Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

Finding something for breakfast that is healthy, tasty and that will sustain you until lunch, can be a tricky thing. One of my breakfast’s go- to’s, and something that has it all, is MUESLI.

What is muesli?

Muesli, pronounced “MEWZ-lee” is a cold oatmeal dish based on rolled oats and ingredients like grains, nuts, seeds and fresh or dried fruits. This mix may be combined with one or more liquids like milk, almond milk, other plant milks, yogurt and left for a time to soften the oats before being consumed.

It was developed around 1900 by a Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital, where a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables was an essential part of therapy. Muesli was not originally intended as a breakfast food, but as an appetizer similar to bread and butter.

Need something substantial for breakfast?

My system does not do well with the standard breakfast of pancakes and eggs, or even most rain cereals. If I eat those kinds of foods for breakfast, I am hungry and searching for something to at 10:00 am.

When I eat my muesli, it will be like 1:00 in the afternoon, and I’ll look at the clock and realize that, wow I should probably eat some lunch. (Now that is not typical for me). I am usually snacking and ready for my lunch by 11:00. I love this stuff.

It is very easy to make and tastes GREAT!

This is just the basic ingredients, but feel free to add or delete whatever you please. I don’t really measure things out, just throw things in.

Muesli Ingredients:

In your blender or food processor, add

Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.

Pulse until the nuts are chopped well, but not too fine.

If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

Take the mixture out of your blender and add some of these optional ingredients.

***UPDATE 2/27/2023

I have found a new chopper that I absolutely love for chopping nuts.

Cinnamon to taste ( a couple of teaspoons)
Chia Seeds (which are chuck full of nutrition) check out this site for more info
Ground Flax Seeds are good and good for you.
Dried Unsweetened Coconut
Raw Sesame Seeds

I like to make a bunch and put it in a zip bag or container and keep it in the freezer for the rest of the family to eat during the week.

Add a Cored Apple to your blender.

Pulse until chopped well.

A SIMPLE cheese grater works nicely too, or you can use this handy device that is great for chopping fruits and veggies.

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

Top with a little grade B pure maple syrup.

(Grade B has not been stripped of the many beneficial minerals and nutrients) I prefer the taste of it over the grade A.

LEARN HOW TO EASILY MAKE YOUR OWN GREEK YOGURT HERE.

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entree. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

It’s almost like dessert for breakfast.

Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

An easy to make grain free breakfast. Yummy oats, nut mix, berries and yogurt or nut milk make a hearty meal to start your day.

Prep Time10 min
Total Time10 min
Serving Size4 Servings

Course
- Breakfast
Cooking Method
- Blender

Ingredients

- Raw, (if at all possible) Unpasteurized Almonds- 1 cup
- A couple handfuls of Walnuts- 1 cup
- About a 1/2 cup of Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- A few Soft Medjool dates (with the pits removed) or pre-chopped dates work too. (The soft Medjool dates make it taste almost like caramel apples) I get my dates at Costco.

INSTUCTIONS

1

PULSE nuts, oats, and dates UNTIL THE NUTS ARE CHOPPED WELL, BUT NOT TOO FINE. If you blend too long, it will get soft and become nut butter.

2

TAKE THE MIXTURE OUT OF YOUR BLENDER AND ADD the other ingredients.

3

Add the apple to the blender and pulse to chop. Or chop with knife, veggie cutter or grater.

4

ADD SOME PLAIN YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA OR WHATEVER ELSE YOUR HEART DESIRES.

5

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

6

TOP WITH A LITTLE GRADE B PURE MAPLE SYRUP. (GRADE B HAS NOT BEEN STRIPPED OF THE MANY BENEFICIAL MINERALS AND NUTRIENTS) I PREFER THE TASTE OF IT OVER THE GRADE A.

