Homemade Yogurt

June 27, 2016 | by Ami | 2 Minute Read

My husband grew up on cereal for breakfast. Froot Loops. Lucky Charms. Rice Krispies. When he got older he switched over to "healthier" cereals - Special K, Honey Bunches of Oats, etc...But, I schooled him to the fact about a year ago that those "grown up" cereals are not any better for you than those sugary cereals we loved as kids (and still sneak a bowl of every now and then). They are full of carbs and lack protein. One of the best diet changes we have made in the last several years was ditching the daily morning bowl of cereal for a bowl of yogurt and granola topped with fresh berries. Not only does it taste better, we feel better.

However, our family quickly found ourselves blowing through a lot of yogurt, which can get expensive at the grocery store when buying organic yogurt. Luckily, my family has been making homemade yogurt for years. It is a quick process that anyone can do at home. Just save a little bit of your store bought yogurt or borrow a tablespoon of a friend's homemade yogurt (called a yogurt starter) and follow these steps:

1. You will need an air-tight glass jar with a screw on lid.
2. Measure out almost a jar full of your milk of choice (we prefer organic whole) and bring it to boil on a small pot. Keep an eye on the pot. You want a nice film to form on the surface of the milk and you want minimal boiling underneath the film. But, you do not want it to boil over.
3. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the yogurt starter to the jar.
4. Transfer the heated milk, including the surface film, into the glass jar and mix with the yogurt starter. My mom, "the yogurt expert," says it is important to add the yogurt starter to the jar first and then pour in the heated milk and mix. Don't doubt Nani!
5. Heat the jar and contents on high in a microwave WITHOUT the lid for 50 seconds.
6. Screw on the lid and place the jar on the kitchen counter overnight covered with an oven mitt or towel.
7. It should be nice and thick in the morning with a little jiggle. Put it in the fridge and it is ready to serve once cold.

Enjoy!