Greek Yogurt

By Jan_C

This may look like a lot of work, but it's really not. Plus, it is so worth it, and so economical. Just one gallon of milk will make 8 to 10 servings. Compare that price with the price of just one store-bought container of yogurt.

I've included two methods: One is for if you have a crockpot (the method I use and prefer) and the other is for if you don't. When I first learned how to make yogurt (many years ago) crockpots hadn't even been invented yet. But since they have, I like this method.

This recipe is for one gallon of milk, but just use 1/2 gallon to try it first, if you're scared.

Ingredients

• 1 gallon milk – fat content of your choice (I use non-fat milk)
• 4 to 6 tablespoons plain prepared yogurt (make sure it contains live, active cultures)
• cooking thermometer
• cheesecloth to fit 4 layers in a large colander

Details

Adapted from happysimpleliving.com

Preparation

Step 1

To begin, *pour all but 4 tablespoons milk into a double boiler or heavy-bottomed pan and turn the heat to medium*. If using a double boiler, cover the milk. If the pot is directly on the burner, stir it and watch it very, very carefully so you don’t burn the bottom.

*Heat the milk to 180-185 degrees F.* It helps to have a candy thermometer or you can use an instant-read thermometer instead.

Immediately remove the pot from the stove and place in a tub (sink) of ice water (just to cool it more quickly, or you can just leave it for about an hour to achieve the same result). *Let the milk cool to between 105 and 110 degrees F.* (if you can hold your pinky in comfortably for a count of ten, it's ready). *Meanwhile, if you have a crockpot* (my preferred method) *turn it on to high* (just to warm it until you place the heated milk into it). *Otherwise, warm (with hot water) a ceramic bowl large enough to hold the milk. *

Now, *combine the 4 tablespoons of milk you saved with the prepared yogurt in a small bowl and reserve*.

Once the milk has cooled to between 105 and 110 degrees, *pour the milk through a strainer* (to strain out any "scorched" milk from the bottom of the pot) *into the warm crockpot, or into a warmed ceramic bowl.*

*Add in the yogurt/milk mixture to the milk and stir well to combine*.

*Cover the crockpot or bowl with a lid and cover with 2 or 3 towels.* (I've read you can place the covered ceramic bowl into an oven with the light bulb on, but I've never tried it. Just make sure that the towel isn’t too near the light bulb.)

*Leave the yogurt for 7 or 8 hours, or overnight*.

In the morning, *carefully unwrap the crockpot/bowl, and remove the lid.* Check to see whether the milk has turned to yogurt. If your batch isn’t quite thickened, re-cover it and check on it again in an hour. *Once the yogurt is sufficiently thickened, you can stop at this stage if you want regular yogurt. Just stir the mixture and refrigerate it*; you may need to pour off a little of the watery liquid.

*BUT for creamier, thicker Greek yogurt, refrigerate the yogurt for at least two hours to allow it to completely cool and thicken. Line a large colander with four layers of damp cheesecloth and find a bowl that the colander will fit inside*.

*Put the strainer inside the bowl and pour the yogurt in; refrigerate for one hour. Pour out the liquid that has accumulated in the bottom of the bowl*; this is the whey. You can save the whey and use it for cooking (a common use is as a liquid in homemade bread recipes) or discard it. *Return the bowl to the refrigerator for one more hour, strain the liquid again and the yogurt should now look thick and creamy*.

*If you like it really rich and creamy*, like I do, pour the yogurt into a deep rectangular (not necessary, but preferable) container, and *place a microfiber dishcloth loosely on top*. *After a few hours*, the whey will have saturated the towel. *Squeeze out the whey*, and *replace the dishcloth loosely on top*. You can keep doing this for a few days to your preference, at which time it will have a whipped cream cheese consistency, and the taste -- you'll be surprised to find you won't even WANT any flavorings or fruit.