Yogurt is a staple food in my refrigerator. I've been a fan of the Yoplait Light line of yogurts for several years. With flavors like Boston cream pie, strawberry shortcake and raspberry cheesecake, what's not to like? I also like that Yoplait Light has 100 or 110 calories per six ounce container, making it a sensible snack.
Last year I tried making my own yogurt at home using a crock pot. That was a surprisingly easy and successful way to make plain yogurt at home, but I really like having my yogurt portioned out in individual serving size containers. Oh, sure, I could have done that on my own, but I didn't own any appropriately sized containers. Excuses...Excuses...
That brings me to my new favorite kitchen gadget. I received a yogurt maker as a gift and have been busy making a batch of yogurt once a week since receiving it. The yogurt maker came with the yogurt cooker and seven, six ounce glass containers with screw on lids. The lids also have a built in calendar in the lid that allows you to set the freshness date on your jars. Handy, right?
The yogurt maker is also a convenient place to store the jars and lids between batches of yogurt. It keeps everything together, right where I need them.
Since getting this yogurt maker I've been making plain, non-fat yogurt using skim milk. It's as easy as one, two, three. Really. First I measure 42 ounces of milk into a pan and heat it over medium heat to boiling.
After the milk boils for a minute, or two, it is taken off the heat to cool to lukewarm. I use an ice bath to speed the cooling.
Once the milk is lukewarm, a small amount is mixed with six ounces of plain yogurt, either from a prior batch, or from the grocery store. That mixture is then combined with the rest of the milk until completely mixed.
The yogurt and milk mixture is then divided evenly among seven jars and placed uncovered in the yogurt cooker. Set the timer for 10 hours and forget it until 10 hours later. That's when the covers are placed on the jars, the date is set to mark the last date of freshness and the jars are refrigerated. Does 10 hours seem like a long time to wait for the yogurt to cook? It's perfect timing for making a batch at night before bed and having it ready to put away in the refrigerator in the morning.
See, I told you it is easy. Each batch saves $4.00 - $6:00 depending on the price of yogurt in the store that week. I sweeten the yogurt with my favorite sweetener (usually Splenda so as not to add additional calories) and top with my favorite berry mixture. I'm using frozen strawberries, blackberries and raspberries that I thaw quickly in my microwave.
Besides saving money I like that I am controlling everything that is going into my yogurt. I like knowing what is in my food and this is just one more way I can control the amount of processed foods I eat. Saving money and eating healthy...good things.
Recipes you can make with plain yogurt:
Chocolate Chocolate Cupcakes
Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
Lemon Yogurt Cake
Enjoy!
This is not a sponsored post. I just love my yogurt maker.
Last year I tried making my own yogurt at home using a crock pot. That was a surprisingly easy and successful way to make plain yogurt at home, but I really like having my yogurt portioned out in individual serving size containers. Oh, sure, I could have done that on my own, but I didn't own any appropriately sized containers. Excuses...Excuses...
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| Yogurt Maker |
The yogurt maker is also a convenient place to store the jars and lids between batches of yogurt. It keeps everything together, right where I need them.
Since getting this yogurt maker I've been making plain, non-fat yogurt using skim milk. It's as easy as one, two, three. Really. First I measure 42 ounces of milk into a pan and heat it over medium heat to boiling.
 |
| First Boil the Milk |
After the milk boils for a minute, or two, it is taken off the heat to cool to lukewarm. I use an ice bath to speed the cooling.
 |
| My Ice Bath |
Once the milk is lukewarm, a small amount is mixed with six ounces of plain yogurt, either from a prior batch, or from the grocery store. That mixture is then combined with the rest of the milk until completely mixed.
 |
| Mixing the Milk with Plain Yogurt |
The yogurt and milk mixture is then divided evenly among seven jars and placed uncovered in the yogurt cooker. Set the timer for 10 hours and forget it until 10 hours later. That's when the covers are placed on the jars, the date is set to mark the last date of freshness and the jars are refrigerated. Does 10 hours seem like a long time to wait for the yogurt to cook? It's perfect timing for making a batch at night before bed and having it ready to put away in the refrigerator in the morning.
 |
| A Batch of Yogurt Ready to Cook |
See, I told you it is easy. Each batch saves $4.00 - $6:00 depending on the price of yogurt in the store that week. I sweeten the yogurt with my favorite sweetener (usually Splenda so as not to add additional calories) and top with my favorite berry mixture. I'm using frozen strawberries, blackberries and raspberries that I thaw quickly in my microwave.
Besides saving money I like that I am controlling everything that is going into my yogurt. I like knowing what is in my food and this is just one more way I can control the amount of processed foods I eat. Saving money and eating healthy...good things.
Recipes you can make with plain yogurt:
Chocolate Chocolate Cupcakes
Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
Lemon Yogurt Cake
Enjoy!
This is not a sponsored post. I just love my yogurt maker.
I had no idea you could even make your own yogurt. I love the stuff.
ReplyDeleteAllie
I know, Allie. It seems too good to be true, doesn't it? If you buy the equipment outright, the initial cost is a bit pricey, but if you love yogurt you'll make it back quickly is savings. Have you seen my post on making ricotta cheese at home? That's easy too, and Oh so yummy!
ReplyDeleteI am still looking for my yogurt maker I used in college. I know it is in this house somewhere!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Robin. You MUST find that yogurt maker!
DeleteYou have a very cute blog! I love your yogurt recipe! I have been interested in making yogurt for some time, I can't wait to try it! Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteHi, SereneB. Thanks for visiting. Please let me know how your yogurt making works out. I really enjoy it. We can compare notes.
Delete