I've posted my go-to easy peasy homemade yogurt a couple times over the years (https://www.housewifebarbie.com/2019/09/easy-homemade-yogurt-on-keto-low-carb.html) and now that we are doing 100% eating from food storage, it was going to be a little bit tricky for me to start this because I haven't gone to the grocery store since November, 2023 (and it's now January 9th). I don't have any pre-made yogurt or fresh yogurt on hand to use as a quick starter culture.
I decided I wanted fresh yogurt on hand for snacking and lunches for The Littles - especially since I just opened a new #10 can of freeze dried peach slices and this is my all-time favorite way of using freeze dried peaches. LOVE IT. So it's time to make yogurt... without a starter and completely from food storage. :)
Freeze dried peaches and strawberries |
My original recipe using water and dry instant milk powder also uses a tablespoon of store bought or homemade yogurt to 'start' it. That's what I had to try to recreate with something I had on hand already.
In the end, I went with citric acid because I knew you could make a culture starter with sliced lemon but obviously I didn't have any of those on hand fresh right now either. I added 1/4 teaspoon citric acid crystals to about 2 T baby-bottle warm milk/cream. When it was thick, I proceeded with the normal, regular recipe I always use. (Below).
My container of choice is a 1 quart container with a lid and a blender ball inside. All I have to do is shake it to mix! It doesn't get easier than this. And you can see my super fancy dancy heating pad. Ha ha. Yeah, just a plain old cheap heating pad - set on low for my heat source.
After 12 hours it's thick and creamy and 'done'. Now you can add sweeteners, fruit, etc. Store in the refrigerator.