Homemade Yogurt & Nut Free Granola

I love figuring out how to make my own foods from scratch- partly because I have so many food allergies and sensitivities, and partly because I like the challenge. I have been wanting to make my own yogurt since last summer, but was a bit leery that I would get it wrong. I have read many articles on the process, but it wasn't until I watched my new Homestead Blessings Dairy DVD that I felt confident to take the plunge. So this last Thursday I gathered my supplies, and with my daughter watching on, made my first batch of yogurt. I started rather late in the day, thinking that it would only take the minimum time to culture, but it ended up taking the full suggested time to finish- thank goodness I am a night owl. So very late Thursday night- more like very early Friday morning- I packed my jars of yogurt into the fridge to chill- I was also eager to make yogurt cheese (very similar to cream cheese), so I opened one of the jars of yogurt, and emptied it into a mesh strainer basket, sitting in a bowl, covered it with plastic wrap and went to bed.

Friday morning, I had my first homemade yogurt drizzled with honey, it has a different texture than my usual yogurt, but wasn't bad. I have been pretty spoiled by all the tasty new Greek yogurt that my local grocery store has started carrying. I really enjoyed the process, and plan on making it again, next time with the addition of powdered milk, which I hear thickens it up a bit. What was really amazing though was the yogurt cheese- it was very good, I spread the creamy cheese on bagels for an after school snack, and we all had a try. I will definitely be making more, very yummy!! I would highly suggest everyone who wants to try out their own dairy making projects to watch the Homestead Blessings Dairy DVD, it was easy to follow, and gave me the confidence I needed, next up homemade butter! See the right side of my blog for a link to Homestead Blessings DVDs at the Vision Forum, the DVD is called Homestead Blessings Dairy Delights. You can also find it from Amazon.



I also love yogurt with granola- so I thought I would whip up a quick batch. I am allergic to tree nuts- so any time I want my own granola, I make my own. This recipe is a modification of various granola recipes I had read in magazines. The kids really love it, and so do I. Making granola makes your whole house smell yummy.

Here's the recipe I used-

Preheat oven to 350 F.

2 egg whites whisked in a large bowl till frothy
Add- 1/3 cup honey, 1/3 cup molasses, & 1/3 cup dark brown sugar, also add 1/3- 1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon. Stir until combined.
Then stir in 5 cups of old fashioned rolled oats until thoroughly coated ( You could also stir in a half cup of wheat germ at this stage, which I like to do, but was all out this time). Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread on oat mixture. Bake in 350 F. oven, for around 25-30 minutes- stirring and checking every 10 minutes for it to be golden brown- if it looks like it needs longer, like mine did, I turned the heat down to 200 f. and gave it another 10 minutes stirring every 5 minutes- Watch carefully- because of the sugar this can burn very quickly. When it is done, let it cool all the way in pan, then stir in 1 cup chopped dates, and 1 cup raisins. Store in an airtight container. My whole family loves this granola.

Hope you are inspired to try making your own yogurt & granola, it is well worth the time & effort.