Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Stuff That Angels Eat!!

I swear (ok, I try not to around the kids though!) if you have never eaten homemade yogurt, you are definitely missing out! If I eat this all summer I could definitely shed some of this winter fat!

Now, how do you make this nectar of the gods?! Well it has 2 simple ingredients....


2 cups of milk and 2 tablespoons of yogurt.


For your first batch, use a store bought yogurt. You want to make sure that your store yogurt is plain or vanilla and contains live and active cultures. It should say that on the container. I used a small container.


Put your 2 cups of milk in a small saucepan and slowly bring the temp up to 180 degrees. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool to 105 degrees.


Once it is cooled, gently stir in your 2 tablespoons of yogurt.


Pour into a glass canning jar with a lid and ring. Cover with the 2 piece lid. Now for my fancy schmancy yogurt maker! You may even have one and don't even know it!


I know! Isn't that crazy?! It really works though! You want to put the thermos in the sink and gently put your jar of yogurt into it. Now fill the thermos with boiling water, put the lid on and leave it alone for 3-4 hours. I go as far as to leave mine overnight.

Remove your jar of homemade yogurt and chill. You can use this culture up to 9 times before you need to start over with a new one. Right before you run out, just reserve 2 tablespoons for a new batch!


Wait til you try this! Fresh fruit, I used blackberries, and homemade yogurt! Just put a few pieces of fruit in a glass, add some yogurt, and keep layering til the glass is full. This is the real deal and you won't go back to store bought, except for a new culture! It is so smooth and creamy. You can taste how much lighter it is than the store bought.


Or how about this for lunch? Replace the mayo in tuna salad with your yogurt. Less calories and much more flavor! My kids can tell the difference and prefer the yogurt version over the mayo one.

Need more convincing? Mix a little honey in a small bowl of yogurt, slice up some apples and you have a light snack. Perfect for summer with all the fresh fruit available.

Maybe Theresa @ 612 Riverside will even whip out her yogurt pie recipe to share! Hint hint Theresa!

Yvonne @ Stone Gable did a post on homemade popsicles. I bet they would be great with homemade yogurt. For a flavored yogurt just mix in pureed fresh fruit. For chocolate yogurt, oh yes you can make chocolate yogurt, mix in some pudding mix. I don't know how healthy it is, but yum!

What are your favorite ways to eat yogurt?

9 comments:

Cher' Shots said...

I've seen other recipes for homemade yogurt but this is the one I plan to try ~ It looks super easy and fast. THANKS for sharing!
'hugs from afar'

Lynn said...

Well that's interesting! The more things we can make for ourselves with whole ingredients the better! This is neat idea:@)

Jane@Cottage at the Crossroads said...

I'm so glad you posted this because I have wanted to make some homemade yogurt for a while. I did a little yogurt experiment. For 2 years I ate nothing but yogurt for lunch (Mon.-Fri.) while I was teaching school. You know how teachers get exposed to so many germs in the classroom. Well, I didn't have a cold that entire time that I ate yogurt. I know that made the difference because before that I caught every cold coming and going. Then I retired and stopped eating my yogurt. Can't wait to try my own.

Mimi said...

Great idea using the thermos.
Mimi

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Hi Maggie,
Homemade yoghurt is so much nicer than yoghurt bought in the shop, although, I really like Total 0% fat yogurt ( don't know if you have it over in the US, but you will have the equivalent ) and mix in Manuka honey. You would never know that it's 0% fat. I've been eating LOADS of yoghurt lately. DELICIOUS. XXXX

Hildie said...

Never heard of homemade yogurt before. Well, I'd heard of it but I thought only weirdo hippies made it. Not cool people LIKE US! I will definitely be trying this!

Lori said...

Never would have dreamed of making my own yogurt ~ you are a superwoman I say!! I have one every day ~ I love vanilla with fresh blueberries the best. Have a wonderful long week-end Maggie ~ hope the sun finds you! xo

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

Thanks for the well wishes,dear friend! Your new header is the best in bloggland! What darling kiddie!

I am making you yogurt. How clever and delicious,

Thanks for serving our country. I admire you greatly...and love you lots too!
Yvonne

Jacqueline said...

What a beautiful new blog design. I adore the background too. I have never heard of making yogurt this way. We used to make our own, I need to start again, I know it is much better. What fun ideas you included too. I think yogurt parfaits are one of my favorites.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.