Last week I announced my goal of rediscovering my creative side, and I'm pleased to say that I have made good on it so far! I've had a few little crafty projects (psssst, Carey! including making more crowns!) but the one I want to share for Crafty Tuesday today is my first attempt at homemade yogurt.
I've been interested in making my own yogurt for quite a while, but never quite got it together - I think it was something about candy thermometers that scared me off. But then a couple weeks ago Amy's status on Facebook mentioned crock pot yogurt, and I was instantly intrigued. Crock pot? I can do that!
So I did. And oh man, I am glad I did because it's good! And easy!
You can find the full recipe here, but the basic instructions are as follows:
- Pour 8 cups (half a gallon) of milk into the crock pot. I used whole milk for my first time, since I'd read it thickens better, but I will try 2% next time.
- Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours
- Turn the crock pot off and let sit for 3 hours
- Mix in 1/2 cup of active-culture yogurt. I also mixed in a packet of unfavored gelatin to help with thickening. I'm curious about using jello for a flavored and sweetened yogurt!
- Put the lid back on and wrap the entire crock pot in a towel for insulation
- Let it sit for 8 hours
- Be amazed that you now have yogurt!
I let it sit overnight, and I was so excited to wake up the next morning and open the crock pot to discover that it had thickened and turned into real yogurt! Woohoo!
It was however still a bit thin, so I set it up to drip through a coffee filter-lined colander. This resulted in a thick, creamy Greek-style yogurt. And yes, the liquid that dripped out really was that funky yellow color shown below and I got almost 2 cups of it.
So now that we had our yogurt, it was time for the moment of truth: how would it taste? I offered Nadia a honey-and-vanilla flavored bite...and she turned up her nose. Finally on the third try she did actually taste it, but her verdict wasn't very promising. She shrugged her shoulders and said "it's okay, but not really."
What?! Now we're essentially vegan for Lent, fasting from all animals products - but after Nadia's unenthusiastic response I simply had to taste it! I thought it was good...but definitely different from store bought. It'd be an adjustment.
But the next day when I snuck another bite - WOW, it had improved overnight and was now seriously good (especially with fresh sugar-tossed strawberries)! Yum, I want to go raid the fridge right now and eat everything that's there. :o)
So, I love it. Nadia still isn't too sure about it. She won't eat more than a couple bites. Hopefully she'll get used to it though, as I don't think I can go back to buying yogurt now that I know just how easy, cheap and yummy it is to make my own. The store bought stuff simply can't compare!
My next experiment will be making dairy-free yogurt with soy or almond milk using the same process, as demonstrated here, so that I can enjoy my new favorite treat with a clear conscience during Lent and other times we're fasting.
Because now that I've discovered the joy of homemade yogurt...I can't be without it!
14 comments:
Wow, I'm impressed! That does looks so good with the strawberries, too. We go through lots of yogurt around here, so maybe I will give this a try. :) I'm sure Nadia's taste buds will adjust, too. :)
We are so addicted to making yogurt. After you get used to it the store bought stuff doesn't compare. My husband and I both crave it. The kids aren't as crazy about it. For them I mix in some jam to make it sweet and different colors and they will eat it that way.
We use 2% milk and I usually let mine sit in a thermos for close to 12 hours. I usually use 1/2 cup of yogurt for starter when making 32 oz of yogurt. So if you want it thicker you might try more starter and letting it sit for longer. We don't use any thickener and when I add the starter I don't mix it much at all. I found it comes out a better consistency that way and it's usually pretty thick.
I am glad to have someone else share my love for homemade yogurt. Isn't it so cool?
That looks/sounds good! What a great idea, I will have to try that.
wow! that is pretty easy sounding. maybe we will try it some time. :)
Hey! Nice to hear someone else follows a "no animal product" fast like I do! It is so hard sometimes, but then again, it is when I eat the healthiest and most creatively!
Impressive about the yogurt too!
That is awesome!
I've been wanting to do it for years and your post has inspired me to try it!
I'm impressed. I must say, you make it sound like a good idea...we might have to try this!
Oh, I'm so on this! The girls are on a yogurt kick, I'm curious to see if they would like this. Yum! With the strawberries and honey...it looks amazing.
I had no idea you could make your own yogurt, how dumb is that? HA!
But I guess you can make anything. Glad you like it! It sure looks good with the strawberries in it.
The things I learn on the internet. Fascinating! I'm absolutely going to try this. :)
oh wow-thats pretty cool!!
too bad nobody likes yogurt here, i ONLY liked it when i was pregnant with the princess.
weird.
i can't wait to try this recipe!!! i will be attempting fat free and seeing what happens. i'll let you know.
Becoming a regular domestic diva, aren't you? :)
I'm dying to find out how the milk-free yogurt went. Could you update please????
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