You guys see my grocery bill (and contents) every week, so you know I have a Greek Yogurt problem. It like it and I buy it weekly, but, it is a lot more expensive than traditional yogurt.
I always buy plain nonfat Greek yogurt, and use it as a nighttime snack, usually in a parfait form with some kiwi, mango, or strawberries if I’m lucky. Flavored varieties have a lot of added sugar, so I sweeten with fruit only. I don’t like to go to bed too hungry, but I don’t want to load up on a bunch of carbs before going to sleep. So, a small yogurt parfait does the trick when I need a snack, and is high in protein.
In reading the Café Flora Cookbook (seriously, I love this cookbook), I discovered something worth sharing. If you strain regular yogurt, you can get anything from Greek yogurt thickness to crème fraiche to cream cheese, depending on how long you drain it. By draining it, you remove the whey, and the yogurt gets thicker. You’re basically doing what the folks at Fage do to get Greek yogurt, but, saving a little money.
Genius.
You need:
- Yogurt (any type will work, except for yogurt with gelatin added as a thickener)
- Sieve
- Coffee Filter
- Bowl
Instructions:
- Put the coffee filter in the sieve and the sieve on a deep bowl
- Scoop the yogurt into the coffee filter
- Set the contraption in your fridge to let the yogurt drain
- After one hour, the volume will be reduced by 25%, perfect Greek Yogurt thickness
- If you drain the yogurt overnight, it’ll reduce by 50% you’ll have cream cheese thickness.
Before:
After 1 hour:
There are about 1.5 inches of liquid in the bowl, which measured to 3/4 cup!
Have a great Monday!
View Comments (7)
What can the liquid be used for not to waste it? What is the liquid that is drained off
Hi Paula,
The liquid is pretty much just water. The draining removes the water and makes a much thicker yogurt….
Any chance of posting some basic smoothie recipes for an absolute novice in the blending / smoothie world please? I have been to too many sites and most of them require basket full of ingredients. Have tried making apple smoothie, which turned out disasterous, to say the least.
Thanks
Hi Anne,
I have quite a few smoothie recipes over on my Ninja Blender Recipe page, but, you sparked an idea for me. I’ll work on a “Smoothie 101” post with a simple formula to make smoothies — I’ll aim to post it next week.
For what it’s worth, I generally wouldn’t put apples in a smoothie, as they are so fibrous. Berries, bananas, peaches, mangoes, and things that are a little less fibrous usually do better, but I’ll get you some better guidance soon!
Angela
A – you have inspired me. I bought the Mega and have yet to use it. I want to be healthy but am not sure where to start. My battery is running down on my iPad I’ve been on you site so long!
Did you ever complete Smoothie 101?
Thank you for all you do!
Melody
P.S. did you ever finish your remodel?
Hi Melody,
Thanks for your kind note and so sorry about draining your iPad battery. ?
Here is the smoothie 101: https://testkitchentuesday.com/2013/01/21/successful-smoothies-101how-to-create-fantastic-blended-drinks/
And, we are closing in on finishing the remodel – the goal is to be totally done by early summer 2014. I broke my kneecap in July and that put a bit of a pause in the schedule. I’m just now getting around somewhat “normally.” Life gave us some lemons in 2013!
In terms of getting healthy, I have a small suggestion. Instead of your normal breakfast, start having a green smoothie for breakfast. I have quite a few recipes here on the blog, but a simple one is: 1 cup of either coconut water or unsweetened almond milk, 1-2 handfuls raw baby spinach, juice from 1/2 lemon, small chunk of ginger, 1/2 Hass avocado, and about 3/4 cup frozen pineapple. You can also add a scoop of a quality protein powder (fewer than 5g sugar per scoop is preferred). Add 5-6 ice cubes and blend on “2” until it’s pretty well smooth (you may not totally pulverize the spinach). This small change will amaze you, trust me. You’ll have more energy, feel better, and, will start to make even more changes. It’s a positive slippery slope!
Good luck!!
Angela
Hello & WOW…..
I have just come across this website…. IN love. I am so excited to keep reading!!!! I just read free vitamins for my plants.
(Yogurt) I had absolutely no IDEA it was as easy as draining water out of it. I love greek yogurt hate the price… I also buy plain yogurt for the exact reason listed. I am able to add my own fresh fruits and no sweetener, its healthier…
This website has just made my day.
My original search was for Ninja blender product reviews and happened to stumble across this website… AGAIN WOW!!! The info is amazing.
Thx-Chandra