Best Greek Yogurt From Thick Indian Curd Yogurt Recipes

HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• Start by cleaning and sterilizing all your equipment and tools as well as your work surface. Most utensils and storage containers can be sanitized in the dishwasher (some machines have a sanitize setting). Alternatively, sterilize everything in boiling water.
• Prepare an ice bath, filling a large bowl or sink with ice.
• Attach a candy thermometer to a heavy, large pot and add the milk. Place the pot over moderate heat and heat the milk until it reaches at least 180°F or boils, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming and making sure the milk doesn't scald or boil over. Alternatively, place the milk in a large microwave-safe bowl or a large glass measuring cup with a spout (for easy pouring) and microwave it in 2- to 3-minute intervals, until it reaches 180° or boils.
• Remove the milk from the heat and allow it to cool to 110°F to 115°F. To speed the cooling process, place the pot in the prepared ice bath and stir the milk occasionally. (If the milk temperature drops too low, return it to the heat.)
• If using yogurt as a starter culture: In a small bowl, combine about 1 cup warm milk with the yogurt and stir to combine. Add the yogurt-milk mixture to the remaining warm milk and stir until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.
• If using a powdered yogurt culture: Follow the manufacturer's instructions and add the specified amount of powdered culture to the warm milk; whisk until completely incorporated. Do not stir vigorously.
• Pour or ladle the mixture into the yogurt maker containers or another incubator (if using a thermos, first warm the inside with hot tap water) and incubate between 110°F and 115°F for 5 to 10 hours, depending on the desired flavor and consistency-longer incubation periods produces thicker, more tart yogurt. Do not disturb the yogurt during incubation.
• Cover the yogurt and refrigerate until cold, 2 to 3 hours. (If you used a thermos to incubate, transfer the finished yogurt to a non-insulated container for chilling so the temperature will drop.) Stir any flavorings into the yogurt just before serving. (For thicker, Greek-style yogurt, after incubation, spoon the yogurt into a cheesecloth-lined colander set over a bowl and let it drain, covered in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour or overnight. Discard the whey that drains out of the yogurt or reserve it for another use.)
• Yogurt can be stored in the refrigerator, in covered glass, ceramic, or plastic containers, for up to 2 weeks, but the flavor will be the best during the first week. As yogurt ages, it becomes more tart. If more whey separates out of the yogurt, just stir it back in before serving.

HOW TO MAKE THICK RICH GREEK YOGURT

Steps:

• In a sauce pan heat milk to 110 degrees. Have oven preheating to 110 degrees at the same time.
• When milk is heated add yogurt and whisk well.
• Cover mixture and place into a second container, cover that as well, or wrap with a towel . Turn oven OFF and place covered mixture in and allow to sit for 8 to 10 hours.
• After 8 to 10 hours remove from oven.
• Place strainer over a saucepan and pour in yogurt -- as it is in the strainer and over a saucepan place in fridge and allow to strain for several hours. When done transfer to bowl ,stir and serve.
• Suggestion: A great way to serve this is with a dollop of honey and some finely chopped walnuts.

THICK INDIAN CURD (YOGURT)

Steps:

• - Refrigerate curd/yogurt from the previous batch, which will be used as starter culture, till needed. - Slowly bring milk to a rolling boil in a heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. - When milk comes to rolling boil, lower the heat to prevent overflow. - Slowly increase the heat to medium. Keep stirring. - The milk will stop to overflow. At this point, remove from the heat. - After removing from the heat, you can see that milk has reduced in quantity. - Keep it aside and let it cool. - To test, insert your finger to check whether milk is little more warm to the touch. - Take the starter curd/yogurt in a spoon. Drop it into the warm milk. And stir well. - Cover the pot. Keep it in a warm place for 6-8 hours to ferment. I use my unused microwave as a warm place to ferment. - After 6-8 hours, you have Thick Indian Curd/Yogurt. Refrigerate for 5-6 days. You can use this curd to make - Raita - Lassi - Buttermilk - Use it as a dip with chapati, rava uppittu (upma) - Eaten with rice as Curd Rice with a spicy pickle on the side. Detailed photo recipe is at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/452471093783437798/