.Greek Yogurt in a Crock pot.

I am so excited to share this with you!! I am a yogurt lover. So are my children. We cannot get enough, and I cannot buy enough. We go through it like water. I am a devoted fan of Stoneyfield Farm organic yogurt. But buying as much as we do becomes pricey when on a tight budget. So what's a yogurt craving Mommy to do?? Make it, of course!

But I am a busy, homeschooling Mommy, in the middle of living a crazy camp ministry filled life - so it had to be quick and easy. I looked at several recipes. Some of them calling for a myriad of ingredients from milk (of course!) to powdered milk, to evaporated milk, to gelatin {BLECK} , to who knows what else. Some of the recipes require hours of stirring, temping, and canning. Some of them called for a yogurt maker. But at last I stumbled on the EASIEST recipe ever. The best news is it calls for two ingredients (yup two!) and is made in a crock pot. It is virtually effortless!

Not only do I love yogurt, but I absolutely ADORE Greek yogurt - you know that thick, silky melt-in-your mouth goodness? I have been known to purchase on occasion the ridiculously small containers of it, and hide it waaaay back in my fridge, so that Cadi cannot see it. Then I sneak it! {blush} When I found out that I could add a few simple steps to this recipe and come out with Greek yogurt, I was head-over-heels in love!

So, here it is! If you are a fellow yogurt lover, you must give this a try!!

Step #1: Measure 8 Cups of whole milk. (We are so blessed to be given raw jersey milk from our best friends. I did not take the cream off the top - just left it alone.)



Step #2: Pour milk into a crock pot and turn it on to the lowest setting. Leave it alone for 2.5 hours.



Step 3: After 2.5 hours turn the crock pot off.


Step #4: After 3 more hours remove two cups of the warm milk from the crock pot.



Step 5: Add 1/4 Cup full fat plain yogurt
-Please note - this is the only time you will have to use store bought yogurt as a starter. After this remember to save out 1/2 a cup of your homemade yogurt each batch.


(I had to use Dannon Natural, because this was a last minute thing, and the closest grocery store only had full fat plain yogurt in Dannon.)

Step 6: Stir the plain yogurt and warm milk together.



Step #7: Pour this mixture back into the crock pot. (Please do not be alarmed by the yellow - remember I left the cream on top of my raw milk.)




Step #8: Put the lid back on.



Step #9: Wrap the crock pot in old towels. Leave it alone over night.



Step #10: In the morning wake up to YOGURT!! (If you do not care about continuing to make Greek yogurt you can stop here and pour your yogurt into a container and refrigerate. But for the rest of us - let's move on!)



Step #11: Don't forgot to remove 1/2 a cup of yogurt to use as your starter for next time. You can freeze it!




Step #12: You will need a mixing bowl big enough to fit a colander in it. Line cheese cloth in your colander - I used two sheets.



Step #13: Pour yogurt into colander lined with cheesecloth.



Step #14: Cover with saran wrap and refrigerate over night.


Step #15: Wake up to yummy GREEK Yogurt - all natural, all yummy! Now don't you feel domesticated?!
If you try this, let me know!



I love mine drizzled with honey. Sometimes I throw on some nuts, too.
This was my first time doing a scheduled post. I hope it works okay. Right now, I should be tailgating at the Giant's game! GO GIANTS!