Homemade Yogurt By Sy Food

EASY HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a pot and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reduce heat and simmer, about 10 minutes; do not let it boil over.
• Remove pot from heat and allow to sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Dip your finger into the milk every once in a while to determine when you can leave your finger in the milk for 10 to 15 seconds without burning. Pour in the yogurt; there is no need to stir.
• Put the lid on the pot and carefully wrap a blanket around it. Place the wrapped pot in a slightly warm place where it will be undisturbed for 6 to 10 hours; overnight is best. Transfer to the refrigerator to allow the yogurt to continue to thicken.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Place milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; cook until it reaches 180 degrees, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool to 115 degrees.
• Whisk together 1 cup milk and the yogurt. Stir into remaining milk.
• Transfer to a 1-quart mason jar. Wrap jar (without lid) in 2 clean kitchen towels, completely covering sides and top. Let stand undisturbed in a warm place until yogurt has the consistency of custard, 4 to 5 hours.
• Refrigerate uncovered jar; when it's cool to the touch, about 30 minutes, screw on a tight-fitting lid.

HOMEMADE YOGURT BY SY

Steps:

• Place the milk and cream into a pot and bring to almost a boil. Making sure you don't burn the milk on the bottom of the pot (A non-stick pot if possible).
• Turn off heat and let cool to 115 degrees.
• As the milk is heating up and then cooling add 3-4 tablespoons of cultured yogurt in a cup.
• Let sit at room temperature (about 70 degrees).
• When the milk has cooled to the correct temperature, add some to the cup with the yogurt.
• Next stir well and then add back into the pot of milk, stir.
• Next take a clean glass jar/ovenproof bowl and pour the milk into it, stir well.
• Cover the jar/bowl with plastic wrap and then a dish cloth.
• Take a clip-on desk lamp (shade and with a 75 watt bulb) and point it toward the surface of the jar/bowl (about 6 inches away).
• Let the jar/bowl with the milk and yogurt starter incubate under the heat lamp for about 8 to 12 hours. I prefer 12 hours, with the finished yogurt having a nice tangy taste and consistency!
• Refrigerate!
• NOTE: The longer you let the yogurt stay under the heat lamp, the more tangy the yogurt will taste.
• The amount of yogurt starter used is another factor in the success of the finished yogurt; too much or too little is no good.
• Also, the environment in which you place the jar/bowl can effect the finished yogurt as well.
• For example, if you are placing the jar/bowl of milk in a 80-85 degree kitchen area you can reduce the time it sits under the lamp. Or in some cases no lamp is needed.
• Further, you can use a conventional oven which has been heated to 200 degrees and then turned off. Then place the jar/bowl with the milk & yogurt starter inside the oven for about 2 to 4 plus hour.
• (I have also used my microwave convection oven, but not the microwave feature).

