KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Feb 2, 2014 14:36:08 GMT -5
I posted these over on EE last night and this morning, but thought those on SS might like to see what I've been up to as well: Last night: I am attempting to make homemade yogurt in the crock pot (for the first time). I used this link: www.granny-miller.com/how-to-make-foolproof-crock-pot-yogurt/With 4 kids that love yogurt (not to mention DH and I), we spend a small fortune. I figured there had to be a way to make it cheaper - so I'm trying this method. I'll let you know how it turns out!
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Feb 2, 2014 14:36:44 GMT -5
10:00am this morning:
Okay - so far so good!!
Ingredients: 1 half gallon of whole milk; 1 4 oz container of plain yogurt (Oikos - that I only used half of; I ate the other half): Total cost for me: less than $4 (I forgot to keep the receipt - sorry!)
I started kind of late last night because I didn't get home until about 4pm. I started out with my crock pot on the low setting, but realized it might be really late before it hit the 170-180 degree mark, so I bumped it up to high after about 2 hours. By 7:30-8pm, it had hit 180, but the milk scorched just a bit on one side (not much and not anything I was worried about).
I let the milk cool down on it's own to 110 degrees, but I did crack the lid to help it along (it was ready by around 9pm). I mixed in my starter like suggested on the website, found a large blanket (instead of a towel), had hubby and one of the kids (because she insisted on helping) help me move it into the oven and left it there overnight with the oven light on.
I'm currently straining the whey off as the consistency this morning is watery and thinner than what I like.
Opening up the crock pot lid this morning - it smells like plain yogurt. I tasted a small bite - tasted just like the plain, store-bought greek yogurt (Oikos) I used last night - just a thinner texture.
There is a half-gallon worth of plain yogurt - cost ?
I plan on making several flavors - I have some almost too ripe bananas; some homemade strawberry jam; frozen blueberries; canned pineapple; homemade applesauce; honey and canned peaches - all waiting on the yogurt to be ready.
YUM!!!
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Feb 2, 2014 14:37:25 GMT -5
11:30am this morning:
I just finished mixing the flavors - it didn't give me as many containers as I originally thought based on my estimate, but I also have to remember that my containers are bigger than the ones I buy from the store.
By request of the kids, I made strawberry, strawberry-banana and honey.
I ran out of containers! So....some is in my tupperware and some is in mason jars. The plastic containers are 1 1/2 cup, but I only filled them to about a cup worth.
I have approximately 7 cups worth of yogurt after straining the whey off and adding flavors.
It's in the refrigerator now - it's back to being a little thinner than I'd prefer (texture wise), but tastes wonderful! I'm hoping chilling it will firm it up some.
Best part - it's 100% natural. I know exactly where each item came from that is in it (well...unless you want to be a purist and say I don't know where the milk and original yogurt came from....). BUT...I can say there is no pectin, no artificial sweeteners and no corn syrup.
Total effort involved.....maybe 30-45 minutes worth? Mixing the flavors and putting it in containers took the longest - by far.
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KaraBoo
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Post by KaraBoo on Feb 2, 2014 14:38:03 GMT -5
Cost breakdown:
Yoplait (which is what DH prefers) which is 6 ozs per container - cheapest I find, without coupons, is $0.50 each or 10 for $5.00
So... 60 ozs for $5.00 or $0.12 an ounce..... (someone please make sure my math is correct!!!)
vs....
Homemade - approximately 7 cups or 56 ounces
Milk - either $1.99 or $2.99 for the half gallon (I can't remember - but I'm almost positive $1.99 so I'm going with that number). Yogurt starter - I can't remember, so I'm going to guestimate $1.00 - which I only used half, so $0.50 (if you save some of the yogurt you make back for the starter, this cost goes away). Homemade strawberry jam - unknown....I bought a flat of strawberries for $6.00 (which made 8 jars), plus sugar at the beginning of summer - I used maybe 3-4 tablespoons.....so....$0.20? One Banana - uuuhhh.....$0.20? Honey - about 2 tablespoons - I don't remember what I paid!!! .....maybe $0.50?
Ack! This is HARD!!! I hate math!
So.... 56 ozs for $3.39 or $0.06 an ounce
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Yoplait - $0.12 an ounce Homemade - $0.06 an ounce
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motherto2
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Post by motherto2 on Feb 2, 2014 15:27:02 GMT -5
Thanks KaraBoo. I've often thought about making some myself. I just might give it a try since DD is home. She likes yogurt, so this might save us some money.
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Virgil Showlion
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[b]leones potest resistere[/b]
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Feb 2, 2014 15:42:38 GMT -5
You know what they say: "When it comes to life, yogurt out what you put into it."
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Feb 3, 2014 12:21:18 GMT -5
Karaboo - I made crockpot yogurt too! It came out very well. The problem I have is that I'm single. So, it's only me to eat the yogurt and it made a really lot of yogurt!! I think in the future I'll try make it in a smaller quantity on the stove top -- I've got instructions and now that I've had some success and didn't kill myself with the crockpot stuff, I'm willing to give another method a try. FWIW: I successfully froze a bit of my 'starter' yogurt (some plain Fage yogurt) so I didn't have to keep buying a cup o' regular yogurt when I wanted to make more yogurt. I made crockpot yogurt 3 times over the course of a handful of months. I used 1% milk, and then 2% and a batch with skim milk. I'd highly recommend using milk with more fat in it (2% or whole) for a thicker yogurt. The skim milk wasn't bad - I strained the yogurt thru a giant coffee filter (that I stole from work ) and metal colander for a very long time so it had a what I thought was an ok consistancy. I really like the consistancy of Greek Yogurt.
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saveinla
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Post by saveinla on Feb 3, 2014 12:37:14 GMT -5
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Feb 3, 2014 12:44:58 GMT -5
Timely thread. DH isn't happy that his brand of yogurt (Almond Dream) changed their consistancy. He likes it thick. I was thinking about checking out how to make yogurt.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 3, 2014 13:44:38 GMT -5
If you want a thicker consistency you can strain it through a paper coffee filter or something similar
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Feb 3, 2014 13:46:31 GMT -5
Ok, Tiny Speck already said that. I need to work on my reading comprehension
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