Making yogurt, cheese...

[Paula]

I have a friend with a cow! ;D I'd like to start buying milk from her but we are not big milk drinkers around here - and my children have never had fresh cow's milk - so I'm thinking I'd like to have some recipes for some other things to use it for.

I know how to make butter, but not yogurt, cheese or other things you can use milk to make.

Does anyone have some simple recipes for me? I'm not looking for complicated, long, drawn-out work at this point. I've got too many other things on my to-do list these days and I'm not up to a complicated task. Also, I don't have any special kitchen equipment - just the regular old pots, pans and spoons.

I'm thinking a new ice cream maker should be on the wish list, though.

Another thing I just though of. How long does fresh milk last? Just a few days?

Thank you!!

Paula

[Mom2boys]

Yogurt is easy to make with a quart mason jar and heating pad. Do you have one with a low setting?

[Paula]

YES!! I have a heating pad with a low setting!

I also have a mason jar! ;D

Okay, girl, get me going with the instructions.

[Mom2boys]

Okay! Heat your milk until almost boiling. It will steam and be bubbly around the edges. Then you need to let it cool to about 115 degrees.At this point , stir in 1 tablespoon of yogurt. If you can find Stoneyfield in your area, try to use that brand. Use plain. You can always sweeten it or add fruit later.Stir it in really well and then pour the mixture into your jar. Wrap the heating pad around it and let it sit for at least 10 hours. I do 12 because the longer you incubate, the thicker the yogurt. Is this clear as mud?

[Paula]

Much clearer than mud! Good instructions.

Just one question to be sure - you mean to use 1 quart of milk, right? To fill the quart jar? Also, can Stoneyfield be found in a local grocery store or do I need to look in a healthfood store?

Thanks, Tina!

[Mom2boys]

Yes , use as much milk as you need to fill the jar to the level you want it . I find Stoneyfield at the regular grocery. You can get yogurt culture at the health food store, but any plain yogurt should do. I just figured that since you were using good milk, you would want to start it with a good organic starter.

The granola recipe on my website is wonderful mixed with yogurt and fresh fruit.

[Paula]

Thank you so much, Tina! I'll let you know if I make that yogurt. The granola does sound wonderful...

[Dandelion]

How long does fresh milk last? Just a few days?

I understand milk should last for at least three days, though it might start tasting a bit more sour in that time, and certainly after that it will, but it is not 'off'. If it tastes or smells horrible, or certainly looks thicker or is clotting/flakes in it, I would say it has finished all the souring it can and goes to the compost heap. (Such signs if less than 3 days old can suggest matitis in the cow. Hopefully you shouldn't have that problem, but I know from our goats that it can be hard to detect just by the animal, and the milk is a good check. It won't necesarily hurt you, if you find that you have drunk some, though I would take care and maybe take some vit. C)
Happy eating and concocting!

[Paula]

Thanks, Dandelion, for helping me know how long the milk will stay fresh.

Tina, I couldn't find Stoneyfield at my grocery store (well, WalMart), so I bought Dannon Natural yogurt. The only ingredient listed was "cultured grade A milk". I'm sure that doesn't mean it's raw milk, but compared to the host of ingredients I read on all the other yogurt labels, it seemed to be a better choice.

Another question - do you eat the yogurt without ANY sugar or sweetener? How about if I put some vanilla in it or something? I'll eat it with fresh fruit and I'm going to make the granola, too, but any other ideas for eating it, especially if there's no sweetener in it? btw, it's only SUGAR here at this house. No stevia, etc. Can I use it in most cases instead of sour cream? Any instances you can think of where you wouldn't want to substitute it for sour cream?

Have I asked enough questions? How are you? How are your children? How is school going? ;D Okay, don't answer those. I know you're swamped. Actually ANYONE can feel free to answer me.

Thank you!!

[Mom2boys]

Dannon should work fine.You can sweeten it and add vanilla but do it when you are ready to eat it because the sugar will eat the good bacteria if it sits too long. I just use the granola because the honey in it sweetens the yogurt.

yogurt cheese is very easy and tastes just like sour cream. You will be amazed. use a coffee filter or very fine strainer. Place the yogurt in the strainer or suspended coffee filter. Place a bowl underneath. Cover and refrigerate for several hours (even overnight) and they whey will drain off leaving a thick yogurt cheese in the strainer.

[Paula]

Thank you again, Tina.

I found a very simple, very easy recipe on the internet for basically a cottage cheesey kind of concoction.

Just add 1/4 vinegar to a gallon of milk and I forget the rest (but I have it printed off in the other room). Has anyone ever done this before?

[Paula]

I don't believe this. I thought of another question about the homemade yogurt, cottage cheesey stuff and yogurt cheese.

If I use fresh cow's milk, do I take the cream off the top or just mix it all together??

(I was NOT born a farmgirl, but I'd sure love to be one.)

[Mom2boys]

I don't even shake it up or mix it in. I just pour it in the pan and the cream kind of glops out. It'll get stirred in when you add the yogurt starter. I only do as many steps as I have too.

[dulcie]

wow my yogurt recipe uses dry milk and a few other things..weird. i love homemade yogurt..i grew up on it, my mother had a yogurt machine though..i use the heating pad with a big pot over it. my pickle jar works great for it lol. i like mine sweetened, but leave it plain til i eat it, then i add sugar free preserves or something.

[Paula]

What all do you use yogurt cheese for - besides a sour cream replacement?