Homemade Greek Yogurt Recipes

HOMEMADE PLAIN GREEK YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is steaming, barely bubbling and registers 180 degrees F on an instant-read or candy thermometer. (Do not leave unattended--it can boil over very quickly.)
• Carefully pour the milk into a clean, heat-safe 5- to 8-cup container. Let stand, stirring frequently, until cooled to 110 degrees F. Combine yogurt with 1/2 cup of the 110 degrees milk in a small bowl, then stir the mixture back into the warm milk.
• Cover the container and wrap in a clean kitchen towel to help keep it warm. Place in a very warm place (see Tip) and let stand, undisturbed, until thickened and tangy, at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. The yogurt will thicken a bit more in the refrigerator.
• Line a large fine-mesh sieve with 2 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Spoon the cooled yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours, depending on how thick you want it.

GREEK YOGURT

Steps:

• Make your own Greek yogurt: Line a sieve with a coffee filter and set it over a bowl. Place 4 cups plain whole-milk yogurt in the filter and refrigerate for 12 hours (you'll get about 2 cups thick yogurt). Divide among bowls; top with honey, dried fruit and walnuts. Serve with almond cookies.

MAKE YOUR OWN GREEK YOGHURT

Steps:

• Bring milk to just under boiling point and then pour the milk into a glass or earthenware dish. Let the milk cool to about 42°C/104°F Pour the yogurt/milk mixture into the milk carefully without disturbing the skin that may have formed on the surface of the milk. Cover with a cloth, place in a warm, draft-free place for 8 to 12 hours or overnight, and do not disturb it until the yoghurt thickens. Drain any excess liquid and store in the fridge.
• To make a "thick" yoghurt, remove the skin on the surface of the yoghurt (this is edible, btw, and lovely sprinkled with a bit of sugar) and pour the yoghurt into a muslin or cheesecloth bag. Hang the bag over a bowl and let drain for about 2 hours or until the desired thickness is obtained.
• Note: I have now made this recipe using 2% milk and have achieved very good results. Obviously, richness is lost, but so are calories (and fat). ;-).

FROZEN GREEK VANILLA YOGURT

Steps:

• Line a strainer or colander with 4 layers of cheesecloth or 1 coffee filter; place over a bowl. Place yogurt in prepared strainer; cover yogurt with sides of cheesecloth. Refrigerate 2-4 hours., Remove yogurt from cheesecloth to a bowl; discard strained liquid. Add sugar and vanilla to yogurt, stirring until sugar is dissolved., In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine cold water and lemon juice; sprinkle with gelatin and let stand 1 minute. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Stir and let mixture stand 1 minute or until gelatin is completely dissolved; cool slightly. Stir gelatin mixture into yogurt. Cover and refrigerate until cold, about 40 minutes. , Pour yogurt mixture into cylinder of ice cream freezer; freeze according to the manufacturer's directions., Transfer frozen yogurt to a freezer container. Freeze 2-4 hours or until firm enough to scoop.