Sour milk (homemade yogurt)

Delicious sour milk recipe (homemade yogurt)

If you are looking for a simple recipe, yet with a unique taste and multiple uses, you have come to the right place! Sour milk, a creamy and flavorful homemade yogurt, is an excellent choice for everyday meals. Whether you want to serve it as a dessert alongside fresh fruits or use it in various dishes, this recipe will surely bring a smile to your face. And the best part? It is extremely easy to prepare!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Fermentation time: 3 hours
Total time: 3 hours and 10 minutes
Number of servings: 6

Necessary ingredients:
- 2 liters of whole milk (we recommend buying it from the market, preferably from a local producer)
- 1 teaspoon of sour milk (natural yogurt, preferably from cow's milk)
- 1 teaspoon of sour cream (optional, for a creamier texture)

Preparing sour milk: Step by step

1. Boil the milk: Start by pouring the 2 liters of milk into a large pot. Heat it over medium heat until it reaches the boiling point. Make sure not to leave it unattended, as the milk can boil quickly and spill.

2. Cooling the milk: Once the milk has boiled, remove it from the heat and let it cool. This is a crucial step! You need to wait until the milk is warm enough so that you can hold your finger in it without burning yourself. The ideal temperature is around 38-40 degrees Celsius. If the milk is too hot, it will leave a lot of whey.

3. Preparing the sour milk: In a separate cup, put 1 teaspoon of sour milk (yogurt) and gradually mix it with a little warm milk. This step helps to homogenize the ferment with the warm milk, preventing lumps from forming.

4. Adding the sour cream: If you want a creamier yogurt, now is the time to add 1 teaspoon of sour cream to the milk and sour milk mixture. This will enrich the texture of the final product. Mix well until everything is homogenized.

5. Final combination: Pour the milk and sour milk mixture into the large pot with the warm milk. Use a whisk to mix well, ensuring that the ferment is evenly distributed in the milk.

6. Fermentation: Cover the pot with a lid or a small plate and wrap it with a blanket or a thick towel to retain heat. Let the sour milk ferment in a warm place for about 3 hours. You can place it in a draft-free area, such as an off oven or near a radiator.

7. Cooling: After 3 hours, transfer the pot to the refrigerator. This will stop the fermentation process and help the yogurt become cooler and firmer.

Serving and combinations:

Sour milk can be served plain, but for an explosion of flavors, you can add fresh fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, or peaches. It is also delicious alongside a flavorful jam or with a spoonful of honey. In some cultures, it is customary to consume sour milk with warm or cold polenta, or alongside stuffed cabbage rolls - a combination that will delight your taste buds!

Possible variations:

- If you want to experiment, you can use goat or sheep milk, which will provide a distinct flavor.
- Instead of sour cream, you can add a little vanilla to give a special aroma.
- You can turn the sour milk into delicious ice cream by mixing it with strawberries and honey, then freezing the mixture.

Nutritional benefits:
Sour milk is an excellent source of probiotics, which help maintain gut health. It is also rich in calcium and protein, making it a healthy choice for any diet.

Frequently asked questions:

- What if I don't have homemade yogurt? If you don't have access to homemade yogurt, you can use a thick store-bought yogurt. This will work just as well as a ferment.
- How long does it last in the refrigerator? Sour milk can last up to 1-2 weeks in the refrigerator, but it is recommended to consume it as soon as possible to enjoy its freshness.

Useful tips:
- Use a ceramic or clay pot for fermentation; these retain heat better.
- If you notice that your yogurt is becoming too sour, shorten the fermentation time for the next round.

In conclusion, sour milk is not only a delicious dish but also a childhood memory for many of us. The experience of making it at home is unparalleled, and the final result will turn any meal into a celebration of taste. Try this simple recipe, and you will fall in love with it!