Recipe: Natural Yoghurt

I just love cooking and I'm into eating wholefoods, because I like to know exactly what I'm putting into my body. I also love using trusted recipes that have been passed on from others, and hope you do too, because I'm going to share some trusty recipes here.

Fabric and food don't have much in common, you might be thinking. But I reckon what we put into our bodies is so important and effects everything we do - our mood, our energy levels, how we sleep and so much more. What and how we eat is part of the bigger picture of who we are and who we want to be (whether we think about it that way or not).

The first recipe I'm going to share is for something that used to be readily available in most supermarkets here in Australia, but recently it's been replaced by a faddish upstart. Yep, I am finding it really hard to find natural yoghurt now, because it's been usurped by Greek yoghurt. Pot set natural yoghurt is tangy, a bit tart has a great texture. Greek yoghurt seems to have lots of added cream and thickeners and is a totally different, much more processed beast. And don't even get me started on those sugar-filled fruit 'yoghurts'!

I started making my own natural yoghurt a while ago but was never all that happy with it - it was too runny and not very tangy. But after a few tweaks I now make a weekly batch that is just as good, if not better than anything I've ever bought. It's SO easy to make, it's healthy and best of all, it's cheap. You just need two good quality ingredients, a couple of tools and 10ish minutes and you're done.  I like to make 2 litre worth at a time but you can easily halve or double the recipe, depending on how much you're going to need. Do let me know if you have any feedback :)

 

NATURAL POT SET YOGHURT

 

INGREDIENTS

2 litres good quality milk (preferably organic or biodynamic)

5 tablespoons natural yoghurt, with cultures (I like to use Jalna Biodynamic Whole Milk Yoghurt)

TOOLS

Cooking thermometer (mine ranges from 40 to 200 degrees celsius)

Medium sized saucepan

1 litre jar/s (I use 2 x Ball Mason pint jars plus one smaller jar)

Esky

METHOD

Warm the milk over a medium heat, stirring regularly so it doesn't stick. When it reaches 84 degrees celsius (183 fahrenheit), turn off the heat.

Let cool to 44 degrees celsius. You can add it to an ice bath to speed this process up - add a tray of iceblocks to a sink half filled with water; put the saucepan in the sink, being careful not to get any of the water in the pan, and stir until the mixture cools.
 

Whisk in 5 tablespoons natural yoghurt and mix until smooth. Pour the milk/yoghurt mixture into clean jars and seal. Add a kettle full of very hot water to the bottom of an esky (I use a small 6-can one my boyfriend bought many moons ago - it's the perfect size) and add the jars, so they're sitting partially submerged in the water. Leave for 24 hours for a medium tang yoghurt, or 36 hours for a delicious super tangy version. Refrigerate until cool. Lasts 5+ days in the fridge.

September

Not only is it September, but it's nearly the end of September. How did this happen? The Royal Melbourne Show is on, another radiothon is over for my favourite station RRR and it's definitely spring in still-cold Melbourne.

Here are some snaps of the things I've been working on lately - lots of ceramics, lots of watercolour patterns and lots of fabric (that I don't have proper photos of yet), soon to be added to the shop and/or for sale at some upcoming events. 

Lots of new ceramic spoons including the above.

The first and only mug I've ever made. 

Lots of hand painted porcelain studs now available in my shop.

I'm obsessed with pattern making in watercolour. This is my latest.

I did an ink audit this week and sorted them by colour group. Pinks and reds win.

This cake is THE best banana cake ever. Thanks, Hello Lunch Lady.

On a different not, today I listened to this podcast from The Jealous Curator while working (found via Tess at Creative Minds Publishing & CWC) and recommend it to any creatives who love hearing artists talking about their work and their thoughts. Sandra Eterovic is so generous with her thoughts and her ideas, what a gem.

And finally, there's a post about me at the Maribyrnong Makers Market blog. 

Just listed

My Etsy shop has been a bit unloved lately but now it's freshly stocked with all new ceramics, zip pouches and more. There's only one fabric pack left, so snap that up while it's still available! 

Have a great weekend.

