IFC presents 
World Cuisine
Making Yogurt

Yogurt has a general invigorating effect on the system. It is most readily digestible then milk. Yogurt has a well established history, dating back thousands of years. Yogurt can be prepared from cows milk, goat or buffalo milk and Soya milk. The common ingredients with all types of milk is lactose which is the milk sugar. One of the main benefit of Yogurt is that it improves digestion of milk and cheese, as it assists the conversion of milk sugar into the useable form of lactic acid which destroys harmful bacteria within the small intestine. 

The best way to have milk is in its soured form; as yogurt, kefir homemade cottage cheese. Soured milk are more superior to sweet milk as they are in predigested form and very easy to assimilate. They also help to maintain a healthy intestinal flora and prevent intestinal putrefaction and constipation.  

Fresh yogurt is alkaline and as it sours it become acidic. It is rich in protein, calcium and B vitamins.

Yogurt is Sour, astringent, cooling, Cow Milk Increases Mucus and Bile

Blend 4 cups of full cream or skin milk with 6 cups of moderately hot water and place it in a very clean stainless steel container. When the milk mixture cools to blood temperature add a of prepared  yogurt . Stand the container of mixture in warm water. maintaining the temperature of the water until the mixture becomes form and has a curd like consistency. Remove from the water and store overnight at room temperature. (It is good to add acidophilus to the milk mixture along with the yogurt or buy yogurt with acidophilus as the culture.)

In summer one could place the container in a sunny spot, but not directly under the heat of the sun.

Uses of Yogurt

One could make Smoothie or Lassie

Lassie is a milkshake made with Yogurt. It's really delicious and healthy . Here's a very simple Lassie , and I'm sure that you'll come up with your variations

2 to 3 tablespoons of   yogurt 
2  tablespoons  of  water
Variations happens here.

1 pinch ground cardamom
1 pinch of cinnamon

1 teaspoon of melted honey

Blend all the ingredients for five seconds, (add ice in summer ) pour into a glass and serve
Try blending in peaches, mango, pears, even dried fruits. It tastes good, try it. One can have a single fruit flavor of a cocktail.

 Cucumber and Yogurt Raita

1 large green cucumber
1 medium onion, very finely diced
1 pinch salt or to taste
11/2 pinch black pepper
1 pinch ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon crushed garlic
Yogurt
Again here you can use a variety of ingredients to suite your taste. Nutmeg and or ginger. You can also make a carrot or beetroot or  banana or onion Raita. You can have fun exploring with different vegetables.

Peel cucumber, then slice lengthwise, then again slice lengthwise to the size of a French fry. Then cross cut to form and even dice. Mix all ingredients except yogurt, and let it stand for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Before serving add yogurt until the mixture is rich and creamy.
This is a very ideal summer food for yogurt is a cooling and has regenerating effect on the system

There are many books available in the market place that  provide information on the health benefit of Vegetarian die. At this point I would like to recommend a very good book, The healing Cuisine, India's Art of Ayurvedic cooking by Harish Johari,  healing Arts Press, One Park Street Rochester, Vermont 05767

There is a great selection of book available at Barnessandnoble. Click here Mind, Body, and Spirit and search for Healing Cuisine

The Healing Cuisine: India's Art of AyurVedic Cooking
In-Stock: Ships 2-3 days.
Harish Johari / Paperback / Inner Traditions International, Limited / December 1990
Our Price: $13.56, You Save 20

The Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen: Classic Family Recipes for Celebration and Healing
In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours.
Grace Young,Alan Richardson (Photographer) / Hardcover / Simon & Schuster Trade / April 1999
Our Price: $19.25, You Save 30%

Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing
In-Stock: Ships within 24 hours.
Usha Lad,Vasant Lad / Paperback / Ayurvedic Press / February 1997
Our Price: $12.76, You Save 20%

AyurVedic Cooking for Self-Healing
Special Order: Ships 3-5 weeks.
Usha Lad,Vasant Lad / Paperback / Ayurvedic Press / June 1994
Our Price: $15.95

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