Caramel Yogurt Food

CARAMEL APPLE YOGURT

Steps:

• In a blender, mix the yogurt, apple, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1 pinch of salt and 1 tsp of vanilla. Blend till the ingredients have a nice creamy texture.
• In 4 oz jars, fill the jars half way with the yogurt blend.
• In a small sauce pot combine the butter, half and half, pinch of salt and 1 cup of brown sugar and cook on medium low.
• Whisk gently until all the ingredients are melted and smooth.
• Add the tsp of vanilla and continue to cook to desired consistency. Remember that this is more of a sauce and will be refrigerated so you don't want the caramel to get too stiff.
• Allow the caramel to cool, then pour over the yogurt filling up the remainder of the jars.
• Chill and serve.

CARAMEL YOGURT

Steps:

• Place yogurt in a fine-meshed strainer or colander lined with cheesecloth. Place strainer over a bowl and drain for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Reserve all liquid in bowl: this is whey. There should be about 2 cups firm drained yogurt. If necessary, return enough whey to yogurt to make 2 cups.
• In a medium saucepan, place sugar, salt and 1 cup whey. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently; adjust heat as needed so mixture does not boil over. Cook until liquid boils off and remaining syrup becomes deep brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add 2 tablespoons whey to pot and stir to blend well. If mixture is too thick to stir, add another tablespoon of whey. Allow caramel to cool slightly, stirring frequently to make sure it remains fluid. (If caramel stiffens too much to stir, place over a pot of hot water and stir until fluid again.) Add 1/4 cup yogurt to pot and stir vigorously to blend. Add remaining yogurt and stir to blend fully.
• Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. If desired, serve garnished with a sprinkling of cardamom, cinnamon or grated lemon zest.