The goodness of bacteria



I have wanted to make yoghurt for a very long time. Over the years I have periodically bid on yoghurt makers on Ebay, never winning any of them. Every six months or so the urge tickles once more and I waste a little time browsing
various methods and machines.



Sometimes I was put off by the size of the machine.



Sometimes I was alarmed by the idea of mixing in a mysterious sachet of powder.

And often I was terrified by talk of temperature control and bacteria.




But yesterday, in an effort to distract a bored child, I took out my copy ofRiver Cottage Every Day

The method was explained in such a simple, matter of fact way and after all, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall is the same man who gave me the confidence to mess around with boiling sugar and egg whites resulting in the very best marshmallows anyone ever tasted.



So we took courage and made yoghurt. It took minutes (well, apart from the waiting around bit). It really wasn't scary at all.

The results? Only the very best yoghurt anyone ever tasted. Seriously, this yoghurt is amazing, so fresh and creamy, truly better than any yoghurt we have ever tasted and that is before we even added anything. The children and I are smugly thrilled with our home made yoghurt.




The Technical Advisor is unconvinced and will not indulge, he is scared that I will poison him with my freely growing live bacteria. Sigh, but you cannot please all of them all of the time, such is life.


Comments

Laura said…
This is so good to know! I've been put off with the idea of buying a machine as well. I'll have to get my hands on that book!
rachel said…
You weren't a hippy, I'll warrant! We all made our own yoghurt in those days..... A clean bowl in the airing or boiler cupboard; never failed. So much nicer than bought, and very good for you and the Technical Advisor too. Remember to keep some back for your next batch, and try it with different milks; I have a friend who uses evaporated milk, which gives surprising results.
Elizabeth said…
Is this the recipe here? Ihttp://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/radiator-yoghurt/
I have collected many from the internet but have yet to take the plunge. The oven method, the cooler method, the crockpot method...
My TA is not afraid of it, but he has a sweet tooth and I fear our stock of jam would be gone in days from him mixing it in.
Arianwen said…
I may have to try that. I made marshmellows a couple of months back. They were lovely though could of been a little more solid. I need to practise with the gelatin. Your market stall looks fantastic - well done!
Anonymous said…
The whole yoghurt making thing has passed me by - along with wine making and all those other hippy things!
Anonymous said…
I've not seen the river cottage recipe, but I love our yogurt maker! It took all the scariness out of it, and though I got ours as a gift I was planning to buy it (similar to this but a US brand - it was $30). And the children love it. I use an organic store bought yogurt as the starter, and then one of the last jars to start again. I've found that the different brands change the flavor a bit as well.

You know I love the jar you used to make yours in, right?
Anonymous said…
I got my machine on freecycle, but before that I just used a thermos flask. Home made is much better. We eat lots of bacteria here :)
Paula said…
Last year for my birthday I asked for a yoghurt maker and we love it, especially during Spring and Summer. We then add raisins, roasted almonds, honey whatever we want, it's so delicious and much better than shop bought ones.
Charity said…
Mmmm, I love homemade yogurt! If the kids are missing the flavoured stuff, sometimes I mix in jam or flavoured syrup, to make it tasier.
lucy said…
Hmm, I should muster some courage to try and make some homemade yoghurt. And, I'll check out your recipe and see how mind boggling it is.

Do you guys get whole milk yoghurt at your grocery store? Here, most yoghurts are low fat, no fat or whatever. It drives me bonkers when I have to "order" whole yoghurt!
kristina said…
Oh I've been meaning to make yogurt for ages. I even have the little German machine with the pots from John Lewis. Must give it a go over the holidays!

K x
silverpebble said…
I think you may well have just given me some courage. Thankyou. I will keep you posted.

Oh and that kilner jar is more beautiful than any machine.
Shelley in SC said…
This looks positively creamy and delicious! I've been making homemade kefir for years and love it blended up with frozen fruit. Good for the immune system too : )!
Carole said…
I have this book but have been put off by the fact that it has to reach 40 degrees - my jam thermometer doesn't register lower temperatures?
Would it be very cheeky to ask what you used?!
Bethany said…
Mmmm... I'm sitting here eating yoghurt and then I read your post! I go through spurts of making it and then I don't. I like whole milk yoghurts too. Just tell the Technical Advisor that there's actually good bacteria in there that will keep the bad from upsetting his intestines. We should eat it every day!
Hi,
I am still laughing!
So The Technical Advisor thinks you are going to posion him! What can I say and what can you do? It just means that there is more for the rest of you!
Ingrid x
okay. i bought a yogurt maker a few years ago. i will have to unbury it and give it another try!
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Maggie Christie said…
I've been making yoghurt for years and with no special equipment - just a really big Thermos flask. My kids have now followed suit and made the River Cottage Every Day recipe this week too. The Technical Advisor doesn't know what he's missing!
Jane said…
Very brave indeed...so glad it was tasty. I think my guys would like it!
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