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Post by adcooper on Sept 5, 2013 18:26:24 GMT -5
We are thinking of getting a yogurt maker. Anyone make their own? We need it to be easy to do, and easy to clean up! And of course, delicious. It's just the two of us, so we would be making small batches. Anyone have a preferred gizmo? We already make our own granola (by "we" I mean "Bruce"), so just think how hippie healthy we would be.  You know, I bet Brooks and Brian (could) make fantastic yogurt and cheese with their goats' milk! |
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Post by jbrooks on Sept 5, 2013 22:02:09 GMT -5
Yes we do  Did actually,it was too much trouble for me. I am lazy |
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Post by adcooper on Sept 6, 2013 6:40:24 GMT -5
Tell me about the trouble, because I don't want any of that.
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Post by jbrooks on Sept 6, 2013 16:10:09 GMT -5
 Try to remember that what your doing is letting it go "sour", so without using enough sweetener you have really sour stuff. The other thing your doing is intensifying the taste of the milk. Just like when your making cheese. Cows milk is better tasting then goats. Goats have to be fed very sweet feed to get sweet milk. Example........feed an onion to a goat and then milk.........the milk tastes just like a raw onion  So the problem I had was the taste of the yogurt was very sourish. I was never able to get it right. Make sure you get the best tasting starting.......you buy what ever yogurt (unflavored) you like the best and use it as your starter. It's not that hard but you may have to make several batches before you get it right. I did not use a fancy "yogurt maker". I used clean mason jars with lids. Preparation Heat milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring and scraping bottom of pan often with a heatproof spatula (for a smooth yogurt, take care not to incorporate too much air), until thermometer registers 185°. Reduce heat to low and cook milk, without stirring or letting it heat above 185°, for 20-25 minutes (it will be slightly thicker at the longer cook time). Place pot in a large bowl filled with ice water. Stir constantly until thermometer registers 110° (don't go below). Immediately and gently stir in yogurt. Pour mixture into a 32-ounce jar. Cover jar and place in a warm spot in kitchen. Let mixture sit for 10-12 hours (do not disturb jar). Taste yogurt. If you prefer a thicker, tangier yogurt, let it stand 5-8 hours longer. Refrigerate. Remember to reserve 3 tablespoons for your next batch!
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Post by Big Tee© on Sept 6, 2013 19:24:54 GMT -5
Oh, jeez, Brooks, you ain't tasted BAD (or smelled bad) imtil you get a cow that was into stinkweed - mostly it smells so bad when you are milking, you finish as quick as possible and toss the milk. It's so rank even cats and dogs won't touch it, nor will calves still getting some milk. Another bad thing is crested wheat grass - no smell when milking but it tastes like fresh mown lawn smells.
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Post by adcooper on Sept 7, 2013 6:53:23 GMT -5
Wait a minute! I want delicious yogurt! And I just want to put milk or something in a glass jar and press a button. Then when I come back, I can stir it all together with fresh fruit and feel smug about my self-sufficiency. Are you saying I will need muck boots and a candy thermometer to accomplish this???  |
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Post by Pam on Sept 7, 2013 7:13:34 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of yogurt. I will eat raspberry once in awhile, but don't like it enough to ever make my own.
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Post by ZenRider on Sept 7, 2013 9:52:33 GMT -5
You can usually find it on the dairy shelf at the grocer.  |
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Post by jbrooks on Sept 7, 2013 11:24:04 GMT -5
Wait a minute! I want delicious yogurt! And I just want to put milk or something in a glass jar and press a button. Then when I come back, I can stir it all together with fresh fruit and feel smug about my self-sufficiency. Are you saying I will need muck boots and a candy thermometer to accomplish this???  Yes Anne dear you must work hard to make yogurt. No muck boots just buy your milk and make sure it's whole or low-fat, do not use fat free. And hope it comes out good and tasty. If you want easy yogurt take Zen's advice and buy it, it's so much easier. |
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Post by adcooper on Sept 7, 2013 14:07:04 GMT -5
I love yogurt, and I buy a lot of it, but I hate all the plastic containers. Sometimes I just look at the phenomenal amount of wasted packaging and feel ill. Come on, people! Reduce, re-use, recycle! I'm on it! It might take a bit of effort, but my planet is worth it! |
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Post by ZenRider on Sept 7, 2013 16:35:42 GMT -5
The plastic is recyclable at least.
I'd probably give myself food poisoning if I tried to make my own yogurt.
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Post by jbrooks on Sept 7, 2013 18:02:23 GMT -5
Well then don't buy the itty-bitty cups but the bigger containers. The wash them out and reuse the to store food or poke holes in the bottoms and use for planting. I have a friend that uses the big gallon milk containers for starting new plants. She cuts part of the top off. We reuse all kinds of stuff. I love glass jars. I think you should take the time and effort to make at least one batch of yogurt. BUT remember that most store boughts are sweeten with something and this will not be. It will taste more like the "plain" yogurt you buy. Not the flavored stuff. Now I must feed the dogs/cats and get dressed for church |
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Did actually,it was too much trouble for me. I am lazy 
Try to remember that what your doing is letting it go "sour", so without using enough sweetener you have really sour stuff. The other thing your doing is intensifying the taste of the milk. Just like when your making cheese. Cows milk is better tasting then goats. Goats have to be fed very sweet feed to get sweet milk. Example........feed an onion to a goat and then milk.........the milk tastes just like a raw onion 
Yes Anne dear you must work hard to make yogurt. No muck boots just buy your milk and make sure it's whole or low-fat, do not use fat free. And hope it comes out good and tasty. If you want easy yogurt take Zen's advice and buy it, it's so much easier.