Homemade Yogurt Recipe

Hi everyone! I have had a few friends ask for my yogurt recipe- This is a revised version from the Breaking the Vicious Cycle Introductory Diet by Elaine Gottshal. I make my yogurt without a yogurt maker. All you need are the following:

Tools:
- Large stove pot
- Thermometer (I use a milk thermometer- candy works too)
- Slow cooker (i use this as an incubator)
- small container (for starter)

Ingredients:
- Whole milk (any type of milk works- almond, rice, soy, goats or cow- please see note* for information on alternative milks)
- Commercial yogurt (you need 1 scoop/litre of milk)

*NOTE: You can use any type of milk, just make sure your starter is the same (ie: soy milk with soy yogurt). If you do NOT have a starter available, you may use probiotics instead.
**NOTE: You can make as much yogurt as you need- I make two bags (3L) each batch.


Preparation:

1. Put milk into stove pot. Heat at LOW-MED until it reaches 180-200f. (NOTE: alternative milks must be stopped at 180f or else it may burn) check temp with thermometer. Stir to ensure milk does not burn to bottom.

2. Once milk reaches desired temp, place in sink filled with ice water. Let cool to 100f.

3. While milk cools, take 1-2 scoops of starter commercial yogurt (or probiotic) in small container. Let this reach room temperature.

4. Once milk cools, pour into slow cooker- take a scoop of milk and add to your starter- mix and then pour into milk. Place lid and thermometer to ensure temp stays between 90-110f*.

5. Let sit for at least 24 hours. This is required to ensure the proper amount of good bacteria.

NOTE: DO NOT TURN ON YOUR SLOW COOKER- I use it only for incubating and ensuring temp does not fall down- as the temperature reaches 95f, turn slow cooker on for 5-10 minutes on LOW- then turn it off. DO NOT LEAVE SLOW COOKER ON- yogurt will curdle and kill all of the essential good bacteria.

6. After 24 hours- place slow cooker pot into fridge and refrigerate for 5-6 hours.

and voila! delicious, homemade yogurt- this sounds time consuming- but it really isn't- and you save A TON of money from purchasing commercial yogurt.

Photos to come :)