Coconut Milk... yogurt?

[Aletheia]

My DS (22mos) is dairy allergic. We've been on store-bought soy milk for most of his life, and he likes it just fine. But he is also teeny (20 pounds at 22 mos) and really active. His skin is also starting to be really dry. I'd like to get more fat into him, and coconut seems like a good place to start.

My specific question is whether anyone has tried to make coconut milk yogurt. It sounds good in theory... but would it work? Maybe I'll just have to try it. I wonder if I can use soy yogurt as a starter?

Also, should I just be offering it to him as a milk sippie cup on occassion? What about in cereal?

Any other suggestions as to how to best use coconut milk in his diet are welcome. We already are using coconut oil in some cooking and on toast, etc.

[velcromom]

It works, and it's delicious. I have used regular yogurt as a starter but I know there are places you can buy the probiotics in dairy-free powder form.

My coconut milk yogurt wasn't as thick as regular yogurt but I didn't really play around with trying to thicken it much.

Coconut milk is great in smoothies, which translate well into 'popsicles' for toddlers.

We use coconut oil for cooking too, it works equally well for stovetop cooking and for baking.

[joybird]

You betcha! My dd will loves it in smoothies but won't eat it plain . . . but your dc might. It's darn good. Here's my recipe:

For 1 quart coconut yogurt:
Heat 2 cans regular coconut milk to 185 F (lite won't work). While milk is heating add 1 Tbsp honey, 2 tsp vanilla and 1/2 packet gelatin - I think that's 2 tsp but I always make 2 quarts at a time and use a full packet Knox gelatin. Stir to dissolve.

Let cool to 120. Then add starter. I use a yogurt starter I bought online but you can use soy yogurt I would think. I also add in whatever probiotic capsules I have on hand.

Pour into a mason jar and incubate at 110 for about 20 hours. It takes longer for coconut yogurt to culture than regular milk.

[quietserena]

coconut milk yogurt thread I have bookmarked

[Mel_C]

My elder child is milk alergic as well. This is great info, thanks so much! Milk alergies stink for so many reason.

[Aletheia]

Thanks all for your replies! I am so excited to try it.

joybird- I'm intrigued by your recipe. Do you find that it makes a creamier, thicker yogurt than had you not added the gelatin, etc.?

Probiotics.... Ok, I'm feeling sort of dumb here! We've had dairy-free probiotic powder available since O was 4 months old, and I mix it in with his oatmeal and smoothies. Could I be using it as a yogurt start? Do I have to look on the label for specific beasties?

[JennySmith]

We put coconut milk in our smoothies too.

Pineapple, coconut milk, sometimes other fruits-- yummy!

[joybird]

Originally Posted by Aletheia

Thanks all for your replies! I am so excited to try it.

joybird- I'm intrigued by your recipe. Do you find that it makes a creamier, thicker yogurt than had you not added the gelatin, etc.?

Probiotics.... Ok, I'm feeling sort of dumb here! We've had dairy-free probiotic powder available since O was 4 months old, and I mix it in with his oatmeal and smoothies. Could I be using it as a yogurt start? Do I have to look on the label for specific beasties?

I think it would be really runny without the gelatin. This way it has the consistency of dairy yogurt - not like jello or anything!

It needs to have the specific strains thermopilus and bulgaricus to be yogurtized, but it can have additional strains as well.

[tanyalynn]

Probiotics.... Ok, I'm feeling sort of dumb here! We've had dairy-free probiotic powder available since O was 4 months old, and I mix it in with his oatmeal and smoothies. Could I be using it as a yogurt start? Do I have to look on the label for specific beasties?

I used our regular probiotic supp as a starter once for coconut milk yogurt. The taste was right as far as I can tell, but there was a distinct sulfur-y smell. Not sure which strain caused it, but it was off-putting.