Sweet Berry Homemade Yogurt

  I have to admit that I love yogurts, and I cannot get enough but those store bought fruit yogurts are not as healthy as homemade. 
Every single day my little one asks for yogurt and since we were out of it and I was too tired to go and get him pack of his favorite yogurts from the store I've told him let's make yogurt in the kitchen. Soon two of my oldest kids joined us in disbelief that mom is making yogurt at home. All the thoughts of me being tired were gone and I've enjoyed every bit speanding this time with them.
They were stunned when I told them stories how my grandma use to make many kinds of cheeses, yogurt and sour cream. Of course it is not the same when you have a farm and milk coming from cow or goat parked in the back, however it's the closes thing to natural yogurt coming from your kitchen. 
While the rain was pouring down last week it was fun activity for me and them as well. 
8 hours later we had full container of yogurt. I liked the tangy taste and then when I added berries it was whole another flavor that took me to my childhood- the taste that we all seek from time to time.  

Homemade Plain Yogurt
You will Need:

• 5 cups of Reduced Fat milk {or whole milk} 
• 3 tbs. fat free plain yogurt, room temperature
• Food thermometer {with temperatures preferably 110F to 200 F}
• Largest pot with a fitted lid.
• Wooden kitchen spoon

Directions:

1. In a Large pot add water, boil for a few minutes, then add the spoon and thermometer. This sterilizes your equipment and ensures a better result.
2. Empty the pot with boiling water, then pour in the milk. 
3. Warm it to a temperature of 180F-185F, to kill bad bacteria that might contain.
4. At this point you will have to watch your milk so it doesn't burn down.
5. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside. 
6. You need to cool the milk to between 110F and 115F; this is the temperature where the live bacteria will efficiently ferment the milk.
7. Stir the yogurt into the milk, then immediately place the fitted lid on the pot. 
8. Move the pot at once to a warm place, where you can leave it for 7 hours or more.
9. There are two important rules to  keep in your mind: Keep the pot at a constant temperature of 110F. The live bacteria will become inactive at lower or higher temperatures. Don't move the pot at all, or stir the fermenting milk because that would slow down the process. My suggestion to keep the pot sit in an oven warmed on the lowest heat to keep consistent temperature; or previously preheat the oven, close and do not open. 
10. After 7 hours you can open up the lid and see the yogurt. The longer you leave the yogurt, the thicker it will become.
11. It will have a layer of liquid on top which will be bit yellow but this is normal. Just mix the curds and the liquid together however it would be alright to take the liquid out if you prefer with a spoon.
12. Pour your homemade yogurt into airtight containers, then refrigerate. Refrigeration will stop the bacteria in the yogurt from creating more lactic acid; that's why the yogurt stop fermentation. You can keep it for up to 5-7 days in the refrigerator.

Sweet Berry Homemade Yogurt
For this fruit yogurt:
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Blueberry
• 1 cup raspberry
• 2 cups yogurt
• 1/2 inch grated fresh ginger
• 2 Tbs. Sugar

Directions:

1. In a food processor or blender add yogurt, sugar and ginger. Let it process for minute. 
2. You can add fruits directly in it too, but for my presentation I did half plain with Ginger and sugar and than added some fruit yogurt as well on top. 
3. It is sweet, tangy, unique flavor of the yogurt...and as far as spiciness from ginger you will not feel it almost at all. 

Enjoy! 

NOTES:

• Homemade yogurts are thinner then those that you are buying in the store, but if you give more time to ferment it will become thicker. 
• I found that the best time to let milk ferment is over night, and it will be ready for you in the morning to refrigerate.
• Always keep your yogurt in the airtight container {in the refrigerator}.
• You can use any flavor to make yourself homemade fruit yogurt, and of course possibilities are endless.

There are many websites with pictures how to make homemade yogurt so I would like to share with you too. 
I kind of mixed and matched and made my own, but I want to give the credits where I looked for the inspiration.
Sources:
http://www.allfreecrafts.com
http://www.makeyourownyogurt.com/
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Yogurt

I hope you've enjoyed this post and hopefully one of these days try to make this homemade sweet and delicious yogurt, or just plain one. It is very easy! There is no need for extra equipment such a yogurt maker, just simple and what you already have in your kitchens. 
Enjoy your weekend!!!

Your friend,
Sandra



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