Coconut Yoghurt

I really like yogurt.

Unfortunately dairy doesn't like me, well the lactose part anyway. I do manage to get away with some goat and sheep products which is great, but I'm not a fan of sheep milk yogurt. It works well in cooking and as a dip (see my post on Labne), and is smooth and rich, but it just has a savoury tang that I can't reconcile with my taste buds when it comes to 'sweet' foods.

I have heard some rumours about a coconut yoghurt, and my sister saw some in Queensland, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I was intrigued. I couldn't really imagine the flavour, but my family is very fond of coconut anyway, so I wanted to give it a try.

I am the proud owner of an EasiYo yoghurt maker. It's the best and easiest way to make fresh, yummy yoghurt at home and in only a few simple steps. EasiYo also sell packets of many different yoghurt bases in all types of styles and flavours, but you can just 'seed' a new batch with some plain yoghurt. * EasiYo is NOT lactose free, but I use lactase enzyme drops from the health food shop or chemist to mix into it to break down the lactose for me. I've been making this stuff for years, and now the kids can do it for themselves, it's so easy.

Anyway, after that unsolicited advertisement, I wondered if it would be just as simple to make coconut yoghurt? If I substituted coconut milk for plain milk? My only issue was the starter. I needed 1/4 cup of yoghurt to start the culturing process off. I only had 'normal' yoghurt available, but I figured I would give it a try, just to see if it worked. Next time of course, I could use lactose free yoghurt and just keep seeding one batch with the previous one, after a few generations I think it would eventually be dairy free as well. Enough for me anyway, your body is your responsibility and you know what works for you.

Step 1. Place 1/4 cup plain yoghurt in EasiYo maker insert

Step 2. Pour in 2 tins of coconut milk or cream - this is about 800ml. Screw on lid tightly and shake, shake, shake while dancing round the kitchen for a minute or so

Step 3. Place in EasiYo thermos, fill with boiling water to top line and put on lid

Step 4. Leave for about 12 hours, then remove the insert jar and put in the fridge to set.

I usually make my yoghurt first thing in the morning, leave it all day, then place in the fridge overnight. This way it's fresh and ready for breakfast.

The yoghurt maker is quite simple really, it's just a plastic jar that sits on a ring inside a thermos, allowing the boiling water to completely surround it. It allows the heat to gently kick off the culturing and sits quietly on the bench minding it's own business, not needing any electricity or batteries, just emitting a slight healthy smugness as it digests the yumminess inside.

And the result of this experiment? A jar full of coconutty joy! Smooth, silky and creamy with a yummy tang. I had a big bowl of it on it's own, I had it with my breakfast muesli, it would be great as a side to a curry too.

The only drawback is that it's not as thick as normal yoghurt, a bit thinner than fruit flavoured ones. I did a bit of (belated) research, and most people seem to add a gum or gelatine thickener to their batch. I don't think I'll bother with that though, it tastes good and that's the main thing for me!

So Readers, what is more important to you, style or substance?