easiyo yogurt maker any good? or make your own? (merged)

Whitefiver

Ted_Hutchinson wrote:

Lidl's probiotic yohurt starter one of 4 @59p= 15p
1 litre skimmed uht milk 32p
2 tablespoons skimmed milk £1.79 /25= 6p

So my litre of yoghurt costs 53p plus the cost 5minutes in the microwave to raise the to yogging temperature and 4 hrs keeping warm in the yoghurt maker. Remember this is the cost of the initial batch only so the continuing cost is only that of the UHT milk plus skimmed milk 38p per litre.

I haven't tasted any yoghurt made from Easyyo but I very much doubt it can be better than mine. I did buy one Rachels dairy yoghurt after xmas but had to replace it after I came back from holiday. I can see no reason why this lidl's probiotic won't go on and on needing replacement only when I go away or do something silly.

While I'm sure you're right that your
yoghurt is good, I'm sure mine is just as good, possibly healthier and very much cheaper.

I wouldn't disagree - my second batch was started with the remains of the first, and consisted of 1 litre of UHT (full fat) and half a cup of skimmed milk powder - total price not too different from yours. I was only planning to buy the mixes occasionally to "refresh" my starter.

Either way - I'm happy with the result - remember my original request was for a foolproof way of making yogurt, and even using the mixes, it is half the price of Costco Greek Yogurt!

Regards,

White.

:beer:

larmy16

Ted

I dont have a Lidls near me. Do you think any of those probitotics will do the trick?

You just use the yog at the top right?

Ta.

Ted_Hutchinson

If you've a lidl's near you their probiotic yogs with fruit at the bottom have an assortment of flavours one of which has natural yoghurt on the top of the fruit. This is what I used one of and it's now been going a month.

If you make yoghurt regularly like I do and use it straight away, (as I have to I'm on a permanent anti-biotic) then it's nice a sweet as it is. Try to take it off the heat as soon as it's set (perhaps a bit before as it tends to carry on yogging as it cools down) and this also keep the sweetness.

I haven't tried using Greek Yoghurt as a starter but if no one else comments I'll give it a go and report back.

Edit Yes I just used the natural yoghurt from the top as you only need two tablespoons for one litre. If they don't have any with natural at the top use the vanilla probiotics with fruit at the bottom. By the time it's been diluted with a litre of milk you can hardly taste the hint of vanilla.
I'm using skimmed milk but my partner uses full cream and she thinks this lidl's probiotic as a starter is the best ever.
Mor Edit: If you haven't a Lidl's try and find some Muller Healthy Balance corners. They will be as good as the Lidl's I expect just more expensive. But you'd only need one so at 39p it's still cheaper than Easyyo and someone will finish off the fruity bit I expect.

Whitefiver

tootles wrote:

does greek yoghurt act as a starter on its own????
I usually use a little honey to sweeten it with better for you than sugar.

I think *most* of the yogurt in the UK is live (if not marked as UHT, Long life, or the like). Obviously, I am willing to stand corrected on that!

Give it a go, or like other posters have said, try Yogurt from a different supermarket.

I don't add any sweetener to mine, but I do mix it with fruit, or even low carbohydrate Blackcurrant jam - lovely.

I do agree - Greek yogurt with honey is exceedingly nice - just not too good for my waistline.

Regards,

White.

larmy16

I use greek yoghurt all the time and made with full fat milk plus 2tbs dried milk makes a lovely creamy yoghurt. Funnily enough the other day I had my first failure, for some reason the yoghurt I bought had curdled and didnt make for a very appetising yoghurt.

It tasted ok though, so I used it in smoothies instead.

cordelia3412

All you need is a flask, UHT milk and a decent starter yoghurt (I use greek). Then lots of yummy yoghurt all the time. I make 500ml at a time and use that to start the next batch off. Much cheaper than easiyo.

mjk_2

PLease can someone tell me how you make yoghurt without a yoghurt maker. I fancy having a go, but would rather not have to buy any special equipment.

Thanks

apprentice_tycoon

Right - you need to either boil ordinary milk (this kills the bugs that will harm the yogurt bacteria) or use UHT milk. You can use either full fat milk or semi or skimmed, it depends on your preference.
The milk needs to be at around 100 degrees, you can buy a yog thermometer but you can get by with sticking your finger in the milk, it should be on the hot side of warm, hard to describe but slightly uncomfortable I'd say.
You need to keep the milk at this temperature for around 6 hours, the easiest way without a machine is in a vacuum flask, the sort with a wide mouth or you can improvise with a bowl wrapped in blankets in an airing cupboard etc.

All you needed is take 2 teapoons of natural yogurt, mix it with the amount of milk that your flask or bowl will hold (I pint is a managable amount) and put it in the flask (or whatever ) for around 6 hours.
When it comes out you can either chill it and serve as it is or strain it to get a yog that is similar to greek yogurt, you need a seive and a piece of muslin to line it.
You can also add a tablespoon of dried milk powder at the start to thicken it if you like.

squeaky

I reckon A-T will be back later to finish this one...

Ted_Hutchinson

I would like to add to A.T's excellent method that if you haven't got a suitable insulated flask you can use an ordinary bowl, cover it with a plastic bag/cling film secured with an elastic band. Wrap the bowl in a blanket/shawl and leave it undisturbed in a warm place such as the airing cuboard, providing it is free from draughts. It will take a little longer, say 8hrs and it could be prepared last thing at night and be ready in the morning.

Whatever method you use the yoghurt needs to go into the fridge as soon as it is ready. It will keep for a week but if you don't want to keep buying new yoghurts (I've actually bought 2 since last xmas) it's preferable to make a new batch every 4 days, this way you ensure a constant supply of sweet tasty yoghurt.