Homemade Yogurt

I'm not a huge milk drinker and so there are times when I have some extra milk around that I need to use up quickly and while I don't love to drink plain milk--I do love yogurt but so much of it is loaded with sugar and the light versions have fake sugar. I just can't stand the taste of aspartame. I read about making homemade Yogurt in French Women Don't get Fat and it is fairly simple to do. It helps to have a candy thermometer, but you can do it without it.

1 half-gallon milk (I used 1% lactose-free milk since I am apparently lactose intolerant now)
2-3 tablespoons plain yogurt (Make sure it says active-live cultures on it)

Pour milk into a sauce pan and heat on low until the temperature reaches between 175-185 degrees F. You do not want the milk to boil so watch it toward the end. You are basically scalding the milk. You will see steam rising up and bubbles along the side.  On my stove this takes about 40 minutes on low heat. Then cool the milk for about 30-40 minutes until it reaches 110-115 degrees F. If you do not have a thermometer you can put your finger in the milk and hold it for ten seconds it is ready. This is amazingly pretty accurate. At this point stir in the yogurt. Then transfer the milk to an insulated container. I use a glass bowl covered with plastic wrap and then wrap the bowl in several dish towels to keep it warm. Turn on the oven for just a minute to take the chill off and then turn it off. Place the bowl in the oven for overnight or 8-12 hours. In the morning you will have yogurt! The longer you leave it the thicker and tangier it will be. It makes about 7 cups.

I really love the flavor of it and it is so smooth and creamy!!  In my experience, it is a little thinner than store bought, but it can be strained with a cheese cloth and a strainer (or in my case a paper towel and a strainer.) Often I leave it as is because it is the perfect consistency to add to smoothies. It is delicious with a little honey or some cut up or pureed fruit. Right now we have lots of left over baby food because my 7th month old takes 5 bites and is finished with table food so I just mix the rest of it into yogurt. Enjoy!

Book Accompaniment- French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano A great read that helps you appreciate quality food with great tips and recipes.

Serving size 1 cup
Calories  128 Fat 2.9g Sugar 14g Protein 9.3g
Note: These numbers come from the milk and yogurt in the recipe and they may be slightly off (especially the sugar) because the cultures eat most of the sugar.