In the last post I talked about making bread and yogurt and one of my friends has suggested that I give the recipes for these on my blog so here they are.
WHEAT BREAD
1 1/2 c. warm milk
2 T. oil or melted butter
2 T. sugar
1 t. salt
2 c. bread flour
2 c. whole wheat flour
2 T. wheat gluten (opt. this helps it be less crumbly)
1 1/2 T. yeast
I put this in my bread maker on the express bake cycle in exactly this order and it usually comes out great! A couple of things. This is a lot of yeast, but I think it’s because it’s on the express cycle. If you are trying it for the first time, just keep an eye on how fast it’s rising. I know from experience that bread machines should not be left completely alone to cycle. Even a recipe you’ve used many times could rise too high and cause it to overflow and burn. As long as you’re in the house you’ll know.
BASIC YOGURT
(To do a gallon, just quadruple this recipe.)
1 qt. milk (any type)
1/4 c. dry milk powder for a thicker product (opt.)
AND, OR
1 T. thickener; such as carrageenan, pectic, or gelatin (opt.)
2 T. plain yogurt with live cultures or 1 packet yogurt starter
1. Combine the milk, milk powder (if using), and thickener (if using). Heat the mixture to 180F.
2. Let the milk cool to 116F. Add the starter; mix well.
3. Keep covered, at 116F, for at least 6 hours, or until set to the consistency of thick cream. (For this step I pour it into old glass peanut butter jars with metal lids and put it in a preheated oven that I’ve set around 150F or so. I then wrap it in towels and set it in a pan all wrapped up and turn OFF the oven. Every two or three hours I remove the jars, reheat the oven, turn it OFF again and put the jars back.)
4. Refrigerate and serve cold. This will keep, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.
5. Remember to save some of the old yogurt for your next batch!
I got most of this recipe from a book by Ricki Carroll called Home Cheese Making. If you want to try out something fun someday with kids or friends try making her 30 minute mozzarella. The banner at the top of my blog shows our community doing exactly that!
