Question

Place \(1 / 4\) cup starter yogurt in the bowl. Slowly, stir in cooled milk, about \(1 / 3\) to \(1 / 2\) cup at a time, mixing after each addition until smooth.

Short answer

Mix \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup yogurt with \(\frac{1}{3}\) to \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup of cooled milk, stirring until smooth.

Step-by-step solution

Measure the Starter Yogurt

Place \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup of starter yogurt in the bowl. Use a measuring cup to ensure accuracy.

Add Cooled Milk Gradually

Slowly stir in cooled milk, starting with \(\frac{1}{3}\) to \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup at a time. Pour a small amount of milk into the bowl.

Mix Until Smooth

Mix the milk and yogurt thoroughly after each addition. Continue adding the milk gradually and mixing until the mixture is smooth.

Key concepts

starter yogurt

To make homemade yogurt, the first key ingredient you'll need is starter yogurt. This is a small amount of pre-made yogurt that contains live cultures, which help ferment the milk.
Ensure your starter yogurt is plain and contains live active cultures. These beneficial bacteria are responsible for turning milk into yogurt.
Here's what you need to do with your starter yogurt:

• Measure Accurately: Use a measuring cup to place \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup of starter yogurt in a bowl. This ensures you have the right amount for the fermentation process.
• Choose the Right Yogurt: Pick a plain yogurt with no added flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners.

Without the right starter yogurt, the milk won't ferment properly, and your homemade yogurt won't set.

cooled milk

The next important step in making yogurt is adding cooled milk. Heating the milk initially is essential to kill any unwanted bacteria, but letting it cool down is just as critical.
Here's why cooled milk is important and how to prepare it:

• Heat the Milk: Start by heating the milk to around 180°F (82°C). This helps to denature the proteins, which gives yogurt its texture.
• Cool the Milk: After heating, let the milk cool to about 110°F (43°C). This is the optimal temperature for the live cultures from the starter yogurt to thrive. Too hot, and you could kill the cultures; too cold, and the fermentation will be too slow or won't happen at all.
• Gradual Addition: Slowly adding the cooled milk into the starter yogurt helps to maintain the right consistency and avoids lumps.

Following these steps will ensure your milk is at the perfect stage for making yogurt.

step-by-step guide

Here is a detailed step-by-step guide to making yogurt at home. Each stage is critical to ensure a smooth and delicious yogurt.
Step 1: Measure the Starter Yogurt: Accurately measure \(\frac{1}{4}\) cup of starter yogurt and place it in a bowl.
Step 2: Add Cooled Milk Gradually: Slowly stir \(\frac{1}{3}\) to \(\frac{1}{2}\) cup of cooled milk into the bowl. Stir well after each addition to ensure the starter yogurt mixes evenly with the milk.
Step 3: Mix Until Smooth: Continue adding the cooled milk gradually, stirring thoroughly after each addition. The mixture should become smooth and consistent with no lumps.
Following these steps helps ensure the live cultures are evenly distributed and the yogurt sets well.