Every summer it seems the garden provides us with a surprise gift. This year a small plant emerged that looked like a squash plant. I mentioned to my husband that we should keep an eye on it. So he tenderly trellised and mulched it. Eventually small round green fruit turned into brown weave-laced melon. What a nice surprise!

We recently picked the melon and waited for it to ripen on the counter. I made lovely parfait using my homemade yogurt and granola as well as an added drizzle of honey.

• 

• 

Why not make your own layered parfait using homemade yogurt. It is so creamy and is easy to make! You’ll love it. Follow the simple directions below.

• 

• 

Equipment Needed :

A cooking thermometer, 1/2 cup of whole milk plain yogurt, whole milk, ceramic or glass container with a cover that can be heated on the stove, a wooden stirring spoon and a heating blanket.

Directions:

1. Pour whole milk into a ceramic or glass container. On medium or medium low heat, warm the milk up to 190 degrees and shut off the stove. Make sure that you frequently stir it to prevent the hot milk from burning on the bottom. Let the milk cool to 110 degrees.

2. Scoop out one cup of the warm milk from the ceramic container into a measuring cup. Add the 1/2 cup of yogurt and whisk the mixture thoroughly. Add it back into the large ceramic container and whisk again.

3. Put the cover on the container and wrap a heating blanket around it set on low for 5 hours. Place the container (with the cover on) in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning stir your nice thick delicious yogurt!!

Good Luck! – Carole