Yoghurt

[Annemieke]

I always make 4 pints at a time, about once a week if that. I boil the milk, put it in a bowl, let it cool down till my finger does not get burned (which is, apparently, 46.5°), stir in a few spoonfuls of the old yoghurt, cover and wrap it in 2 coats. Then I put half in the fridge and the other half in our cool corridor. Not much work, washing up or electricity!

[demi]

I'm making yogurt just now and im keeping the same yogurt going for as long as possible. Is that alright or should i start from fresh after a while?

I get fresh raw milk delivered from the farm. I boil the milk to steralize it then leave it to cool until you can keep your finger in it for 10 seconds. Then add a few spoons of yogurt, i just stick whatever's left from the last batch into the new milk, and mix it in. Then i pour it into a box with a lid, put it inside a plastic bag tied at the top and then wrapped in a table cloth and i put it on the shelf above the wood burner and leave it all day or night. When its ready the yogurt has set at the bottom and there is a thin layer of whay on top which i drain off carefully. You can strain it through cheese cloth to get it thicker and leave it to drip for a few more hours but i never bother.

[Annemieke]

Hi Demi, I have not bought in any new yoghurt since the last time we went on a two-week holiday - about five years ago.
I never thought of keeping my finger in for 10 seconds - a perfect gauge!
Love, Annemieke.

[demi]

Hi Demi, I have not bought in any new yoghurt since the last time we went on a two-week holiday - about five years ago.
I never thought of keeping my finger in for 10 seconds - a perfect gauge!
Love, Annemieke.

Yes, my Macedonian gran-in-law told me that one. It works!

I just started some new yogurt because i forgot about it for over 24 hours and it smelled like cheese so i think it went off
But i make about half a kilo every other day from any left over milk. If i don't have enough milk i top it up with raw milk then boil it. Maybe you're not supposed to do that but i make sure its boiled really well.

[Thomzo]

I've just bought an electric yogurt maker as I was getting hit and miss results with a thermos. Frankly, I'm still getting his and miss results with the yogurt maker and it uses 10 hours of electricity.

Zoe

I've had a few months' practice now and the results are a lot better. I use skimmed milk and manage to get it to set pretty well. The trick is to use enough starter, about a quarter the volume of the milk. That makes a pretty good, thick, virtually fat-free yogurt.

Zoe