Hello to all lovers of easy and genuine cooking! Are you ready to revolutionize your breakfast and snack time? Today I’ll reveal how to make a creamy and delicious homemade yogurt using your Monsieur Cuisine Smart. Forget store-bought yogurt: with this Lidl kitchen robot, you can achieve perfect yogurt with the “Ferment” function incredibly simply.
Imagine a yogurt without preservatives, customizable to your liking, and above all, super economical! You only need a few minutes of preparation, and the magic of your Monsieur Cuisine Smart will do the rest. I’ll guide you step by step for a result that will surprise you and make you say goodbye forever to the fridge aisle. Let’s get to work!
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain natural yogurt (whole)
- 3 cups whole milk
Tools
- 1 Spatula
- 6 Jars
- 1 Kitchen Robot Monsieur Cousine Smart
Step-by-Step Preparation
With the integrated scale (use the appropriate button), weigh the whole milk directly in the bowl and then the plain natural yogurt.
Tip: Make sure the yogurt you use as a “starter” has live and active cultures. Read the label carefully! This is the secret to starting a good fermentation.Close the lid of the Monsieur Cuisine Smart. On the display, find and select the “Ferment” function. Set the temperature to 104°F and the time to 8 hours.
Why 104°F and 8 hours? This temperature is ideal for the development of lactic cultures, which turn the lactose in the milk into lactic acid, thickening the yogurt and giving it its characteristic flavor. The 8-hour duration is standard for achieving good consistency and acidity. If you prefer it more acidic and denser, you can extend by 1-2 hours.
Press the button to start fermentation. Now your Monsieur Cuisine Smart will do all the work! You can go to sleep, work, or do whatever you like.Once the fermentation program is finished, your yogurt is ready! Pour it into clean and sterilized jars.
Seal the jars and place them in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours before consuming them.
Why the refrigerator rest? This step is crucial! It allows the yogurt to reach its final consistency, cool properly, and stabilize its flavor, making it denser and more pleasant to the palate.
Useful Tips for a Perfect Homemade Yogurt!
Choose the right milk: Whole milk will yield a creamier and richer yogurt. If you use semi-skimmed milk, the yogurt will be more liquid. UHT milk is fine, but good fresh pasteurized milk can give an even more authentic flavor.
The starter is crucial: Make sure the yogurt you use as a base contains live lactic cultures. Do not use long-shelf-life or flavored yogurts, as they may not contain the necessary bacteria for fermentation.
Consistency: If your yogurt turns out too liquid after 12 hours in the fridge, next time try extending the fermentation by 1-2 hours (up to 10 hours total) or slightly increasing the amount of starter yogurt.
Hygiene: It’s important to use well-cleaned and, if possible, sterilized jars and tools to avoid the growth of unwanted bacteria that could alter the taste and preservation of the yogurt.
Storage and Renewal of Your Yogurt!
How long does it last? You can store your homemade yogurt in sealed jars in the refrigerator for a maximum of 8-10 days. After that, its acidity may increase and consistency change.
Stop buying yogurt! With about 1/2 cup of your freshly made yogurt, you can start a new batch! This means that once you purchase the initial ingredients, you can continue making yogurt indefinitely, saving money and always having a fresh product.
Delicious Variations to Personalize Your Yogurt
The beauty of homemade yogurt is that you can personalize it as you wish!
Fresh Fruit: Add pieces of seasonal fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, peaches).
Dried Fruit and Seeds: Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds for a crunchy and nutritious touch.
Cereals and Puffed Rice: Granola, muesli, rolled oats, or puffed rice for a complete breakfast.
Spread Creams: A teaspoon of hazelnut cream (like Nutella), peanut butter, or pistachio cream.
Honey or Maple Syrup: To naturally sweeten and give a particular aroma.
Marmalade or Fruit Compote: For a sweeter and fruitier taste.
FAQ – Homemade Yogurt with Monsieur Cuisine Smart
My yogurt turned out too liquid, what can I do?
The causes can vary: the starter yogurt wasn’t active enough, the milk wasn’t whole, or the fermentation time wasn’t sufficient. Next time, try using a fresher starter yogurt with guaranteed live cultures, whole milk, and/or extend the fermentation by 1-2 hours.
Can I use plant-based milk?
Yes, you can try. However, the fermentation of plant-based milk is different from that of cow’s milk, and the final consistency may vary greatly. It often requires the addition of thickeners (like cornstarch) or specific strains of vegan cultures to achieve a good density.
Can I add sweeteners or flavors before fermentation?
It’s not recommended. Sugar can alter the fermentation process, and flavors might interfere with the activity of the cultures. It’s always better to add sweeteners, fruit, or flavors only after the yogurt is ready and has rested in the refrigerator.
The yogurt tastes too sour, why?
This happens if the fermentation was too long. The lactic cultures continue to produce acid. If you prefer it less sour, try reducing the fermentation time by 1-2 hours next time.
And here you are, with your jar of homemade yogurt thanks to the Monsieur Cuisine Smart! Isn’t it amazing how easy and rewarding it is to create such a genuine and delicious product with your own hands? You’ll soon forget store-bought yogurt and enjoy an unparalleled taste and wellness experience.
This recipe is not only a way to save money but also to have total control over the ingredients and personalize your yogurt exactly as you want it.
What will be your favorite topping? Leave a comment below and share your creations! Until the next easy and tasty recipe!