7

The nut mix in itself can be a breakfast entrée. Pour milk, nut milk, rice, oat milk or soy milk over the top for a non-grain cereal option.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Instant Pot Greek Yogurt – Straining & Storing Tips

Making Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot has just gotten easier. To get the thickness of Greek yogurt, you need to strain the processed yogurt. In my previous yogurt making tutorial, I showed you how to strain the yogurt using a nut milk bag. It works great and gets good results; however, it can be messy and is challenging to transfer the yogurt into the bag without it getting all over the place. Doing it that way is a two man job.

I have found a way to strain the yogurt without all that mess. Some of you may already be doing it this way, but for those of you, who haven’t tried this, give it a whirl.

If you haven’t yet tried making yogurt and you have an Instant Pot, GET ON IT! If you don’t have an Instant Pot, I highly recommend you get one and start making yogurt. (You will absolutely love making all kinds of things in this wonder machine)

*****By the way, the 7 in One Instant Pot (that is what I have) is on sale right now on Amazon. Best price I have seen $79.95.

Making yogurt can seem very intimidating; however, it seriously is very easy to do. Once you make it and taste how yummy it is, you will never go back to store bought. Homemade yogurt is so much better for you. There are only TWO ingredients, THREE if you choose to add a little vanilla flavoring.

Milk
A little starter yogurt
Vanilla (optional)

That’s it!

Here is a little video clip showing the new process of straining using your steam basket and a few coffee filters.

What you will need

Regular large bowl strainer
Steam basket
Large bowl
4 Large coffee filters
Cheese cloth can also be used instead of coffee filters

Straining yogurt

Set the steam basket inside the bowl strainer and set on top of large bowl. The only reason I am using two strainers, is the bowl strainer is not big enough to hold all the yogurt. If you have a strainer large enough you will NOT have to use the steam basket.

Place four coffee filters inside steam basket, at an angle and overlapping to fully cover the inside of the bowl. If you have a bigger strainer, you may need more filters.

I recommend only making a half batch (1/2 gallon of milk instead of a full gallon), if using a small strainer.

Pour the processed yogurt into the lined strainers and let it sit 1-2 hours. You can leave it on the counter top or place in the refrigerator.

Once the yogurt is at the consistency that you prefer, transfer the yogurt to another bowl. The longer you strain, the thicker it will be. AHHHHH, this is SO much easier than squeezing the yogurt from the nut milk bag.

Remove the coffee filters and throw them away.

***** update 2/27/23

I have found a new strainer that is my favorite so far. You can get it HERE.

Yogurt can be stored in single serving containers or one large dish with a lid. These are the once I prefer.

Pint jars with a lids work great.

Here are a few other yogurt related posts to check out.

Valentine Yogurt Parfait

Morning Breakfast Muesli

For the latest post on HOW TO MAKE YOGURT, go HERE.

Enjoy!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot- Thick & Creamy

Instant pot Greek yogurt youmakeitsimple.com

Making yogurt used to seem real intimidating to me, until I learned how to make Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot. It is so easy and I am totally in love with this recipe!

Who would have thought you can make yogurt in a pressure cooker. This baby does it all. When I got my Instant Pot, I was able to get rid of my rice cooker, crock pot and manual pressure cooker. I just bought another Instant Pot, ha ha. It is so nice to have an extra one handy for those times when I want to steam veggies and cook a main dish at the same time. Now I have more room in my pantry and an easy way to make yogurt!

I love this thing and I am totally in LOVE with this Greek Yogurt Recipe!

This is seriously the best yogurt ever. I am not a big fan of eating plain yogurt without anything on it, but this is so yummy I even like it PLAIN. There are only TWO ingredients, THREE if you want to add a little vanilla flavoring.

Post update September 26, 2018 – I have added a few new nuggets of information about timing and straining.

