Homemade Crock Pot Yogurt Food

YOGURT (CROCK POT)

Steps:

• Combine milk and powdered milk in crockpot set on high; heat until temperature reaches 200 degrees F. (A small sauce pan can be used, however watch carefully that the milk does not burn.).
• Allow milk to cool until it is warm, not hot (110 degrees F).
• Add the plain yogurt and stir well.
• Fill thermos with hot water.
• Drain hot water from wide-mouthed thermos and fill with yogurt mixture.
• Cap and set aside for 4 to 8 hours.
• The longer the yogurt sets the sharper the flavor.
• Store in the refrigerator; the yogurt will continue to thicken.
• Sweeten with fruit or honey.

HOMEMADE YOGURT IN THE CROCK-POT

Steps:

• Turn your crockpot on high. Be sure to do this first, as your crock pot needs to warm up properly before you place the milk inside. Now is also the time to take out your yogurt starter and let it sit on the counter, to warm up a bit.
• Pour all the milk into the pan (I use this) stirring occasionally until it begins to bubble and get frothy (around 185° if you would like to use a kitchen thermometer). Watch your milk to be sure it doesn't bubble over or burn the bottom of the pan. While you are keeping a close eye on your milk, now is the time to get a cold ice bath ready for your pan. Fill your sink with some water and ice.
• Now that your milk has started to bubble, turn off the burner and transfer your pan to the sink full of cold water. Place the pan in the cold water, but don't allow any of the water to enter the pan and touch the milk. Keep the lid on the pan. Allow, the milk to sit around 10 minutes. You want your milk to cooler, but not cold. You need to have warm milk for the crock pot.
• While the milk is cooling, scoop out a 1/2 cup of yogurt starter. Once the milk has cooled (but is still warm...10 minutes) turn off your crockpot (which is now nice and toasty warm). Place your yogurt starter and 1 cup of warm milk in the crock pot and gently whisk together. Now, add the rest of the of the warm milk to the crockpot and stir.Note to self: The baby will try to eat all your yogurt starter. Next time, make yogurt after bedtime.
• With the milk and yogurt starter in the crockpot (now turned off), place the lid on. Now wrap up your crockpot with a couple large towels. Tuck your milk and yogurt into bed, all nestled in to keep nice and warm. Let that bacteria get to work making fabulous, creamy yogurt!Leave your crockpot alone for 8-12 hours. The longer you let it sit, the tangier your yogurt will taste. I like the taste at 10 hours. I know you may be tempted to take a peak and spy on what's happening under those towels, but don't! Your milk and starter need time to culture.Relax!
• After 8-12 hours, remove the towels from the crock pot and you will find-yogurt! Before you stir or shake the yogurt, place your crock pot in the fridge and allow the yogurt to set. I usually allow it to set a couple hours. I've even neglected it all day in the fridge.
• After your yogurt has spent some time setting in the fridge you can now scoop into the containers of your choice. I use quart mason jars (like these).
• Store in the fridge and enjoy.

CROCK POT YOGURT

Steps:

• Pour the milk into the crock pot and turn it on low. Let sit 2.5 hours.
• Unplug crock pot, leave lid on. Let sit for 3 hours.
• Ladle out a bit of the milk and stir it in with the yogurt starter. This yogurt MUST have live cultures. I used nonfat, plain Greek yogurt.
• Mix in pudding mix.
• Return the mixture to the crock pot and the rest of the milk; stir. Put lid back on and cover with a heavy bath towel or blanket (pot still unplugged). This is its insulator. Leave it like this at least 8 hours.
• The longer it sits, the tart-er it gets. I like mine nice and tart.
• It will be thin. If you want it thicker, place coffee filters in a colander and drain off whey. You can save the whey for cooking, as it is very healthy!
• You can use 2 tbs fat free dry milk or 1 packet plain gelatin in place of pudding mix. I just happened to have pudding mix on hand.
• Mix some jam, fresh fruit, etc. into it when you serve. If you don't use vanilla pudding mix, it could also be a great base for dips or sauces.

SLOW COOKER YOGURT

Steps:

• Place four 10-ounce jars in a slow cooker. Fill slow cooker with water up to 1/3 inch of the jar rims. Remove jars and set aside.
• Cover slow cooker and preheat on High while you prepare the yogurt for about 20 minutes.
• Pour milk and milk powder into a saucepan and whisk to dissolve. Heat over medium heat until just steaming and a thermometer reads 179 degrees F (82 degrees C), about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and place the bottom of the pan into a bowl of ice water. Cool milk mixture until the temperature has dropped to 114 degrees F (46 degrees C). Lift pan out of the ice water.
• Measure about 1 cup of milk and pour into a bowl. Stir in yogurt until thoroughly blended. Return yogurt mixture to the pan of milk. Pour milk mixture into the 4 glass jars, filling up to 1/2 inch of the rims.
• Check the temperature of the water in the slow cooker is no higher than 114 degrees F (46 degrees C). If it is cooler, cover slow cooker again, and allow to come to temperature. If it is too hot, uncover and turn off slow cooker.
• Set jars in the warm water; the water level should be up to the level of the yogurt in the jars. Cover with a folded dish towel and then with the slow cooker lid. Turn slow cooker off. Allow to set for 6 hours, keeping the water at 114 degrees F (46 degrees C) as best you can. Check the temperature with your thermometer after about 2 hours, taking care not to disturb the yogurt. If the water is lower than 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), turn slow cooker to Warm for 10 minutes, then shut off again. Check temperature again at the 4-hour mark and repeat. Do not stir or poke the yogurt at all during this time.
• Check the yogurt after 6 hours by pressing gently on the top or tipping the jars to see if it is set; it is done when the yogurt is firm and there is a thin layer of yellowish liquid on the top. Remove the jars from the water and dry off. Top with clean lids and place in the refrigerator.