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Bring milk to just a boil and then set aside to cool.
• Cool just enough not to bite the finger to touch, (about 120°F).
• Pour warm milk in a glass or pyrex bowl and add the Mahdzoon starter (or store bought"live culture" plain yogurt).
• Mix well by stirring the starter in, and cover.
• Completely cover the bowl with towels top and bottom to maintain an even temperature.
• Keep covered at room temperature until mahdzoon has set, about 3-4 hours.
• Refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.
• To store, keep in refrigerator.
• If you like, you can add a spoonful or two of fruit preserves/jam and a bit of vanilla before serving.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Let the Greek yogurt stand at room temperature while you prepare the cooler and the milk mixture.
• Fill three 1-quart plastic containers or glass jars with hot tap water (about 115 degrees F); cover. Place the containers in a small insulated cooler and pour in enough hot water (115 degrees F) to come about 2 inches up the sides. Close the cooler and let it preheat. Rinse two more 1-quart containers or glass jars with hot water (115 degrees F); set aside.
• Add a splash of water to a large saucepan and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan (this will help keep the milk mixture from scorching). Add the half-and-half and milk to the saucepan and bring to a simmer (180 degrees F to 190 degrees F) over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula to prevent a skin from forming and to prevent the mixture from scorching.
• Remove from the heat and allow the temperature to drop to 115 degrees F. Whisk in the Greek yogurt until smooth, then pour the mixture into the empty containers and cover. Place the containers in the cooler and pour in enough hot water (115 degrees F) to reach just below the lids of the yogurt containers. Close the cooler and let sit, undisturbed, 5 hours. (Or, for tangier yogurt, let the yogurt sit up to 24 more hours, changing out the water a few times to maintain 115 degrees F.)
• Remove the yogurt from the cooler and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.
• For thicker, Greek-style yogurt, line a fine-mesh sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Pour in the yogurt, cover with more cheesecloth and let drain in the refrigerator until it's as thick as you like, or up to 2 hours.
• Honey-Nut
• Mix in honey and toasted sliced almonds.
• Ambrosia
• Mix in chopped mandarin oranges and toasted coconut flakes.
• Banana Split
• Mix in sliced bananas and chocolate syrup.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• combine liquid milk and powdered milk in a pot, put on stove at medium setting.
• preheat oven or toaster oven to "warm" setting (100-150 degrees F).
• once milk threatens to boil over, remove from stove and cool (in ice bath if desired) so that the pan is not too hot to the touch.
• combine milk and yogurt in a very clean tupperware container, cover container.
• set container in pre-heated oven, leave for about 6 hours.
• your yogurt should be nice and thick-- now store it in the fridge for up to two weeks.
• NOTE: The ideal incubation temperature is 115 degrees F, plus or minus 10. Instead of a warm oven, you can use a sunny outdoor spot during summertime. In winter, you can set the container by a radiator or wood stove. Recently I have found the crockpot is a reliable heat source. Simply place water in your crockpot, filling the pot about halfway. Then place the covered yogurt container inside the crockpot, making sure the water does not enter the yogurt. You can then use a thermometer to monitor the water temperature, and adjust your crockpot during the incubation period to maintain ideal temperature.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Start by cleaning and sterilizing all your equipment and tools as well as your work surface. Most utensils and storage containers can be sanitized in the dishwasher (some machines have a sanitize setting). Alternatively, sterilize everything in boiling water.
• Prepare an ice bath, filling a large bowl or sink with ice.
• Attach a candy thermometer to a heavy, large pot and add the milk. Place the pot over moderate heat and heat the milk until it reaches at least 180°F or boils, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming and making sure the milk doesn't scald or boil over. Alternatively, place the milk in a large microwave-safe bowl or a large glass measuring cup with a spout (for easy pouring) and microwave it in 2- to 3-minute intervals, until it reaches 180° or boils.
• Remove the milk from the heat and allow it to cool to 110°F to 115°F. To speed the cooling process, place the pot in the prepared ice bath and stir the milk occasionally. (If the milk temperature drops too low, return it to the heat.)
• If using yogurt as a starter culture: In a small bowl, combine about 1 cup warm milk with the yogurt and stir to combine. Add the yogurt-milk mixture to the remaining warm milk and stir until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.
• If using a powdered yogurt culture: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and add the specified amount of powdered culture to the warm milk; whisk until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.
• Pour or ladle the mixture into the yogurt maker containers or another incubator (if using a thermos, first warm the inside with hot tap water) and incubate between 110°F and 115°F for 5 to 10 hours, depending on the desired flavor and consistency-longer incubation periods produces thicker, more tart yogurt. Do not disturb the yogurt during incubation.
• Cover the yogurt and refrigerate until cold, 2 to 3 hours. (If you used a thermos to incubate, transfer the finished yogurt to a non-insulated container for chilling so the temperature will drop.) Stir any flavorings into the yogurt just before serving. (For thicker, Greek-style yogurt, after incubation, spoon the yogurt into a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl and let it drain, covered in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour or overnight. Discard the whey that drains out of the yogurt or reserve it for another use.)
• Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator, in covered glass, ceramic, or plastic containers, for up to 2 weeks, but the flavor will be the best during the first week. As yogurt ages, it becomes more tart. If more whey separates out of the yogurt, just stir it back in before serving.

