When I was doing the natural foods challenge not long ago I tried yogurt making again. This time I tried the crock pot method. Blog after blog declared what a great method it was. Maybe for them. Me? Yogurt soup again. Also, the whole timing of heating, then resting, then stirring, then letting sit for 8 hours just didn't really fit my schedule.
Lately we've been using our dehydrator more. My husband made some really delicious beef jerky. My parents apple trees needed picking so two huge batches of apples were dried. The dehydrator book said that it could be used to make yogurt. I decided to give it a try.
Success!
Much faster and easier than the crock pot method. It only took 3 hours. Even with non-fat milk I ended up with thick yogurt without adding any powdered milk, gelatin or anything at all extra.
I decided to drain the last batch for greek style yogurt and made these yogurt parfaits. I love these because you make them, press a little plastic wrap on the top and stick them in the fridge. When you are ready your delicious yogurt treat is ready for you. This one is topped with some of Ashley's Banana Coconut Granola (just scroll down to recipe #3).
Perfect!
I was particularly happy to have this waiting in the fridge for me after another day of hot and sweaty yoga! I just pulled out a spoon and sprinkled on the granola and was ready to dig in. Perfect fast food breakfast.
Yes, I did survive to take another yoga class today. I got up and felt great; just a teeny bit sore in a couple of places. Then I went to class and when we started doing those poses I realized that actually everything hurt. It still felt great to take class though, and while I do still have some sore spots I'm glad I went.
The original recipe for the parfait calls for pureeing a mango and two bananas for the fruit layer. It is delicious that way. However, my fridge is overflowing at the moment with peaches and nectarines so that is what I used - two of each. I peeled the peaches but not the nectarines.
Yes, the fruit did get a little brown - those fruits do that - perhaps a squeeze of lemon juice would help fend off oxidation. It tasted great though.
Peach and Yogurt Parfait
Adapted from a recipe found in an old issue of Hallmark magazine. Try other fruits or even applesauce instead of the peaches. The original recipe called for one mango and two bananas and is very good.
3 C plain greek style yogurt
2 T honey
1/2 t vanilla
4 peaches, peeled
honey to taste
1/2 t vanilla
Stir together the yogurt, honey and vanilla and set aside.
Puree the fruit, vanilla and honey (if needed) until smooth in a blender or food processor.
Place 1/4 cup of the yogurt mixture in the bottom of each of six serving dishes. Divide the fruit between the dishes. Top with remaining yogurt and smooth to cover the fruit.
Cover and chill.
printable version - yogurt_parfait.pdf
- - marcella
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