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Homemade Yoghurt

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Homemade yoghurt is so easy to make, even more so with an electric yoghurt maker but this isn’t essential. That said, if you want to make yoghurt on a regular basis, I would recommend buying an electric yoghurt maker – they are relatively inexpensive and use hardly any electricity. I’ve made yoghurt for years now and still have my trusty Lakeland yoghurt maker.
Ingredients wise, all you need is full cream milk and a few teaspoons of a live natural yoghurt to get you started – you can make yoghurt with semi skimmed milk but it isn’t as creamy. I’ve seen packets of yoghurt starters but I’ve never used them as I’ve always been happy with a small pot of natural live yoghurt as a starter.

I much prefer homemade yoghurt so I can then add my own fruit and flavours without any unwanted extras and I can keep the sugar content down. I use yoghurt in baking and cooking too, so having a large pot of yoghurt in the fridge always comes in handy for both sweet and savoury dishes. I’m waiting for our cucumbers to grow – with yoghurt they make a deliciously cooling raita. By contrast, yoghurt and freshly grated horseradish provide a creamy dressing or a dip.

Delicious Slow Cooker Peach Jam & only 3 ingredients! Take the heat out of jam making & let your Crockpot do all the work for you.

Slow Cooker Peach Jam & Homemade Thick & Creamy Yogurt

Making Homemade Yoghurt Tip

Every now and then I start from fresh, buying a new pot of yoghurt to ensure I have the right balance of yoghurt bacilli.

Homemade Yoghurt

 

Makes: Approximately 1 litre

Ingredients

  • 1 litre full cream pasteurised milk
  • 4 teaspoons plain live natural yoghurt
  • Strainer or sieve
You will need:
  • 1 large saucepan
  • Electric Yoghurt maker/warmer (or a wide necked vacuum flask or a large Pyrex bowl)
  • Pour the milk into a large saucepan and bring to the boil.
  • Turn the heat off and leave until milk is lukewarm.
  • Rinse your yoghurt pot (or flask or bowl) in hot water.
  • Place 4 teaspoons of live yoghurt in the bottom of your yoghurt pot and using the strainer pour over the lukewarm milk.
  • Stir gently and place the top on your pot or flask – if using a Pyrex bowl cover with cling film.
  • Place the yoghurt pot in the yoghurt warmer and leave for 8 hours.
  • If using a flask, leave for about 14 hours.
  • If using a bowl, place in a warm draught free place for about 14 hours.
  • The yoghurt will be sour if left for too long.
  • Refrigerate.
  • Your yoghurt will keep for at least a week in the fridge and don’t forget to keep 4 teaspoons back to make your next litre of yoghurt.

 

Thick and Creamy Yoghurt

 

Makes: Approx 1 litre

Ingredients

  • 1.25 litres full cream pasteurised milk
  • 4 teaspoons plain live natural yoghurt
  • Bring the milk to a boil in a large saucepan and turn down to a simmer.
  • Simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Turn the heat off and leave until milk is lukewarm.
  • Rinse out your yoghurt pot (or flask or bowl) in hot water.
  • Place 4 teaspoons of live yoghurt in the bottom of your yoghurt pot and using the strainer pour over the lukewarm milk.
  • Stir gently and place the top on your pot or flask – if using a Pyrex bowl cover with cling film.
  • Place the yoghurt pot in the yoghurt warmer and leave for 8 hours.
  • If using a flask, leave for about 14 hours.
  • If using a bowl, place in a warm draught free place for about 14 hours.
  • The yoghurt will be sour if left for too long.
  • Refrigerate.
  • Your yoghurt will keep for at least a week in the fridge and don’t forget to keep 4 teaspoons back to make your next litre of yoghurt.

I’m sending this recipe off to a couple of food challenges this month:

Frozen Peach Yoghurt and Oaty Crumb Topping (No Churn) - Tales From The Kitchen Shed

Saturday 4th of July 2020

[…] 500 ml (2 cups) greek yoghurt or try Homemade Creamy Yoghurt […]

Sugar Free Mini Cheesecakes - Tales From The Kitchen Shed

Sunday 31st of January 2016

[…] 4 tablespoons Greek yoghurt or home-made thick and creamy yoghurt […]

Slow Cooker Peach Jam - Tales From The Kitchen Shed

Wednesday 21st of October 2015

[…] I’m not sure it’s going to make it to the pantry, we’ve already had some with our homemade thick and creamy yoghurt. I feel a scone baking session is required – I’m drooling at the thought […]

sue

Wednesday 3rd of December 2014

I love the idea of making my own yoghurt, but was wondering if you could use a slow cooker on low setting maybe to keep it 'warm' either directly in the slow cooker or as a bain marie? save me having yet another kitchen item to store !!

sarahj

Wednesday 3rd of December 2014

Hi Sue, slow cooker temperatures do vary but are generally too hot to make yoghurt. You could try heating your cooker to a medium heat & turning it off when your milk is ready. Wrap your jar or pot in a towel & leave it in the oven or use a flask if you have one.

Glamorous Glutton

Friday 8th of August 2014

I've never made yogurt, but always intended to. I love thick creamy natural yogurt, I'm trying this with berries. I might even buy a yogurt maker. GG

sarahj

Friday 8th of August 2014

If you're going to make yoghurt on a regular basis it's well worth investing in a yoghurt maker. It really is an easy recipe and you can choose your own fruit or flavourings to add your thick and creamy yoghurt.