After much reading and research I followed the recipe the bloggers over at
The Kitchn created the first time I made yogurt. I have modified a few things to suit my needs, but they did a really nice job explaining the process.
*I first made this yogurt using 4 cups of skim milk and a ¼ cup of yogurt because I wasn't sure how much of it we would eat. Modify as you like, just keep the ratio consistent (for every 4 cups of milk add ¼ cup of yogurt. I am now using a gallon of milk and ½ cup yogurt). Once you have made your first batch of yogurt you can use YOUR yogurt to make all future batches. Doesn't get more from scratch than that! Unless you have cows...
**if you don't have a dutch oven use something comparable. You want a pot that will retain heat and maintain a consistent temperature.
***I read a lot about how to make yogurt safely and there are really no guidelines, so I made this up. This is JUST what
I came up with, and I do not guarantee or even recommend this as a method to sterilize your equipment. I can only attest to that it has worked for me.
****I find it easier to lay my towel out on my oven rack and place the dutch oven onto the towel and then wrap it in the oven.