Folks, I love everything home made, first of all I have this notion that it is more hygienic and therefore healthy and secondly the satisfaction we get when we make something with our own hands. I've seen my friends spending wastefully on items which can easily be made at home. And it will definitely taste way better than when it's store bought. When you make it at home,all the ingredients are in your hand and if you are diet conscious you can make it to suit your preference.
I would like to share with you two recipes - peanut butter and home made yogurt.
Making yogurt at home is like a child's play, just take care of two or three things and voila it's ready;))
Buy whole milk because you can get a thick consistency. Also you require one plain whole milk yogurt, because you need to scoop out a ladle full and add to the yogurt you are going to prepare.
1. Take a microwaveable bowl, see that it also has a firm lid.
Boil 3 cups of milk for six or seven minutes,the milk should boil and a layer of cream should start to form ( if you are using stove
then boil 3 cups of milk in a vessel and let the layer of cream start to form.
2. Let the milk cool down to room temperature or simply dip a clean finger into the milk,it should be warm not luke warm.
3. Take a ladle full of store bought plain yogurt and simply add to the boiled,cooled milk.
4.stir it well
5. Close the lid tightly.
6. Let it stay overnight or for at least 7-8 hours.
7. That's it,your yogurt is now ready.
Now for the preparation of peanut butter.
You need a very strong blender or grinder. I've a grinder.
Buy raw peanuts, they should have skin.
1. On a cold dry pan put about 2 cups of peanuts, we want the heat to go into the interior of the peanuts, keep the stove on a low flame only, after about 5 minutes of heating, keep stirring after every one minute, you will notice dark spots on the peanuts,some peanuts also start shedding skin,continue this process till the peanuts are properly dry fried. Eat one or two,you will know it's cooked;))
2. Take a coarse clean towel, put these peanuts on it,if you have a rolling pin,then just cover these peanuts in the towel and roll the rolling pin over it,the skin peels off easily. If you don't want to do any of this,then wait till the peanuts cool down,give to each member of the family a handful of peanuts and ask them to rub it and remove the peel;))
3. Now take the grinder and start grinding the peanuts, after its ground half way, add a small tea spoon of sugar,a pinch of salt and a spoon of peanut oil or any neutral oil like canola. Again grind it, either you can grind it till it gets a grainy texture or you can make it to a smooth paste.
4. Store it in a jar or bottle.
I'm trying to add pictures to make it clear.