Ingredients:

1/2 gallon of milk (I like to use organic milk. Sometimes I use whole milk and other times just 1%, both turn out creamy. I also hear goat milk works great too).
2 Tablespoons starter yogurt (The “starter yogurt” is simply already made yogurt. The yogurt that you use for the starter is very important. The first time making yogurt, purchase a high quality container of yogurt containing milk and live active cultures; nothing more).
1/2 – 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

Makes approximately 5-6 cups yogurt.

RECIPE CAN BE DOUBLED WITH GOOD RESULTS!

What you will need:

Instant Pot
Mesh Strainer and coffee filters or Nut Milk Bag
Digital Thermometer
Bowl
Whisk
Glass jars for storing

I have a NEW way to strain the yogurt! The nut bag method is what I instructed previously, but it can be messy and almost requires someone else to assist in pouring the yogurt into the bag.

The new method is using a strainer and coffee filters. You can find a video tutorial here, and the blog post about it here.

NOTE: If you are processing a full gallon of milk, you will have to strain it in two batches, unless you have a big strainer.

Once you start making your own yogurt, you can save at least 2 tablespoons of your last batch to add to the new one as your “starter”. I like to freeze some yogurt then I never have to worry about saving some. It goes fast in my house.

I use this handy BIG ice cube form. It is the perfect size for 2 tablespoons servings of yogurt. After they are frozen, I pop them out and put in a zip bag in the freezer.

Let’s get to the instructions of how to make it.

1-Pour the cold milk into a COLD Instant Pot pan

Place the lid on the pot.

2-Press the Yogurt button on the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and then the “Adjust” button until the display says “boil”

When the boiling cycle is done, a beep will sound and the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker display screen will say “Yogt.”

*You can remove the lid immediately. There is no need to wait for pressure to come down. The yogurt making process does not require the machine to come up to pressure.

3- Stir the milk and using a digital thermometer, check the temperature of the milk.

You are trying to get the milks temperature up to at least 180 F°. I like to get it up to 181-185 F°. (The first time I made it, it didn’t set up real well and I am sure it was because I wasn’t patient enough to wait for it to get up to temperature). If is not 180 degrees, you will need to do another boil. It may take a few boil sessions to get it up to temperature.

(There will be hot spots so stirring prior to taking the temperature, will give a more accurate reading).

*If you can’t reach 180 F degrees after two cycles, hit Sauté and then adjust to low and whisk continuously (scraping the bottom too), until you get to 180 degrees. (I like to get to 181-185 F° ).

It helps to give your milk a whisk halfway into the boil cycle (and again later on, if you remember).

4-Remove the cooking pot from the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and allow the milk to cool down to 110 F°

Sit the pot on a cooling rack where air can circulate around it. If I am in a hurry, I like to fill the sink with cold water and place the pot in the sink. (Be careful not to get any water in it). Remember to always stir the milk prior to taking the temperature.

When the temperature reaches 110 degrees, you are ready to add your yogurt starter.

5-Get a little bowl and take about a cup of the milk from Instant Pot and whisk in the starter, mixing well. Pour this mixture back into the pot

If you want to add a sugar (which I never do) and/or vanilla, now is the time to do so. Stir well.

6-Place the cooking pot back into the Instant Pot.

Make sure you dry off the pot before placing it back in the Instant Pot, if you had it in the sink with water.

7- Push the Yogurt Button, the display will show 8:00

(This is 8 hours). If you prefer a tarter yogurt, adjust the time to 10:00 hours. I usually set mine at 9 or 10.

****For those of you who have digestive issues, a few of my readers have left feedback regarding how longer processing helps with the digestion of lactose.

Kristen says: You might not need the Lactaid milk–the bacteria in yogurt digest the lactose and homemade yogurt that has been fermented for hours (the longer the better for lactose issues) has little lactose left. You might need to experiment to see how long you need to ferment it for your body to tolerate it. Good luck from another lactose-intolerant person
Mandy said: Just an FYI for anyone, like myself, who has to deal with chronic digestive issues: Long fermented yogurt is particularly helpful. I cook mine for a full 24 hours. I was amused when I got my Instant Pot to find out that 24 hours is one of the default yogurt settings. When we got our two cats, the little girl kitten begged for yogurt so pitifully that I did some research. Cows milk isn’t good for kitties but guess what. Home made, long fermented yogurt is. Score!!!! She gets her tablespoon every morning without fail.

