Drained Yogurt Recipes

AUTHENTIC HOMEMADE YOGURT

Steps:

• On a work surface, lay four clean cotton towels in a cross pattern, each with one end overlapping a few inches in the center. Position a large baking dish or glass mixing bowl in the center of the towels.
• Set the plain yogurt on the counter to warm to room temperature while preparing milk mixture.
• Combine milk and half-and-half in a large, heavy, non-aluminum pot. Heat over low to moderate heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just comes to the boil. Immediately remove from heat and pour mixture into the waiting bowl. Add 1 pint whipping cream, if desired, for added richness.
• Allow mixture to cool to 112 degrees F (44 degrees C). Gradually pour 1 cup of the warm milk into the yogurt, whisking constantly. Return the yogurt-milk mixture to the bowl and stir well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap; wrap kitchen towels up and over bowl, covering completely. Let stand at room temperature until firmly set, 8 to 12 hours.
• Refrigerate yogurt several hours or overnight to chill completely.

DRAINED YOGURT

Steps:

• Line a strainer with a double thickness of cheesecloth and set it over a bowl. Place the yogurt in the strainer and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and preferably 4 hours or longer. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate. Serve as a spread, dip, as a topping for rice, or as the base for a salad dressing.

CARAMEL YOGURT

Steps:

• Place yogurt in a fine-meshed strainer or colander lined with cheesecloth. Place strainer over a bowl and drain for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Reserve all liquid in bowl: this is whey. There should be about 2 cups firm drained yogurt. If necessary, return enough whey to yogurt to make 2 cups.
• In a medium saucepan, place sugar, salt and 1 cup whey. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently; adjust heat as needed so mixture does not boil over. Cook until liquid boils off and remaining syrup becomes deep brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Add 2 tablespoons whey to pot and stir to blend well. If mixture is too thick to stir, add another tablespoon of whey. Allow caramel to cool slightly, stirring frequently to make sure it remains fluid. (If caramel stiffens too much to stir, place over a pot of hot water and stir until fluid again.) Add 1/4 cup yogurt to pot and stir vigorously to blend. Add remaining yogurt and stir to blend fully.
• Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until chilled, at least 30 minutes. If desired, serve garnished with a sprinkling of cardamom, cinnamon or grated lemon zest.