Easy French style yogurt recipe (regular and vegan)
Welcome to the world of culinary delights, where we're about to embark on a journey to create the most luscious and dreamy yogurt you've ever tasted! Say "bonjour" to French-style yogurt, a velvety wonder that captures the heart of France in every spoonful.Picture this: a creamy, cloud-like texture that effortlessly glides across your taste buds, leaving a trail of pure bliss. Now, imagine you can savor this enchanting goodness right in the comfort of your own home.
Ingredients
French yogurt traditional french recipe Ingredients:
- 4 cups (1liter) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt with live active cultures as a starter
Vegan French Style Yogurt Ingredients:
- 4 cups 1 liter of dairy-free milk (almond, soy, coconut, oat, or any plant-based milk of your choice)
- 2 tablespoons of dairy-free yogurt with live active cultures as a starter
- 2-4 vegan probiotic capsules optional, for additional probiotic boost
Instructions
How to make French style yogurt Instructions:
Heat the Milk:
- In a saucepan, gently heat the whole milk over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching and heat until the milk reaches around 180°F (82°C). Heating the milk helps to denature the proteins, which contributes to the thickness of the yogurt.
Cool the Milk:
- Once the milk reaches the desired temperature, remove it from the heat and let it cool down to around 110°F (43°C). You can expedite the cooling process by placing the saucepan in a cold water bath.
Add the Starter:
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with a small amount of the warm milk to create a smooth mixture. Then, pour the yogurt mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the milk and stir thoroughly.
Incubation:
- Transfer the milk-yogurt mixture into a clean glass jar or yogurt maker container. If you're using a yogurt maker, click the yogurt button and cover the yogurt glass containers with a lid. Cover the jar with a lid or wrap it with a towel. Maintain the mixture at a consistent temperature of around 110°F (43°C) for the fermentation process.
Fermentation Time:
- The fermentation process typically takes about 6 to 12 hours, depending on the desired thickness and tanginess of the yogurt. The longer you let it ferment, the tangier the yogurt will become. Be sure to check it occasionally to achieve your preferred taste.
Refrigerate:
- Once the yogurt reaches your desired taste and texture, refrigerate it in it's individual glass containers for at least 2 hours to halt the fermentation process and allow it to set fully.
Enjoy:
- Your homemade French-style yogurt is now ready to be savored! Serve it as is or with your favorite toppings such as fresh fruits, honey, or granola.
- Note: You can use this homemade yogurt as a starter for subsequent batches. Remember to reserve 2 tablespoons from each batch for the next one to maintain the culture.
How to make plant based yogurt Instructions:
Heat the Dairy-Free Milk:
- Pour the dairy-free milk into a saucepan and gently heat it over medium-low heat until it reaches around 180°F (82°C). Heating the milk helps to denature the proteins, similar to the process used in dairy-based yogurt.
Cool the Dairy-Free Milk:
- Allow the heated dairy-free milk to cool down to around 110°F (43°C). You can speed up the cooling process by placing the saucepan in a cold water bath.
Add the Starter and Vegan Probiotics (Optional):
- In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of dairy-free yogurt with a small amount of the warm milk to create a smooth mixture. Then, pour the yogurt mixture back into the saucepan with the rest of the dairy-free milk and stir thoroughly. If you want to boost the probiotic content, open 2-4 probiotic capsules and add the contents to the milk, stirring gently.
Transfer to the Yogurt Maker:
- Carefully pour the milk-yogurt mixture into the yogurt maker container. Place the container into the yogurt maker and set the machine to maintain a consistent temperature of around 110°F (43°C).
Incubation:
- Allow the dairy-free yogurt mixture to ferment in the yogurt maker for 6 to 12 hours. The fermentation time will depend on your desired taste and thickness. The longer the fermentation, the tangier the yogurt will become.
Refrigerate:
- Once the dairy-free yogurt reaches your preferred taste and texture, remove it from the yogurt maker and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours to halt the fermentation process and let it set fully.
Enjoy:
- Your dairy-free French-style yogurt with probiotics is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it plain, or add your favorite toppings such as fresh fruits, nuts, or seeds for added flavor and nutrition.