Make Fresh Yogurt at Home

This week I made this homemade yogurt again.  It is so easy.  Really.

You will need to start this process in the morning.

To make the Yogurt I used

A large pot

A professional Digital Thermometer

5 Qt. Mason Jars

2 glass canisters (mine are 50.7 oz.)

Latex Gloves

Cooler

Large Towel

Ingredients

1 Gallon Whole Milk

1 Cup Cultured Milk Yogurt (No added cream or pectin)

Directions

Pour 1 Gallon of Whole Milk in a large pot.

Heat milk to 170 degrees. (About 10-15 minutes)

Remove from heat and let the milk drop to exactly 110 degrees.  This may take 2 to 2 1/2  hours.

(Putting the pot in a sink of cool water may reduce the 2 hour wait but you run the risk of cooling it too quickly.)

When the milk temperature reaches 115 degrees start a hot water bath to sanitize the Qt. jars and lids. 

Fill the 2 canisters with very hot water and set inside cooler with the towel situated to wrap all the jars at the same time. (no lids on the canisters. Use rubber gloves to handle the hot jars.

Working quickly, as soon as the milk reaches 112 degrees, rinse and drain the jars.  When the milk reaches 110 degrees pour about 1-2 cups in a bowl with the store bought yogurt.  Mix it up to thin the yogurt and add it back to the pan of milk, stirring to mix well.

Immediately pour it into 5 quart mason jars, with lids, but not tightly sealed.

 

Set the filled mason jars in the cooler next to the hot water canisters.  Wrap the towel to contain all the jars.  Close the cooler lid and DO NOT OPEN the cooler for 8 1/2 hours.

After a full 8 1/2  hours, remove yogurt, tighten lids and refrigerate.

I now have 5 Quarts of yogurt, actually 3.  

I gave away 2 jars already.

ALSO, when I make my next batch, I will use 1 cup from this batch, instead of the store bought yogurt.

I purchased a Professional Thermometer ($19.99) and the 2 large glass jars ( $12.99 each) at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

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KRISTA'S DAILY BREAKFAST

1/2 Cup uncooked Quaker Oats

Optional dried cranberries, and sliced almonds

1/2 cup Soy Milk

Let set for 10 minutes

Add 1/2 Cup Fresh Yogurt

1/2 banana, 1/2 Cup Blueberries,  OR 1/2 cup other fruit

 This morning I added fresh peaches.

SMOOTHIE RECIPE

1/2 Frozen Banana (Peel & Freeze)

1 Cup Soy Milk

1/2 Cup frozen fruit

1 Cup Yogurt

Splash of Orange Juice

Flax (optional)

Blend

DESSERT OR GREEK YOGURT

Put one quart of your homemade yogurt

in a colander lined with cheese cloth.

Let the whey drain through the cheese cloth about 4 hours.

Discard the liquid.

When it's ready, add 1/3 cup raw sugar (or regular)

and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

layer a serving bowl with yogurt, and fruit.

I also added a sprinkling of Grape Nuts Cereal.

Delicious

You can also use Greek style yogurt this in your ice cram maker.