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat milk over medium heat until a thermometer reads 200°, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Remove from heat; let stand until a thermometer reads 112°-115°, stirring occasionally. (If desired, place pan in an ice-water bath for faster cooling.), Whisk 1 cup warm milk into yogurt until smooth; return all to pan, stirring gently. Transfer mixture to warm, clean jars, such as 1-qt. canning jars., Cover jars; place in oven. Turn on oven light to keep mixture warm, about 110°. Let stand, undisturbed, 6-24 hours or until yogurt is set, tilting jars gently to check. (Yogurt will become thicker and more tangy as it stands.), Refrigerate, covered, until cold. Store in refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

HOMEMADE PLAIN YOGURT

Steps:

• Place a large pot on the stovetop and place sterile 5 half-pint canning jars inside. Fill with enough water so that the jars are immersed up to their necks. Set the burner to low heat. The goal is to be able to maintain a consistent temperature between 110 degrees F and 115 degrees F (45 degrees C) for 4 to 6 hours. Check the temperature using a candy or meat thermometer periodically.
• Meanwhile, pour the milk and dry milk into a large saucepan. Stir to dissolve the powder and set over medium heat. Heat until just steaming; your thermometer should read 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove from the heat and place the pan so the bottom is sitting in a bowl of ice water. Cool until the temperature has dropped to 115 degrees F (45 degrees C).
• When it reaches the temperature, remove it from the heat and stir about 1 cup of the milk into the plain yogurt until thoroughly blended. Stir this mixture back into the pan of milk.
• Pour the milk mixture into warm glass jars to within 1/2 inch of the rims. Set in the warm water bath. The water level should be up to the level of the yogurt in the jars. Cook uncovered and be sure to maintain the temperature at 110 to 115 degrees F (45 degrees C) for 4 to 6 hours. I like to do 6. Do not stir or poke the yogurt at all during this time - even if you are tempted! Doing this may cause it to become watery.
• When the time is about up, you can check the yogurt 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. Seal with clean lids and rings. They should be good to keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 weeks.
• Be sure to save a little extra out as a starter for the next batch. Over time your homemade yogurt will start to lose it's potency as starter (like making a copy of a copy of a copy), so every fourth or fifth batch you may want to use store-bought yogurt as starter. Just make sure it says ''live active cultures'' on the container. Good luck!

HOMEMADE YOGURT IN A COOLER!

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm milk to 185 degrees, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.
• Add dry milk to warmed milk and whisk until dissolved.
• Place pan in a large bowl with ice water and cool milk down to 110 degrees.
• Place 3 T yogurt in a small bowl and mix with about 1/2 cup of warm milk.
• Pour pan of warm milk into a one quart jar, then add yogurt mixture.
• Partially fill a 1 gallon drink cooler with 110 degree water (I use one with the spout in the lid, but any small cooler will work).
• Place jar in cooler and make sure the water comes up to just below the lid.
• Cover cooler and place in a warm, sunny spot in your yard for 6-8 hours! The sun will help the yogurt stay nice and warm while it incubates.
• Refridgerate and enjoy!

HOMEMADE GREEK YOGURT

Steps:

• Pour milk into a large sauce pot over medium-high heat.
• Heat the milk, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 180 degrees.
• Remove from heat and cool to between 110-120 degrees, still stirring occasionally.
• Once the temperature reaches that range, add the yogurt and milk powder.
• Whisk until smooth and then pour into a bowl with a lid.
• Wrap in thick kitchen towels and place in a preheated oven. (You can preheat it to any temp, you just want the oven to be warm to keep the yogurt warm).
• Allow it to sit undisturbed in the oven for 8-12 hours (I left it for a little over 13 hours with no problem).
• Remove it from the oven and strain in a mesh strainer or colander lined with a coffee filter or paper towels (you can also use cheese cloth, I just never have any).
• Drain for about an hour or two depending on how dry you like your yogurt.
• Place in a lidded storage container and keep in the fridge for up to a week.

AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• On a work surface, lay four clean cotton towels in a cross pattern, each with one end overlapping a few inches in the center. Position a large baking dish or glass mixing bowl in the center of the towels.
• Set the plain yogurt on the counter to warm to room temperature while preparing milk mixture.
• Combine milk and half-and-half in a large, heavy, non-aluminum pot. Heat over low to moderate heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just comes to the boil. Immediately remove from heat and pour mixture into the waiting bowl. Add 1 pint whipping cream, if desired, for added richness.
• Allow mixture to cool to 112 degrees F (44 degrees C). Gradually pour 1 cup of the warm milk into the yogurt, whisking constantly. Return the yogurt-milk mixture to the bowl and stir well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; wrap kitchen towels up and over bowl, covering completely. Let stand at room temperature until firmly set, 8 to 12 hours.
• Refrigerate yogurt several hours or overnight to chill completely.