French Potted Yogurt: A Family Adventure in the Kitchen

Hello, fellow hat-wearing parents! It’s Ava from “All Them Hats” and today, I’m going to share a delightful, kid-friendly recipe that I learned during a trip to southern France before my little ones came along. This French-style potted yogurt is not only delicious but also a fantastic way to involve your children in the kitchen. So, let’s get started!

During my travels in southern France, I stayed at a charming Airbnb that offered a unique cooking class experience. The host wanted to give us a different perspective on French cuisine, and that’s where I learned this delightful recipe. The idea of making yogurt from scratch fascinated me, and I knew it was something I wanted to share with my kids one day.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt (with live active cultures)
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to your desired sweetness)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Optional: fruit preserves or honey for serving

Instructions:

1. Gather your little helpers: Before we start, let’s make sure we have our mini sous-chefs ready to assist. For my 6 and 5-year-old boys, I like to assign age-appropriate tasks. My almost 2-year-old daughter loves to watch and learn too!
2. Heat the milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it reaches about 180°F (82°C). This step should be done by an adult. Kids can help by stirring the milk occasionally with a whisk to prevent scorching.
3. Cool the milk: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the milk cool to around 110°F (43°C). This is a great opportunity to teach your kids about kitchen safety and the importance of allowing hot items to cool before handling them.
4. Mix the yogurt starter: In a small bowl, have one of your little helpers mix the plain yogurt with a few tablespoons of the cooled milk. This step helps to incorporate the yogurt more easily into the rest of the milk.
5. Combine the ingredients: Once the milk has cooled, invite your kids to help whisk in the sugar, vanilla extract, and yogurt starter. Encourage them to mix gently but thoroughly.
6. Pour into jars: Carefully pour the yogurt mixture into small glass jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of space at the top. My kids love this step! We use a small ladle and a funnel to minimize spills.
7. Cook the yogurt: Place the jars, without their lids, in the Instant Pot. Add 1 cup of water to the pot and lock the lid in place. Set the Instant Pot to “Yogurt” mode and let it cook for 8 hours. This part is for adults, but kids can watch and learn about the cooking process.
8. Cool and refrigerate: Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the jars from the Instant Pot using tongs. Allow them to cool for about 30 minutes before sealing with lids. Refrigerate the yogurt for at least 4 hours, or until completely chilled.
9. Serve and enjoy: When ready to serve, let your kids choose their favorite fruit preserves or a drizzle of honey to add on top of their potted yogurt. Enjoy a taste of southern France as a family!

I hope you and your little ones enjoy making and savoring this French-style potted yogurt. It’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories in the kitchen while teaching your children valuable culinary skills. Bon appétit!