Homemade Yogurt

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!

My Favourite Impossible Pie

The first few years operating a B & B, I always added a little dessert (thought we needed the 5th course), and this was by far the most favoured.

 

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1   cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
  • 1   cup flaked coconut
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • zest from one orange

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine all the ingredients and beat until well mixed.  Pour into a buttered pie plate (10″) and bake for 60 minutes.

When serving, drizzle with warm maple syrup.

The center will still be soft and when cooled the “crust” will be set and the custard filling is bloomin’ awsome.

I love this pie and found it almost addictive.  So did everyone else. This was one pie that was never thrown out.