Ah Ha Moment

Over the past few months, I have discovered the joy that is Greek-style yogurt.  Dedicated scientist that I am, I have eaten my way through every brand and variety that I could find.  My conclusion:  all Greek-style yogurt is not created alike.  Some are pretty darn yucky.  Some are a little bit of heaven in a plastic cup (Fage, you are my dream yogurt!)  They all have one thing in common...they are all much pricier than their French, American, and Dora, the Explorer-style counterparts.

So, ever thrifty shopper and cook that I also am, I began researching how Greek-style yogurt is made.  The manufacturers websites were little to no help.  Other than a few tidbits about it being a 'multi-step process' and 'made in the ancient traditional way' they were holding on to their secrets pretty tightly.  So, I did what I always do.  I Googled.  I found several home kitchen how-to recipes.  And that's when I happened.  The Ah Ha Moment.  I already knew how to make Greek-style yogurt!

I've been making 'yogurt cream cheese' for many years to use as a substitute for regular cream cheese in recipes.  It's really good on bagels and with salsa on crackers, especially.  This is what I do...

I line a steel strainer with a white paper towel.  It will hold a quart of yogurt.  I put the strainer over a bowl to catch the tart juice that drains away.  I usually cover the whole thing with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge overnight.  Come morning, I just roll the yogurt cheese out of the paper towel into a container.

Well, the 'ancient traditional way' of making Greek-style yogurt is exactly the same process, only I left it to drain for only 4 hours instead of over night.  I just ate some (mixed with a bit of homemade raspberry jam thankyouverymuch) and it is perfect.  And delicious.  And it's going to save me a ton of money.

The one quart container of yogurt (cost:  $2.99) yielded about 28 ounces of Greek-style yogurt.  So, figuring about 10.5 cents per ounce, that's 63 cents for a six ounce serving.  Add a dime or so for the homemade jam and that's a whole heck of a lot less than the
$1. 79 that my beloved Fage usually costs.  Sorry, Fage, I won't be back without a really great coupon.