Home Dairy: Making Yogurt

 Cohen, Annika and Lakin are my big yogurt eaters around here. So yogurt was high on my list of things to make with our milk. My first attempt didn't go really well- trying to make raw milk yogurt, using a subpar brand for starter. But after that all my batches have turned out just fine. 

It's a pretty simple process....sterilize your equipment- I usually throw everything into my pot with water and boil it. Once that's done I pour what's left of the water into quart sized jars for use during the incubation period.

Heat the milk over low heat, stirring often. Once it hits 180* take it off the stove and allow it to cool to 110*. I put mine in a sink full of cold water to help this step go more quickly.

Once it's at 110* add the starter. I have been using a few tablespoons of plain organic yogurt from the store, but plan on buying cultures to see if it helps firm up the finished product a little bit. 

Stir well and pour into containers- preferable glass. Stick them in a cooler with your jars of really hot water and close the cooler. Allow it to sit for 6 hours undisturbed before checking on it. Put it somewhere prominent- I always forget about it and mine is on the kitchen table. Incubation time is 6-12 hours total. When its done stick it in the fridge to cool.

linked to The Homestead Barn Hop