More watercolour patterns

Here are some watercolour patterns I painted yesterday and today, when I realised I had a full blank pad of watercolour paper that I'd forgotten I'd bought. I've been quite into making freeform watercolour doodles lately - it's fun and therapeutic and relaxing. And because I'm so colour restricted with screen printing and with ceramics, I've gone a bit nuts on colour overload. Who needs a colouring in book? 

Happy Friday.

Studio Space: Marc Martin

The latest instalment of Studio Space features Marc Martin, a Melbourne-based Illustrator. Marc's light-filled studio is located above a store in the outskirts of the city. He shares the open-plan space with a group of other creatives, some indoor plants & occasionally, a dog. His space is bright and well equipped, with a workbench, a collection of books and magazines (for reference and inspiration), lots of art supplies and of course, a computer and scanner. One of the best things about the setup is it allows him to stand up while working, which he does about 50% of the time.

His background is in graphic design and in the past Marc ran a design studio with a friend, before deciding to become a full-time illustrator about four years ago. He works mainly in watercolour and his work is evocative, rich in detail and colour. And one of the biggest breakthroughs he discovered a little while back - a hairdryer! It now plays an integral part in the process of producing his work (hope I'm not giving away your trade secrets, Marc!) - no more smudges.

Marc has written numerous books, published through Penguin in English and other languages, including A River, A Forest, Max and The Curious Explorer's Illustrated Guide To Exotic Animals. He's just finished his latest book, details of which are yet to be revealed. He's also interested in the creative freedom self-publishing offers and is looking to self-release a book next year.

Marc also works as a freelance illustrator and is represented by the Jacky Winter Group. Some of his freelance clients include Monocle magazine, Wired magazine, The Financial Review, Virgin Atlantic, Assemble Papers and ACMI. He's also designed and illustrated material for various festivals. He says a good balance for him is 50% client illustration work and 50% self-directed book work. 

MARC MARTIN: Q&A

How long have you been in the space and where did you work from previously? I’ve been here for about 5 or 6 years. Every now and then I get tempted to move, but this space is just so central and full of great people, so there’s really no reason to look anywhere else.  

Yours is a shared space. How many other people work in the space? About 15 people. It’s a mix of photographers, designers, artists, writers, people studying and other creative pursuits. It’s a good bunch of people.  

Do you prefer working alone or with others? In terms of a working space, I definitely prefer working with others around. It’s nice to be able to go to a space where you can get some work done, but also have the ability to chat to people and be social if you need to be. I worked form home for while, and that just made me feel very isolated.  

How many hours a week do you spend there? A full working week, so pretty much 9-5, Monday to Friday. I think it’s important to treat being an artist like any other job, especially if you want to be successful at it.  

How, if at all, has the space influenced the way you work? I’ve been here so long that it’s hard to say if the space has influenced my work. I know I’ve changed the way I use the space - initially I was just doing all computer based work, and slowly I’ve migrated to pretty much all hand drawn things these days. So less sitting and staring at the screen and more active, gestural work with paint and paper.  

What does your dream space look like? It probably looks something like a log cabin in the woods somewhere, with a big window overlooking a lake where I can sit and make art.  

What inspires you, personally or professionally? Friends, nature, travel, film, books, art, photography. I’m just about to head off on a long-deserved holiday to Ningaloo reef, so I’m pretty sure some time snorkelling, swimming with whale sharks and driving through national parks will get me inspired too!  

MARC MARTIN: LINKS

Website: www.marcmartin.com

Shop: marcmartin.bigcartel.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcmartinart

Instagram: @marcmartinillo    

Snapchat: marcmartinart

And don't forget to follow Studio Space on Instagram: @hellostudio_ #hellostudiospace

Marc holding one of his books, A River. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

Marc working at his computer. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

One of Marc's studio mates and her dog. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

Bookshelf. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

Marc's workspace including standing desk. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

Studio windows from the road. Photo by Susan Fitzgerald.

All photos copyright Susan Fitzgerald 2016.

Urban and sweets

There is something about decaying urban landscapes that I just love, and the old typography/signage/handwriting that often goes alongside it. There's lots of this in the photos I've taken this week, while walking around my neighbourhood (and bits of the city). I've also got a thing for sweets and baking, it would seem. Happy Monday.