Homemade Greek Yogurt Recipes

Steps:

• Make your own Greek yogurt: Line a sieve with a coffee filter and set it over a bowl. Place 4 cups plain whole-milk yogurt in the filter and refrigerate for 12 hours (you'll get about 2 cups thick yogurt). Divide among bowls; top with honey, dried fruit and walnuts. Serve with almond cookies.

Steps:

• Let the Greek yogurt stand at room temperature while you prepare the cooler and the milk mixture.
• Fill three 1-quart plastic containers or glass jars with hot tap water (about 115 degrees F); cover. Place the containers in a small insulated cooler and pour in enough hot water (115 degrees F) to come about 2 inches up the sides. Close the cooler and let it preheat. Rinse two more 1-quart containers or glass jars with hot water (115 degrees F); set aside.
• Add a splash of water to a large saucepan and swirl to coat the bottom of the pan (this will help keep the milk mixture from scorching). Add the half-and-half and milk to the saucepan and bring to a simmer (180 degrees F to 190 degrees F) over medium-low heat, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula to prevent a skin from forming and to prevent the mixture from scorching.
• Remove from the heat and allow the temperature to drop to 115 degrees F. Whisk in the Greek yogurt until smooth, then pour the mixture into the empty containers and cover. Place the containers in the cooler and pour in enough hot water (115 degrees F) to reach just below the lids of the yogurt containers. Close the cooler and let sit, undisturbed, 5 hours. (Or, for tangier yogurt, let the yogurt sit up to 24 more hours, changing out the water a few times to maintain 115 degrees F.)
• Remove the yogurt from the cooler and refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours.
• For thicker, Greek-style yogurt, line a fine-mesh sieve with 4 layers of cheesecloth and set over a large bowl. Pour in the yogurt, cover with more cheesecloth and let drain in the refrigerator until it's as thick as you like, or up to 2 hours.
• Honey-Nut
• Mix in honey and toasted sliced almonds.
• Ambrosia
• Mix in chopped mandarin oranges and toasted coconut flakes.
• Banana Split
• Mix in sliced bananas and chocolate syrup.

Steps:

• Pour the milk and powdered milk into a large pot or saucepan and heat on stove to 185F, stirring constantly. This should take about 10 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and let the milk sit until the temperature reads 110°F
• Add the starter and stir to combine.
• Put the lid on the pot and wrap the pot in a blanket. Put it in a warm place (I use my oven - turned off, of course!).
• Leave it for at least 12 hours. When you check it, it should be solidified, but creamy when stirred.
• Empty the yogurt into a colander lined with cheesecloth. Set the colander in a large bowl and put it back in the blanket for 1-2 hours.
• When you check it, there should be about a cup to a cup and a half of clear liquid (whey) in the bowl and the yogurt will be thickened considerably.
• Transfer the yogurt to the container and refrigerate.

Steps:

• Pour milk into a large sauce pot over medium-high heat.
• Heat the milk, stirring occasionally, until it reaches 180 degrees.
• Remove from heat and cool to between 110-120 degrees, still stirring occasionally.
• Once the temperature reaches that range, add the yogurt and milk powder.
• Whisk until smooth and then pour into a bowl with a lid.
• Wrap in thick kitchen towels and place in a preheated oven. (You can preheat it to any temp, you just want the oven to be warm to keep the yogurt warm).
• Allow it to sit undisturbed in the oven for 8-12 hours (I left it for a little over 13 hours with no problem).
• Remove it from the oven and strain in a mesh strainer or colander lined with a coffee filter or paper towels (you can also use cheese cloth, I just never have any).
• Drain for about an hour or two depending on how dry you like your yogurt.
• Place in a lidded storage container and keep in the fridge for up to a week.