Greek Yogurt

[Catrin]

Greek yogurt is such a racket! I buy the cheapest plain fat free yogurt tubs I can find, dump the whole thing into a strainer lined with a coffee filter and then next day I have thick, creamy "greek" yogurt for super cheap. I put it into little containers with my own honey and fruit/nuts. Two days of straining makes yogurt "cheese" which I put on bagels. Truly it is effortless and better than paying over a dollar for a 4 oz cup at the store!

I also just learned you can save the liquid whey after straining and add to smoothies. Or add it to dog's food to help with their gas like I do

/smacking myself on the head... I KNEW you could do this and had plain forgotten about it. I have moved to cheap Dannon fat-free yogurt for the cost but I really prefer strained yogurt, hands down. I will try this quite soon, thanks!

Also, every brand of yogurt uses their own combination of bacteria, but if it's really Greek style (as opposed to just meaning it's strained), it should have a combination of bacteria that's typical of Greece. Different cultures have very different flavors and somewhat different consistencies. Whatever yogurt you like, you can use that as your starter and keep the culture line going.

I really do prefer real Greek yogurt but the cost does get high since I eat so much of it. A lot of my protein comes from dairy products. This is good to remember as well, thanks!

[Crankin]

I am lazy and gladly buy the Chobani plain. I have tried several brands of Greek yogurt and this one is the best, in my opinion. It even got my DH to eat non-fat yogurt, after years of spending $ on non-fat for me and low fat for him.
I eat it for breakfast at least twice a week, with fresh fruit mixed in, as well as walnuts. I also use it as a substitute for mayo in some recipes, or mix it with low fat mayo.

[Serotta Jim]

I make my own - it is so easy and so much much cheaper! A 1/2 gallon of non-fat milk yields enough for me & DW for a week.

Also I make my own Kefir.

[kelownagirl]

I make my own - it is so easy and so much much cheaper! A 1/2 gallon of non-fat milk yields enough for me & DW for a week.

Also I make my own Kefir.

How?

[Serotta Jim]

Here is the recipe. After I make it I strain it. I find Trader Joe's is the best starter!

http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008...-crockpot.html

[KnottedYet]

My dog looooooooves whey from yogurt. It gets poured over his kibble, and he thinks it's ambrosia.

I use generic plain yogurt as a starter, and wrap the pan of warmed milk with a towel overnight.

Let home made yogurt drain, press and salt it, and you have a soft cheese which is very nice as a spread. You can use a tea towel (and I have), but cheese cloth works much better.