Homemade Curds

For many like us, Indians, yogurt is an integral part of our meals and making them at home is no special skill. Unlike in many western countries, we don't consume yogurt as part of breakfast. But yet for us to make the fresh tasting yogurt is just as important as it is to enjoy it for every meal!! So a peek at how I make it at home!!


The previous generations of our likes have had the privilege to enjoy nature's best gift in its true and natural form. Farm fresh milk without any adulteration or processing , best home made butter and ghee, butter-milk and the best tasting curds(yogurt) all the time.


The best recollection from my childhood is the fresh frothy milk from the cattle in my grandparent's backyard, the best tasting curds with leftover rice for early morning breakfast and the aromatic ghee freshly made at home. Oh My God! I am just drooling here thinking about all those favorites !! But I must agree that my mom and her generation have been far more lucky than us.


The milk was boiled in earthen pots (or clay pots) on a slow burning coals. The pots were specially made for boiling milk in them, I am told. That would result in a one inch thick layer of cream floating on the top. The cream would then be removed for butter/ghee making which would result in a sweet tasting thin butter milk (yumm!). The milk would then be cooled down until just lukewarm and a teaspoon of curd added to the milk , covered and set aside in a warm place for curdling. In a few hours depending on the location, fresh tasting, divine curds would be ready. 


In my recent trip to India, I happened to locate some terra cotta pots in a handicrafts store and gladly picked them up to experiment on making curds in them. I already knew that in many parts of India, 'matka dahi' as is known locally, is known for its addictive taste! It was a pleasant surprise to taste almost the same earthy taste in the yogurt I made in them. These terra cotta handmade pots are microwave safe and also safe on the stove top. Now the kids have become addictive to 'terra cotta curds' as well!!


Homemade Curds




Ingredients - 


Milk 4 cups
Yogurt/Curds 1 tsp


Method Of Preparation - 


Boil milk in a sauce pan making sure the bottom of the pan doesn't burn. [I boil the milk in the terra cotta pots in the microwave and curdle in it.]


Cool until it is lukewarm to touch.


Mix in the curds , cover and set aside in a warm place for a few hours undisturbed.


Enjoy the homemade curds!


A few tips on speeding up the process of curdling - 
  • Add a slit green chilli or red chilli to the milk along with the yogurt.
  • In cold places, the best bet from my experience is to put it in the oven with the oven light on.
  • Also make sure the milk is slightly warmer than lukewarm and the curds is at room temperature!
  • Make sure the curds used to culture is as fresh as possible. [I usually store a small bowl of curds in the freezer just in case. I got the initial culture of curd from India.]
Preparation Time 20 min, Cooling time 40 min , setting time 5-6 hrs
Yields 4 cups
Posted by Harini on Monday, January 9, 2012

13 comments

  1. Usha Says:
  2. I love your terra cotta pots!

    Even I make yogurt at home too but both of us are not very fond yogurt. Sometimes we don't eat yogurt for days. Some of my North Indian friends find it very odd that being a south Indian, I don't eat yogurt everyday..

     
  3. Usha Says:
  4. Interesting, I did not know that terra cotta pots are microwave safe..

     
  5. Sravs Says:
  6. Nice Post !! beautiful pots well presented !!

    Ongoing Event - CC-Chocolate Fest

     
  7. Spiceroots Says:
  8. Lovely lovely pots and spoons! I want :D:D

    And I so wish for the thick layers of cream floating on top.. sigh.. gone are the days.

     
  9. Nisha Says:
  10. Beautiful pots and spoons

     
  11. divya Says:
  12. fabulous pics...

     
  13. Unknown Says:
  14. WOW Harini!! want to simply lap up those pots of deliciousness!! Superb pictures and yogurt has turned out amazing!!!! Wish I could get the culture from you :)

    Happy new year dear! Priya

     
  15. pictures look fabulous delicious yogurt

     
  16. Aarthi Says:
  17. Yummy recipe…will try it for sure..Thanks for posting

    Aarthi
    http://yummytummy-aarthi.blogspot.com

     
  18. Chitra Says:
  19. Love the pots very much. awesome presentation.. :)

     
  20. Priya Suresh Says:
  21. Those pots looks damn cute..nothing will beat homemade curds na..

     
  22. Suma Gandlur Says:
  23. Anthaga merusthunte, mosapoyanu. Terracoota anukoledu, plastic anukunna. Bagunnayandi buddi bindela madirigunnayi. :)

     
  24. This comment has been removed by the author.  
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Search Tamalapaku


Follow me

Follow Me on Pinterest

Tamalapaku on Facebook

Subscribe via Email


Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner


On Our Menu









Archives

Followers

Member Of

All recipes are on Petitchef
Top Food Blogs
Blog Directory