HOMEMADE PROBIOTIC COCONUT YOGURT
/I love this recipe. It makes a super thick, creamy, probiotic-rich vegan yogurt using just 2 simple ingredients. Homemade yogurt is free from unwanted additives and is much cheaper than store-bought, too!
Ingredients for 1.5 cups of yogurt:
one 14-oz (400mL) can organic coconut cream OR 2 cans of full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
high-quality probiotic capsules including multiple strains, adding to a total of 80 to 100 billion units (for example, 2 x 50 billion capsules)
Optional add-ins:
Lakanto sugar-free monkfruit sweetener, stevia, or raw honey (nonvegan), adjusted to taste
1/2 to 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
If using coconut milk, scrape off firm coconut cream from the top without mixing with water underneath. The water can be reserved for smoothies or cooking as desired.
Put coconut cream in a glass bowl and allow to reach room temperature.
Crack open probiotic capsules and mix into the coconut cream using a non-metal spoon. Stir until smooth.
Cover with a cheesecloth or thin tea towel and allow to sit at room temp for 24 to 48 hours. The yogurt should be tangy but not discoloured or “funky”.
Add optional sweetener and/or vanilla and refrigerate before serving.
This homemade coconut yogurt can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days.
Side Note:
You can top this yogurt with whatever your heart desires. But I’ve also used it as a base for a variety of BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL & BOOSTED (protein & micronutrients) sweet & savoury yogurts!
Consider mixing in:
pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean
applesauce or fruit purée
mashed avocado
pumpkin or sweet potato purée & pumpkin pie spice
other vegetable purée (eg. carrot & spices for “carrot cake” yogurt)
combined fruit & vegetable purée (eg. mango & spinach for “green smoothie” yogurt)
cacao powder
nut or seed butter
beetroot crystals (pink)
chlorella or blue spirulina
matcha
turmeric and/or chai spices
hot sauce, spices and/or herbs for savoury yogurt
adaptogens such a maca or chaga
collagen peptides or protein powder