layering breakfast & coconut yogurt simplified

ahhhhhh breakfast.  i've got the kids layering their own parfaits!  i love LOVE my chop chop mag and the kids are enjoying flipping through it themselves.  in this month's issue they layered oranges, bananas and almonds.  we subbed our gf granola for the nuts:)  i hope you enjoy checking out chop chop's resources as much as i do!

i have two kids that like my coconut yogurt and one that does not.  phoooeeeeey.

today i'm attempting to use a portion of my last batch of coconut yogurt to culture a new batch... i used this article to help me figure out how much culture to add.

i am excited to report that the yogurt recipe has been simplified after some more experimentation and of course i'll report back if the culture works:)  my 1st coconut yogurt recipe included arrowroot and two cans of whole fat coconut milk, which results in slightly thicker yogurt with no difference in taste.

the mullies coconut yogurt

2 cans light coconut milk (i like trader joe's brand... one ingredient and it's cheap)
1 can organic full fat coconut milk
-combine in a small saucepan and heat to 180 degrees.
-let cool to 110 degrees.

2 tsp pomona's universal pectin
2 tsp calcium water
1 packet yogurt starter + powder from 3 probiotic tablets OR 2 tsp of yogurt from previous batch.
-whiz up with the yogurt, pectin, calcium water and starter in a blender or nutribullet for 20-30 sec.
-pour into a yogurt maker or a 110 degree oven and let it culture for 10 hours (8-10 is recommended)

that's it!

have fabulous weekend and keep it real baby:)

xoxo


ps

don't panic if the mullies is quiet for a bit...  i'm taking a lil break until the end of the month!:)

pour some coconut yogurt on me

that was yesterday testing the whole shabang out.  oh mama i'm home.  

i was super excited the day i got my new yogurt maker at my bunny's suggestion... and super stoked to try it out.  why homemade coconut yogurt?  2 reasons: 1. mac tolerates and loves sheep's milk yogurt, but he is allergic to casein and i should really avoid it.  2. it's expensive at almost $6 bucks a pop for 16 oz!  we were going through 4 tubs a week and that adds UP fast per month.  so we figured the machine would pay for itself in less than two months when you figure the cost of buying the coconut milk and the other ingredients.    

so, i started experimenting:  the first batch was great but way too watery, second batch batch was grainy with too much arrowroot and didn't taste tart at all.  the 3rd batch was flat out gross (almond milk did not work).

wed was my 4th try. 

i wasn't having a very good day wednesday.  patience was not my middle name.  between trying to get the kids organized for dinner, evening activities and leaving to work at my pitching clinic... triple oyes. if you could get into my head, this is what it would have sounded like: 

"what the f am i doing!?  slaving away at this stupid homemade yogurt!?  who do i think i am?  i can't even find a decent recipe to follow online... argh... i'd like to take this gumption and stick it right up the yogurt maker's butt."

and then came a new day - to the mullies i say...

i finally got the swing of it!

homemade coconut yogurt

(i did find this article helpful!)

2 cans full fat coconut milk (i used organic)

1 can light coconut milk 

2 T arrowroot starch

2 tsp powdered pectin + 2 tsp calcium water (both provided in the box!) *key texture ingredient

1 packet yogo brand yogurt starter packet (or 4 tablets of pro-biotic powder, which is what i used in my first round and it worked great!... just open them up to get the powder!)

    

directions:

1.  combine and begin heating all three cans of coconut milk in a small saucepan until smooth. 

2.  once smooth, set aside 1/2 of milk & make the "slurry": mix the 2 cups of milk + 2 T arrowroot  mix 3.  heat to 180 degrees

4.  add slurry back to heated milk and fully incorporate

5.  let cool to 110 degrees

6.  take 2 c of milk and place in blender or nutribullet.  

5.  to the blender: add 2 tsp powdered pectin + 2 tsp calcium water + yogurt starter/pro-biotic powder and blend for at least 30 sec to make sure fully and utterly incorporated.

6.  add 2 cups back to the to the rest of the milk and mix thoroughly.  (if you have room in your blender mix it all together!)

7.  pour into your yogurt maker and enjoy the best damn coconut yogurt e.v.e.r.

strawberry-granola-coconut-yogurt parfaits with honey

layer the following:

yogurt

granola

cut strawberries

honey

and repeat

you could add in so many other wonderful things... blueberries, peaches, raspberries, bananas, oh my... knock your socks off!

here is the fam this morning for a v-day breakfast of champions.  i had two helpings:)

happy valentine's day my little love bugs.

cheers to getting some fabulous sexy sauce tonight:)

xoxo

ps