If you use a lot of yogurt, this is one way to save money and you also know what went in it. Easy peasy…The one special equipment needed here is the Cuisinart Thermo Electric Yogurt maker.
*read note below first.
- 4 cups whole milk
- 6 oz. plain whole milk yogurt without added gelatin
- 1 tb sp. vanilla extract
In a large saucepan with the thermometer attached, heat the milk to 180F degrees, carefully monitoring the temperature. Keep the temperature even for 10 minutes. This process will take about 45 minutes.
Stir the yogurt and vanilla into the milk. Transfer to the yogurt maker. Set the fermentation time for 8 hours.
If not serving immediately, cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days only. This will make 4 servings.
Add any fresh fruit of your choosing…peaches or berries. and top with a drizzle of honey and a tbsp. of chopped pistachios…yummy.
**if you want a much thicker yogurt, keep the 180F temperature for a full 30 minutes. Then strain through a cheesecloth inserted into a sieve. Then cool down to 110 degrees. Cover and refrigeratre for 24 hours, then go ahead with the recipe as shown.
My Own Vanilla Sauce
We are having company for dinner tomorrow night and I baked a whipped cream cake (on this site) and I added 1/4 cup of baking chocolate powder (not cocoa). I thought it needed a different perk and I thought of a vanilla sauce.
After a lengthy search, I thought I would try something on my own and you should try it. It is truly bowl licking good.
- 2 tbsp. good cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups milk, divided
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 tsp. vanilla
In a small bowl, sprinkle the cornstarch on 1/2 cup milk and whisk to dissolve. Add the sugar and egg yolks and whisk really well. Add the vanilla and mix in.
Pour the milk and cream in a heavy sauce pan and bring to a simmer and whisk in the egg mixture gradually.
Continue mixing with a wooden spoon until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat, strain through a metal sieve in a bowl. Cover with plastic, making sure to touch the surface. Let cool down completely and put in refrigerator. (If making 1 day ahead). When ready to serve, reheat the bowl over a pan of simmering water.
Scoop the cake out into pretty serving bowls and put a generous scoop of this liquid gold over the cake.
I took a sample down to Don and we both were trying to lick the bowl. What can I say? Yup, it’s yummy!
Mocha Flavoured Granita
If your summer is as hot as ours is right now, this would be a perfect ‘cooling down’ treat. Make the day before and enjoy.
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp. espresso powder
- 2 tbsp. cocoa powder (not instant hot chocolate)
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup coffee cream
- Whipping cream and chocolate shavings for garnish- enough for 6 servings.
In a saucepan, over medium heat, pour the milk and sugar and stir until the milk is steaming hot and the sugar has melted. Remove from the heat.
Add the espresso and cocoa and whisk until completely dissolved. Add the cream and cinnamon and mix well.
Pour this into a 8 inch square dish and place in the freezer. Stir every 20 minutes, all around (including corners) and use a timer. You don’t want crystals forming.
When firm but not too hard, transfer this to a plastic container with a lid and store in the freezer overnight.
Whip the whipping cream until stiff, add 1/2 tsp. chocolate flavouring and place in the refrigerator overnight.
When ready to serve, scoop into chilled dishes and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
YUMMMMMMMY.
Ricotta Cheese, Homemade
Who knew this would be so simple. No, it is not an April Fool’s joke, it is definitely for real.
Make it the night before using and keep it chilled.
- 8 cups whole milk
- 2 cup buttermilk, 2% fat content
- thermometer
- cheesecloth
Put 4 layers of cheesecloth in a colander, leaving the sides overhang.
Combine the milk and buttermilk in a large saucepan and attach a deep dry thermometer on the side and cook on high heat. Constantly stir this or you will get clumps. When the temperature is about 175 degrees, the curds will separate from the liquid (whey) and float to the top. Turn off the heat.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the curds to the cheesecloth and gather the ends up. Gently squeeze out the liquid, making sure not to press too hard or it will be far too dry.
Return the wrapped ball to the colander and let it rest about 25-30 minutes.
Transfer this to a bowl, sprinkle lightly with a pinch of salt and mix to combine. Cover with plastic and keep in the refrigerator overnight. Absolutely yummy.
Puerto Rican Flan
This makes a nice light dessert (is there really such a thing?)
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 4 large egg yolks, also at room temperature
- pinch of salt
- 2 tsp. white rum
- 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cups canned coconut milk, scalded
Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a nonstick frypan toast the shredded coconut until golden in colour. This takes about 4 minutes. Set aside.
Reduce the temperataure to 300 degrees.
Prepare 4 custard cups with buttering the sides. In a small saucepan, bring 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water to a boil. Cook over medium heat WITHOUT stirring until colour is dark brown. This will take about 10 minutes. Immediately pour 1 tbsp. of the caramel into each dish, coating the bottom. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, salt, rum and vanilla. Slowly whisk in the scalded milk. Strain the mixture into each of the dishes. Put the dishes in a deep sided pan and fill with boiling water about halfway up the sides of the dishes.
Bake about 50 minutes in the oven. Remove from the water bath and cool thoroughly. To unmold, run a knife around the edges and turn out on plates. Garnish with whipping cream and sprinkle with the toasted coconut and serve to 4 adoring guests.
Yum!
Corn on the Cob Soup
Gotcha! This soup is absolutely perfect this time of year. Tis the season for corn. Try this and you will absolutely love it.
- 4 tbsp. butter
- 1/2 cup onion
- 4 cups corn, just cut from the cob
- pinch of kosher salt
- 1-2 tbsp. sugar
- 2-3 cups milk
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg, plus additional for garnish
In a saucepn, melt the butter and gently saute the onion for about 5 minutes until tender. Do not brown.
Add 3 1/2 cups of the corn and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Stir well and cook for about 5-6 minutes. Now stir in the sugar.
In a medium saucepan combine the milk and the cream and warm over medium heat until heated through. Pour the corn mixture over the milk and over medium heat, cook to just a simmer. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Pour about 1/3 of the soup in a blender and puree until smooth. Pour a fine strainer over a bowl and allow the soup to drain through. Repeat until all done. Transfer all the soup back into the saucepan and reheat, this time whisking in the nutmeg.
The corn is its own thickner but if you want it thinner, add a touch more milk. I love a nice thick soup so I find it quite lovely as it is.
Pour into warm soup bowls, and again lightly grate some nutmeg over top and place a tsp or two of the remaining corn on top. OMG this is yummy.
Serve with warm slices of honey corn bread and a chilled glass of white wine. If this is heaven, send me there!
Lucille’s Meatballs
This recipe is my sister-in-law’s. Try it , it is sooooo good!
- 1 egg slightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 3/4 cup cracker crumbs.
Mix together and let sit until milk is absorbed.
Add: 1 1/2 lbs hamburger, salt and pepper to tastes and fresh chopped parsley. Mix into 1†balls and brown in a large fry pan. When cooked, place in a casserole.
Now, you need:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tin of mushrooms (not bits and pieces)reserve liquid
- Saute this in same fry pan until the onions are transparent, then add:
- 1 tin of water
- 1 tin of consomme OR 2 tins beef broth
- reserved mushroom liquid
Cook this until it thickens. Pour over meatballs and bake for 1 hour in a 350 degree oven.
This dish is heavenly when served with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus.
Taste rating: 9