Monday, August 19, 2013

Yogurt making part 2

Our third batch of yogurt. We decided to add 1/4 cup NFDM, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla to reference Emeril Legasse-kick it up a notch.

S.E. made this batch and he was very patient with the stirring and watching temperature.

I've been trying to involve them more in the food prep and cooking process as of late and their one complaint is how hard everything I show them turns out to be.

I tell them, it's because I'm showing them and I've been cooking since I was ten so of course it looks easy when I do it...I've had more practice.

With everything in life, practice, practice, practice is the key.

It clicked for them with soccer, swimming, basketball, and reading.


Friday, August 16, 2013

Salton Yogurt Maker

I got an old yogurt maker at a neighbor's yard sale.  She gave it to me. For free. It was made in the USA. She remembered having it in her youth.  Got passed down to her and she never used it. One man's hand-me-downs, well in this case, it's now my hand-me-down.

It has been sitting on my counter for over two weeks because we've been on vacation.

Just got back on Sunday and on Monday, I made my first batch of yogurt.

Just plain yogurt using this recipe:

Plugged in my Salton yogurt maker.
Heated 1 quart 1% milk to 180F with constant stirring.
Removed from stove and cooled down to 130F, then added 2 TBSP plain, nonfat Greek yogurt (Chobani) and stirred until completely incorporated (this is the starter culture to start the fermentation).

Poured into the cleaned ceramic jars. Closed the lids and left it alone for 10 hours.  Then place in refrigerator for several hours and it's ready to enjoy.

Result:  Slightly thinner than store bought but way tastier. Less acidic and the best part-the boys liked it with just blueberries!!!

Yesterday, I taught Koo to make it. This time, I made two changes:  added 1/4 cup of nonfat, dry milk (NFDM) to increase the thickeness and decreased the milk by 1/2 cup to accommodate the NFDM.  Oh, and the best part-I just used 2 TBSP of the yogurt I made on Monday as the starter!!!

Cost? About $1.25 for five 6 oz. cups. 
In our college town, school starts next Wednesday.

Does this seem too early? In my opinion, I think yes.  It starts two weeks earlier than the rest of WA state.

But then, I was chatting with a friend from Chicago and they started two weeks ago.  Yikes! 

I wish my kids have a longer summer...one filled with lots of swimming, hiking, playing with friends, and just chillin'.