Yogurt...

Well, today, was my first attempt at making yogurt.  It was way easier than I expected.  I decided to try making it because we get a lot of milk from a farm we milk cows at and we had some extra.  It is also much healthier than store bought yogurt.  My yogurt has natural ingredients while Yoplait Light Vanilla has 13, of which half are chemicals and high fructose corn syrup.  Here is my recipe-- 


4 c. milk
1/4 c. non-fat dried milk
1 t. gelatin
2 T, sugar
2 t. vanilla
1/4 c. plain yogurt or yogurt starter 

Mix together milk, dried milk, gelatin, sugar and vanilla in a double boiler and let stand for 5 min.  Meanwhile, heat a pot of water to sterilize canning jars.   

Once the water comes to a boil, add jars and let boil for 10 min.

Then remove jars and place on a 
clean cloth to dry.










Heat milk mixture to 190F.  Cook for 10 min.  Prepare an ice water bath by filling a bowl with cold water and ice.  Measure out the 1/4 c. of plain yogurt.  I used Stonyfield Farm USDA Organic plain yogurt.  

Once yogurt is done cooking place in the ice water bath and add the plain yogurt.


Fill sterilized jars with milk mixture.  Place in warmed incubator for 8 hours.  Refrigerate immediately.   My yogurt had just finished when I started this post.  I sampled it and it was delicious!  It had a similar texture to store bought yogurt but the flavor was much better!    

   

                                                                      Final Product!!!!






How to make a yogurt incubator- Use a heating pad on medium to high heat (depending on your heating pad) inside a cooler covered with a towel.  Once jars are placed in cover them with towel.  Be sure to check heating pad often because some have an automatic shut-off.  Keep cooler between 80-108F.