Yoghurt - looking for cheaper options

OK, so I'm a skinflint - it's a must when the budget is limited but I like the challenge.

The EasiYo mixes certainly are convenient but also expensive.  Granted it's cheaper than buying ready made yoghurt but I remember making yoghurt years ago with heated milk and seeding it with a little bought yoghurt.  There's tons of info online and I've been experimenting.  So here's what works for me.

Half fill the container with filtered water and add 1½ cups of full cream powdered milk.  Put the lid on and shake to mix.  Add 2 tab Greek Yoghurt (powder or prepared), fill to the line and replace the lid.  Give it a good shake then put it into the prepared thermos.  Leave it for about 16 hours and refrigerate.  I serve it with strawberry topping or home made strawberry jam.  Yum.

EasiYo Yoghurt Maker - review

Years ago, when the kids were little, I use to make yoghurt using an electric yoghurt maker that had a number of small tubs - probably a collectable by now.  It was a fair bit of work to make that yoghurt, a bit hit and miss and the finished product wasn't popular with the family.  I've been buying yoghurt ever since.

You are probably like me and walked past the EasiYo display in the supermarket many times and dismissed the idea of making yoghurt using a powder.  Well, a friend served me a dessert with fruit and this lovely sweet, thick creamy topping.  "Greek yoghurt" she announced - "I made it myself."

So here I am with my first batch on the go.  Will it be a success?  Stay tuned.

Jams and Marmalades

I like to make at least 2 batches of jam and marmalade each year as there's very few commercial brands that I like.  The Buderim Ginger varieties are a notable exception.  Cherry is my favourite when I can get reasonably priced fruit.

This week I processed some strawberries and also made some grapefruit marmalade so I've enough for 12 months or so now with a few spare jars to give away.

My recipes are here....

Sourdough bread in the bread maker

I'm still experimenting with my sourdough made using the breadmaker from sponge to loaf.  I think I'm close.

My breadmaker is an elderly Breville but it does give me the opportunity to manually set up a recipe.  Based on other recipes that come with the breadmaker and what's needed to make a sourdough loaf, I've tried a number of manual settings now.  While the loaves are fine, they are difficult to remove from the bread pan - small price to pay for automation IMHO. 

Once the sponge is left overnight to rise and become active, the process takes between 5 and 9 hours, which isn't too bad.  I'm thinking that the process will take longer in our Winter than it will come Summer.

Keep tuned for the recipe.