOO, and lemon juice until a paste forms. Add a bit of sugar (the tops can be bitter without it), pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and pulse to combine. So easy, it took me about 10 minutes. I had to stop right then and there and enjoy a piece of toast topped with this wonderfulness. (For full recipe go to this website, I wouldn't change a thing so I don't feel comfortable copying it here, definitely want to give them the credit since I just did what they said.)

So this is where I am. Trading cookies and milk for salad and pesto. Candy for fruit, and binge eating for calling a friend. It's a daily struggle and some days are successes and others are less successful. I'm thankful God loves me no matter what.

God Loves You

Enjoy Life