Strawberry Coconut Milk Yogurt & Kefir-Like Drink!

9/19/2016 *Sara-Marie* 4 Comments

So I was determined to make a dairy free version that tasted just as good as the rest. Now, the "instant" part of Instant Pot does not apply to the yogurt function, but it does keep the coconut milk and probiotic concoction at the perfect temperature while it cultures for about 12 hours. I have found that it has been best to make it overnight.
Couple of notes about the yogurt recipe:

1. Since we are working with coconut milk, we do not have to do the pasteurization step that you would normally need to do with cow's milk when making yogurt. We just need to add our coconut milk and probiotics into a clean container and let it get to work.

2. While I loved how easy this was in the Instant Pot, you don't need one to make yogurt. You can also let it culture in an oven with the oven light on, but no additional heat.

3. I used two collagen products in this recipe - gelatin to thicken the yogurt and collagen peptides to add plenty of easily digestible protein.  Plus collagen is AMAZING for your health and we just don't get enough of it in our modern diet. Collagen supports bone and joint health, immune and digestive systems, and improves skin, hair, and nails making them healthier and stronger. Umm, hello?! Get yourself some collagen. You're welcome. :)

4. This recipe makes about 4.5 cups of yogurt packing in about 7grams of protein per 1/2 cup serving, along with a nice punch of carbs and fat to keep little bellies full all morning as a complete meal.  Or it makes a delicious side for an adult sized meal.

5. The amount of probiotic capsules you will need is based on how many active bacteria each of your capsules contain. You are looking for about 50-60 million active bacteria per batch. Since the ones I use have 20 billion each, I used 3 capsules.

After having success with the yogurt, I thought that this recipe would also make a nice kefir-like drink if I just left out the gelatin. And I was right! So whether or not you like to eat your probiotics with a spoon or sip through a straw, this recipe can be adapted to fit either preference. Either variation also works really well in a smoothie or as a frozen Popsicle for an after-dinner treat.

Though I haven't tried it yet, for longer storage, I would guess you could also freeze the yogurt in ice-cube trays to have ready for smoothies in the future! I also plan to make some frozen yogurt in the future in my ice-cream maker...oh the possibilities are endless.