Celebrate National Dairy Month

STATEWIDE – Each month, the Colorado Department of Agriculture features a different product to highlight the variety and quality of products grown, raised or processed in the state. June is National Dairy Month! Colorado is home to 148,000 milk cows that produce 436 million gallons of milk each year. Milk is a nutrition powerhouse, providing nine essential nutrients in the form of calcium, potassium, phosphorus, protein, and vitamins A, D, B12, riboflavin and niacin. Look for Colorado dairy products at your local grocery store, farmers’ market or on the menu at restaurants across the state.

Homemade Yogurt

Chef Jason K. Morse, C.E.C., 5280 Culinary, LLC and Ace Hardware Grill Expert

1 Quart whole milk

1/4 Cup plain Greek yogurt or 5 gram packet powdered yogurt starter

Heat milk in a thick walled saucepan to 180°F. Turn off heat and cool milk to 120°F then add starter (yogurt or powder). Preheat incubator to 115°F. Incubate in a thermos, crockpot or warm oven at 115°F for a minimum of 5 hours, or longer (up to 12 hours) for more tart yogurt. Remove from the incubator container and chill the yogurt overnight to completely set. For Greek yogurt, strain through cheesecloth overnight, covered. Sweeten as needed with honey or sugar.

Use yogurt to make mason jar parfaits alternating layers of yogurt, granola, fresh blueberries, lemon curd and blueberry curd.

For additional yogurt information and tips, visit www.westerndairyassociation.org.