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Blog Posts Tagged yogurt | Andrea Orem

yogurt

Creamy Goodness: How to Make Homemade Greek Yogurt

Creamy Goodness: How to Make Homemade Greek Yogurt
In the world of culinary creations, few things offer the versatility, nutrition, and satisfaction of yogurt. Whether it's dolloped atop granola for breakfast, blended into smoothies for a midday pick-me-up, or used as a creamy base for sauces and dips, yogurt has firmly cemented its place in our culinary repertoire and personally in the Orem household, we love it! We only enjoy it made with raw milk as that is what we can digest well here, but you can use whichever type of milk you drink (whole milk will be best for thicker, greek yogurt). While store-bought options abound, there's something undeniably special about crafting your own creamy concoction at home, and it's healthier!

Making yogurt from scratch may seem daunting at first (I spent WAYYYY too long trying to figure out how to heat it or whether to heat it, etc) but fear not! With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience, you can whip up a batch of homemade yogurt that rivals the best commercial brands. Let's dive into the delightful world of DIY yogurt-making below, 2 different options:

Recipe #1

Ingredients:

  • Milk (any variety - whole milk will yield the creamiest results, but you can also use skim or low-fat milk)
  • Yogurt starter culture (either store-bought plain yogurt with live active cultures or a powdered starter, I linked my favorite and now I just save a little from each batch for the next batch! We LOVE the flavor from this one.)
  • Optional flavorings (such as vanilla extract -- I make my own!, local honey, or fruit)

Equipment:

  • Saucepan
  • Thermometer
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Insulated container (such as a thermos or a yogurt maker)
  • Clean kitchen towel or blanket

Instructions:

  1. Heat the Milk: Pour your desired amount of milk into a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it reaches around 180°F (82°C). This helps to kill off any unwanted bacteria and denature the proteins in the milk, resulting in a smoother texture.
  2. Cool the Milk: Allow the milk to cool to around 110°F (43°C). This is the optimal temperature for the yogurt cultures to thrive. You can speed up the cooling process by placing the saucepan in a cold water bath.
  3. Add the Starter: Once the milk has cooled, whisk in your yogurt starter culture -- I like to use my frother for this part! If you're using store-bought yogurt as your starter, aim for about 2-3 tablespoons per quart of milk. If you're using a powdered starter, follow the package instructions for the appropriate amount.
  4. Incubate the Yogurt: Transfer the milk mixture into your insulated container. This could be a thermos, an instant pot, a yogurt maker, or simply a glass jar wrapped in a kitchen towel or blanket to retain warmth. Keep the container in a warm place (ideally around 100-110°F or 38-43°C) for 6-24 hours (We prefer longer!), allowing the yogurt cultures to ferment and thicken the mixture.
  5. Check for Doneness: After the incubation period, check the yogurt for desired thickness. If it's too runny, you can let it incubate for a bit longer and/or strain out some of the whey to increase thickness. If it's thickened to your liking, transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for a few hours before enjoying. I like to blend it after removing some of the whey for the smooth creamy texture.
  6. Optional Flavorings: Once chilled, you can customize your yogurt with flavorings of your choice. Stir in a splash of vanilla extract, a drizzle of honey, or swirl in some fruit preserves for a delightful burst of flavor.
Voila! You've just crafted your own batch of homemade yogurt, ready to be savored and enjoyed in countless delicious ways. Experiment with different milk varieties, starter cultures, and flavorings to create your own signature yogurt creations. With a little practice, you'll be a yogurt-making pro in no time. Come back and let me know your preferences, I'd love to hear! Cheers to homemade goodness!


Alternate Instant Pot Method (my preference):

Ingredients:

  • Milk (any variety -- raw, store bought, whole preferred)
  • Yogurt starter culture (store-bought plain yogurt with live active cultures or powdered starter)

Equipment:

  • Instant Pot
  • Thermometer
  • Whisk or spoon
  • Clean kitchen towel or blanket

