Easy Arabic Yogurt

Leah's Kitchen's Note:

It is unknown where exactly yogurt originated though it is thought that the Arabs, Turks, or Persians are responsible. You can make your own yogurt at home with only milk and a bit of yogurt. Very easy, no yogurt maker required. I have been making it for a few years and know that anyone can make this. It makes great yogurt especially if you use whole milk; very creamy and thick. You can use nonfat milk but it is a little thin and the consistency isn't that great compared to with more fat. It is best to go with 2% or whole. I also use organic milk, I find the flavor to be more full and sweet.I found it in an Arabic cookbook. Here is a step by step tutorial I have made including photos: http://xeniahome.blogspot.com/2010/03/homemade-yogurt-middle-eastern-way.html

• Total Time: 11 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Cook Time: 10 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 64.0 ounces

• ½ gallon milk
• 6 ounces yogurt (with "live cultures")

Directions:

1. Heat 1/2 gal. of milk in a large pot over medium high heat stirring all the while so that it doesn't burn.
2. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
3. Set aside to cool for about an hour or until warm to the touch but NOT hot. (about 110F ).
4. Then add 6 oz yogurt to the milk and stir well.
5. Pour warm milk mixture into a large ceramic or stoneware bowl (something that will hold in the heat). Cover bowl opening with plastic wrap.
6. Wrap a big blanket around the bowl and place it aside to set overnight or for 10-12 hours.
7. In the morning you will have yogurt. *note it will seem slightly more runny than the store bought yogurt at first but it thickens up after it has been refrigerated. Enjoy!

Reviews

[JanuaryBride]

AWESOME!!! I have tried to make yogurt about 4 times before and it always comes out running and not good. This is the exception. . .it is fabulous!!! I reduced the recipe by half and used 4 cups of whole milk and 1/8 cup of organic greek nonfat yogurt. My girlfriend said that her relatives in Pakistan all add sweetened condensed milk at the time you add the yogurt for creaminess and sweetness; so I added about 1/4 cup (remember I halved the recipe) of fat free sweetened condensed milk. This was SO good. So creamy, just a touch of sweetness and perfect. It didn't have that sharp yogurt flavor associated with plain yogurt either!!! Thanks for a keeper!!!

[UmmBinat]

I'm not going to star this because something went wrong. I think it was because leaving it off the stove 1 hour got it too cool. As I touched it 1 hour later and it was pretty cool I will try Little Mafia's technique next time holding my finger in for the count of 10. It may also have been because I didn't use enough starter. Will try again. Made for Ramadan Tag 2010.

[Cadillacgirl]

This was so neat! I wanted to make it and couldn't figure out a bowl to make it in until Mami J suggested the crockpot insert! And I used littlemafia's finger trick for the temperature... I just used plain yogurt as it's what I had on hand and ate it with granola and blackberries! Made for ZWT #6!