Place milk in a pot with a thick bottom and place it on low to medium heat. Simmer milk for 18-20 minutes until milk temperature reaches 185° F / 85° C.Remove from the heat.
Let the milk cool for 22-24 minutes until the milk temperature reaches 113°F / 45°C.
Using a glass or bowl, add a full tablespoon of yogurt and half a cup of the warmed milk. Mix well with a whisk and add it to the pot with the rest of the milk. Mix well.
Now the milk needs to ferment and thicken in a warm environment. Method A: Place milk in the microwave oven with the light on under it. Leave the pot in the microwave oven for 6-8 hours.Method B: Warm the oven to 113° F / 45° C and let milk rest in there. Check thickness after 3-4 hours.
Line a mesh sieve with the cheesecloth. Place the mesh sieve over the tallest bowl or pot you own to allow the liquids to gather on the bottom without touching the strainer and cheesecloth.Pour the yogurt into the cloth. Tie the cloth loosely around yogurt and place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours.The yogurt is ready!
Notes
Get a good full-fat yogurt with live active cultures, such as Fage. Thin a tablespoon first with some of the warm milk, then stir that into the pot.
You can also buy freeze-dried starter cultures, which look like powder and can be stirred right into the milk. Cultures for Health sell basic yogurt cultures and specific ones tailored for Greek yogurt.
Save a few tablespoons of your yogurt batch to use on your next one as a starter.
Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only an estimate and can vary based on the products used.