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Instant Pot: Start by ensuring your Instant Pot is clean and sanitized. Pour a cup of water into the Instant Pot insert and set it to "Pressure Cook" mode for 1 minute. Once done, carefully release the pressure and discard the water. This step helps sterilize the Instant Pot.
  2. Pour Milk Into the Instant Pot: Pour your desired amount of milk directly into the Instant Pot insert. I usually use a quart of milk for us for 5-7 days of yogurt (but we also don't eat it daily and only have 3 in our family so far).
  3. Add the Starter: Whisk in your yogurt starter culture. If you're using store-bought yogurt as your starter or saved yogurt from your last batch, aim for about 2-3 tablespoons per quart of milk. If you're using a powdered starter, follow the package instructions for the appropriate amount.
  4. Mix Well: Stir the milk and starter together until well combined. I like to use my frother for this!
  5. Incubate the Yogurt: Place the Instant Pot lid on, ensuring it's in the sealing position. Set the Instant Pot to the "Yogurt" setting. Depending on your Instant Pot model, you may need to adjust the settings to "Normal" or "Custom" for a longer fermentation time. Typically, yogurt is incubated for 8-24 hours (we prefer longer), but you can adjust the time according to your desired tartness and thickness.
  6. Check for Doneness: After the incubation period, check the yogurt for desired thickness. If it's too runny, you can let it incubate for a bit longer and/or strain out some of the whey with a cheesecloth if you'd like it thicker. If it's thickened to your liking, transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for a few hours before enjoying.
  7. Optional Flavorings: Once chilled, you can customize your yogurt with flavorings of your choice. Stir in a splash of vanilla extract, a drizzle of honey, or swirl in some fruit preserves for a delightful burst of flavor.
With this Instant Pot method, you can enjoy homemade yogurt with minimal effort and no need to heat the milk separately. It's a convenient and efficient way to create creamy yogurt right in your own kitchen. Experiment with different milk varieties, starter cultures, and flavorings to find your perfect yogurt combination. Happy yogurt-making!


This is my health story

 

I have always been sensitive. That's a word that has described me, my body in particular, my whole life. I have skin sensitivities to fabrics, bruise easily, I get cold easily, I tend to be on "alert" all of the time (no coffee needed here!), I'm a musician and very creative, and I don't even THINK about using any conventional personal care or other products that are scented... they bother my skin, and they bother my respiratory system too. I've never been able to use any scented products because of the discomfort and increased sensitivity they cause. I can't be around people who wear perfume or scented deodorant, because I can't breathe well and my head has discomfort. I can't go into a public bathroom that has been just cleaned because of the toxic chemicals they used to clean it. I can't enjoy candles or most lotions or makeup like most women I know because I'm sensitive to it.

During my first semester of college, I started to develop debilitating discomfort in my jaw, which I was later told is TMJD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction, not just the kind of little twinge when you bite down on something too hard, but long-lasting aching, along with clicking and cracking. It was exacerbated by singing, gum-chewing, caffeine, and other things, and I was easily able to cut out all of the things listed on my doctor's list except for one -- singing. I was a vocal music education major, and singing was my livelihood (or at least soon-to-be), so I couldn't just not practice! I struggled so hard for 2.5 years through long choir rehearsals, voice lessons, practice sessions, and more. By the end of the day, it would be so bad that I'd almost be in tears. My roommates and boyfriend (and his roommates!), bless their servant hearts, would bring me freezing cold ice packs to numb my face enough so that I could fall asleep at least, though I would wake up in the night unable to fall back asleep due to other sleep issues I also was dealing with.

It seemed like a vicious cycle that I needed to stop. Maybe I needed to change majors and give up my dream of making music, of teaching others to make music too. Maybe I needed to pick something that didn't require so much singing and talking. Even smiling a lot bothered me, so maybe I needed to pick a major or job with less human interaction. But THAT idea broke my heart. I didn't enjoy any of the things I could think of! My boyfriend at the time (now husband!) and I had many conversations about what I should do... singing was part of the fabric of my BEING. I am MADE to sing. If you know me, you know that hardly an hour went by without me humming or singing some little tune. But my jaw bothered me so much most of the time that I needed to change SOMETHING. But what?

And that's when change came...

I found some natural and pretty simple solutions -- though simple doesn't always mean easy! It required a LOT of discipline and self-control on my part.

I'm blessed now to have so many versatile tools in my tool box for any emotion, body system, or issue I may be experiencing. So, where am I now? Healthier than I’ve EVER been. I have NO jaw issues anymore when I keep up my self-created protocol. I sleep through the night. I feel so much better now that I'm sleeping more and deeper. I've spent 4 years now working through the emotional issues I faced in early career, and I am so happy that I can now FEEL emotions without feeling completely run-over and frozen by emotions. I’m also happy to say that I have only had little illnesses since finding solutions, not the constant strep throat and other illnesses I was getting at least once per month before! And, that’s saying a lot as I was constantly around germs while working full time with 500+ elementary students. But once I started supporting my immune system, I stopped getting sick every couple of weeks. I can clean with the most amazing smelling cleaner without coughing. I can wear my own homemade "perfume" and get compliments, and not only does it smell good, it supports my body systems. I can use amazing smelling shampoo now! I can have twice as much energy for the day without drinking any coffee or sugary drink. When I started having these successes, I was at first in disbelief, and now in awe at all that God's created, I believe, and given us for our good. Now these are my first line of defense, my go-tos, the first thing I do when something is off, which is not very often anymore (usually just when the weather changes, ah MN life).


I look forward to living a beautiful life of freedom and feeling empowered every single day, enjoying the life I was meant to live. That life includes sharing my story of overcoming and helping you also find better, safer solutions to overcome your daily struggles.

Are you ready to live empowered to be your own best advocate? Let's chat.

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