For a thick and rich Fruity Yogurt, drain sugar-free yogurt overnight and up to several days, in the refrigerator. You can do this by placing the yogurt in a filter-lined coffee basket set over a bowl, or a cheesecloth lined sieve or colander. This step isn’t necessary, it just gives you a yogurt more similar in texture to commercial yogurts, without all the sugars and thickeners.
Some Fruits have more water content than others and will therefore produce a much thinner yogurt. There are several ways to make these Fruity Yogurts thicker:
- freeze the finished yogurt for several hours, stirring and scraping every half hour until thick
- before adding the Fruit puree to the yogurt, place it in a sieve set over a bowl (the reserved juice can be used in a Fruit smoothie)
- stir in a tablespoon or two of finely ground flax seed or nuts and let sit overnight to thicken
- stir in roughly ground or finely chopped dried Fruit and let sit overnight to thicken
Puree the Fruit of your choice. Stir Fruit into yogurt. Do not beat or use a blender as the yogurt will become very thin. Taste and add any of the following to taste:
- unrefined sweetener
- sugar substitute
- vanilla extract or any other flavoring extract
- fresh lemon or orange juice
- dash of sea salt (brings out the flavors)
- ground ginger
Fruits to try:
- berries
- bananas
- peaches
- apples (add cinnamon to the yogurt)
- cantaloupe
- watermelon