A few things to note:

Be mindful if you press the adjust button twice, the Instant Pot will adjust to 24:00 hours. (Perhaps that is the setting many of us should be using). Make sure you get it to the right time setting for your needs.
The Instant Pot may reset from the “Normal” function to the “Less” function! You don’t want to incubate on the “Less” option. Make sure it is on “Normal”.
After you set your time, the Instant Pot will start to count up. I like to have the incubation period happen while I sleep. So if I go to bed at 10:00, I will start my yogurt making around 8:00. That gives me time for heating and cooling. It works out wonderful.

When I wake up it is ready to strain. If you like a thinner consistency, you won’t need to strain it.

To Strain or Not to strain

Un-strained Yogurt is just regular Yogurt and strained Yogurt is called “Greek Yogurt.” YUMMY! You are going to love this stuff.

The instructions below are for using the NUT MILK BAG to strain the yogurt.

The other method of straining using a bowl strainer and coffee filters can be found here.

8- Pour the yogurt into a strainer or Nut Bag

This is the nut milk bag. Place a big bowl underneath the strainer or bag to catch the whey that will drip out.

If you use a rice milk bag, you can make a knot in the string and hang it from a cabinet knob. Let it sit and drain until you get the consistency you like. This will take a few hours. If it is not a hot day, I just leave it out on the counter. If it is hot in your kitchen, you can let it strain in the refrigerator

9- You can save the whey and use it in smoothies, salad dressings, etc for added probiotic nutrition.

Make sure you label the jar you put it in. You don’t want someone thinking this is lemonade or some other beverage. There will usually be a few quarts of whey left over.

10-Place the yogurt into single one cup jars, or other glass containers

I like using these 2 cup glass jars with plastic lids.

These jars are great to store just about anything in (dried herbs, nuts, bulk seeds, etc).

This recipe makes 4 1/2 – 5 cups of Greek yogurt.

Here are some ideas of what to put in your yogurt

If you ever want a little sweetness, you can add a smidget of, honey or maple syrup.

Frozen berries, nuts and flaked coconut added to the yogurt makes a yummy, healthy and nutritious breakfast.

Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot- Thick & Creamy

Making Greek yogurt in the Instant Pot is a snap. This yogurt is thick and creamy with no added preservatives or sweeteners. Totally delicious!

Prep Time10 min
Cook Time8 min
Total Time18 min
Ready in8 hours 40 minutes
Yield5 cups
Serving Size1 cup

Course
- Breakfast
- Dessert
- Snack
Cooking Method
- Pressure cooker
- Instant Pot

Ingredients

- 1/2 gallon of milk (I like to use organic milk. Sometimes I use whole milk and other times just 1%, both turn out creamy. I also hear goat milk works great too).
- 2 Tablespoons starter yogurt (The “starter yogurt” is simply already made yogurt. The yogurt that you use for the starter is very important. The first time making yogurt, purchase a high quality container of yogurt containing milk and live active cultures; nothing more).
- 1/2 – 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

1

Pour the cold milk into a COLD Instant Pot pan

Place the lid on the pot.

2

Press the Yogurt button on the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and then the “Adjust” button until the display says “boil”

When the boiling cycle is done, a beep will sound and the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker display screen will say “Yogt.”

*You can remove the lid immediately. There is no need to wait for pressure to come down. The yogurt making process does not require the machine to come up to pressure.

3

Stir the milk and using a digital thermometer, check the temperature of the milk.

You are trying to get the milks temperature up to at least 180 F°. I like to get it up to 181-185 F°. (The first time I made it, it didn’t set up real well and I am sure it was because I wasn’t patient enough to wait for it to get up to temperature). If is not 180 degrees, you will need to do another boil. It may take a few boil sessions to get it up to temperature.

