RECIPE FOR PLAIN YOGURT RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat milk in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it is steaming, barely bubbling and registers 180 degrees F on an instant-read or candy thermometer. (Do not leave unattended--it can boil over very quickly.)
• Carefully pour the milk into a clean, heat-safe 5- to 8-cup container. Let stand, stirring frequently, until cooled to 110 degrees F. Combine yogurt with 1/2 cup of the 110 degrees milk in a small bowl, then stir the mixture back into the warm milk.
• Cover the container and wrap in a clean kitchen towel to help keep it warm. Place in a very warm place (see Tip) and let stand, undisturbed, until thickened and tangy, at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours. Refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. The yogurt will thicken a bit more in the refrigerator.
• Line a large fine-mesh sieve with 2 layers of cheesecloth and place over a large bowl. Spoon the cooled yogurt into the cheesecloth, cover and refrigerate for 8 to 24 hours, depending on how thick you want it.

Steps:

• Step 1: Warm Milk:  Plug in the Instant Pot and remove the lid. Pour in the ultra pasteurized milk in your inner pot. Press the "Saute" function and put an external timer for just 30 seconds which is enough to make the milk lukewarm. Cancel the "Saute" function and check your teperature to make sure it is around 110-115 °F (43- 46 °C). Your milk should not be above 115 °F/ 46 °C or you will kill the bacteria.
• Step 2: Temper milk with the starter yogurt: When the milk is warm (110-115 °F/ 43- 46 °C), temper the milk. Transfer 1 cup of milk from the pot to a bowl and add 3 tablespoons of starter yogurt to it and incorporate well. Now pour this Starter/Milk mix back into the steel pot with the rest of the milk.
• Step 3: Whisk the milk: Whisk the milk well to incorporate well, the more you whisk the better results you will get. Whisking your milk well with a whisk before fermentation cycle gives you really thick set yogurt with almost no whey content. The more you whisk, the thicker your yogurt will be.
• Step 4: Set the "Sous Vide" function for incubation: Place the lid with the pressure valve in any position (venting or sealing does not matter as it is not under pressure) or place a clean glass lid. Press the "Sous Vide" button and use the +/- buttons to set temperature to 115 °F/ 46 °C. Also use the +/- buttons to adjust the timer to 8 hours. FYI, don't go beyond 115 °F / 46 °C or you will kill the bacteria.115 °F / 46 °C is the key!! No less no more.
• Step 5: Check if set: Check after 6 hours, the yogurt should be set already, if not keep it for the set 8 hours. Make sure to remove the lid gently to prevent the condensation liquid to drop on set yogurt. The yogurt might look slightly jiggly but don't worry you are on the right track.
• Step 6: Refrigerate: After it sets, take it out, cover it with a lid and refrigerate it immediately for 2 hours. This prevents the yogurt from becoming too tart. It also helps the yogurt to become thick and dense.
• Step 7: Serve: You should have a beautifully set thick greek style yogurt for sure. Serve this deliciously creamy yogurt plain or add some honey and some fresh fruits or go ahead and experiment with different things. Enjoy.