How To Make Yogurt

Yogurt is a great dairy product that can be enjoyed as a snack or quick breakfast. Yogurt can be plain or have a wide variety of flavors -- vanilla, blueberry, peach, strawberry, etc. Although many different flavors can be found at any grocery store, you can also make your own yogurt at home -- no special equipment needed. And when you make your yogurt yourself, you can control the ingredients and make it as healthy, sweet or flavorful as you want.

What You Need:

• 1/2 gallon of milk, preferably whole or 2 percent for a thicker result
• 1/2 cup commercial yogurt containing active cultures, plain
• A saucepan with a heavy lid
• A spatula
• A whisk
• A bowl
• Your preferred flavorings such as fruit, honey, vanilla extract, etc.

Instructions:

1. Heat the milk in the saucepan over medium-high heat and warm until right below boiling. Stir the milk gently as it heats. This step is to change the milk's protein structure so it sets as solid.
2. Let the milk cool until it is just warm enough to touch, stirring occasionally.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk a cup of the warm milk and the yogurt until smooth and the yogurt is dissolved.
4. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk.
5. Place the lid firmly on the pot, wrap it in towels and place it in the turned-off oven.
6. Let the pot sit for about four hours so the yogurt can set. The longer it sits, the thicker it becomes.
7. Remove the pot from the oven, let it cool and whisk it. If there is whey in the mixture, drain it out.
8. Stir in any flavorings and refrigerate for two to three hours before serving.

Homemade yogurt will keep for about two weeks when kept in refrigerated in a sealed container.