(There will be hot spots so stirring prior to taking the temperature, will give a more accurate reading).

*If you can’t reach 180 F degrees after two cycles, hit Sauté and then adjust to low and whisk continuously (scraping the bottom too), until you get to 180 degrees. (I like to get to 181-185 F° ).

It helps to give your milk a whisk halfway into the boil cycle (and again later on, if you remember).

4

Remove the cooking pot from the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and allow the milk to cool down to 110 F°

Sit the pot on a cooling rack where air can circulate around it. If I am in a hurry, I like to fill the sink with cold water and place the pot in the sink. (Be careful not to get any water in it). Remember to always stir the milk prior to taking the temperature.

When the temperature reaches 110 degrees, you are ready to add your yogurt starter.

5

Get a little bowl and take about a cup of the milk from Instant Pot and whisk in the starter, mixing well. Pour this mixture back into the pot

If you want to add a sugar (which I never do) and/or vanilla, now is the time to do so. Stir well.

6

Place the cooking pot back into the Instant Pot.

Make sure you dry off the pot before placing it back in the Instant Pot, if you had it in the sink with water.

7

Push the Yogurt Button, the display will show 8:00

(This is 8 hours). If you prefer a tarter yogurt, adjust the time to a longer time. I usually set mine at 20-24 hours.

Straining Instructions

8

Pour the yogurt into a strainer or Nut Bag

This is the nut milk bag. Place a big bowl underneath the strainer or bag to catch the whey that will drip out.

9

If you use a nut milk bag, you can make a knot in the string and hang it from a cabinet knob. Let it sit and drain until you get the consistency you like. This will take a few hours. If it is not a hot day, I just leave it out on the counter. If it is hot in your kitchen, you can let it strain in the refrigerator.

10

You can save the whey and use it in smoothies, salad dressings, etc for added probiotic nutrition.

Make sure you label the jar you put it in. You don’t want someone thinking this is lemonade or some other beverage. There will usually be a few quarts of whey left over.

11

Place the yogurt into single one cup jars, or other glass containers

I like using these 2 cup glass jars with plastic lids.

These jars are great to store just about anything in (dried herbs, nuts, bulk seeds, etc).

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

What is muesli?

Need something substantial for breakfast?

Muesli Ingredients:

In your blender or food processor, add

Pulse until the nuts are chopped well, but not too fine.

Take the mixture out of your blender and add some of these optional ingredients.

Add a Cored Apple to your blender.

Add some plain YOGURT, CHOPPED STRAWBERRIES, BLUEBERRIES, CHOPPED BANANA or whatever else your heart desires.

Top with a little grade B pure maple syrup.

Muesli: A Breakfast Recipe Super Star

Ingredients

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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What you will need

Straining yogurt

Jan Howell

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Ingredients:

What you will need:

Let’s get to the instructions of how to make it.

1-Pour the cold milk into a COLD Instant Pot pan

2-Press the Yogurt button on the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and then the “Adjust” button until the display says “boil”

3- Stir the milk and using a digital thermometer, check the temperature of the milk.

4-Remove the cooking pot from the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker and allow the milk to cool down to 110 F°

5-Get a little bowl and take about a cup of the milk from Instant Pot and whisk in the starter, mixing well. Pour this mixture back into the pot

6-Place the cooking pot back into the Instant Pot.

7- Push the Yogurt Button, the display will show 8:00

A few things to note:

To Strain or Not to strain

8- Pour the yogurt into a strainer or Nut Bag

9- You can save the whey and use it in smoothies, salad dressings, etc for added probiotic nutrition.

10-Place the yogurt into single one cup jars, or other glass containers

Here are some ideas of what to put in your yogurt

Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot- Thick & Creamy

Ingredients

Instructions

Jan Howell

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