It's a common practice to have a bowl of fresh curd accompanying almost all our meals, imparting a balance of flavours and freshness to the dishes. Curd holds a significant place in every Indian household, being used not only as is but also in various forms such as lassi, chaas, smoothies, raita, and kadhi on a regular basis. Homemade curd is always preferred over packaged alternatives. While making curd in the summer poses no challenges, setting it properly in winter can be a bit tricky. The low temperature and lack of moisture in the air impede the growth of bacteria in the milk-culture mix needed to turn it into curd. However, this doesn't imply that you should refrain from making curd in winter. Here, we provide a few easy tips to help you set curd just as easily during the upcoming cold days.
Here Are 5 Easy Tips To Set Curd In Winter:
1. Use Warmer Milk
While lukewarm milk works in summer, heat your milk a little more before adding a starter to it in winter. Just make sure it is not too hot but slightly warmer than lukewarm milk.
2. Set It In A Casserole
In summer, you have the liberty to use any type of steel or glass vessel to set curd. But in colder weather, using a casserole yields better results. Follow the same procedure of setting curd, but pour the ingredients into a casserole. The insulated container doesn't let the heat escape promoting bacteria growth.
(Also Read: 8 Ways to Spruce Up Foods Using Hung Curd or Greek Yogurt)
3. Put More Culture
In winter, just double the amount of starter (set curd) to be added to warm milk. For instance, if you use one tablespoon in summer, put two tablespoons to the same amount of milk in winter.
4. Store In A Closed Enclosure
After mixing milk and culture, make sure to keep the container in a dark, closed place. The best place is to put it in a microwave with lights on. It serves as a properly enclosed area with just enough heart emitting from the light.
(Also Read: How Curd Helps Strike Balance Between Health And Taste? Expert Speaks)
Creamy curd can be set by following these simple tips. Photo: iStock
5. Wrap It Nicely
Another great trick is to wrap the container with a warm cloth to emit heat around the container. Make sure to wrap it properly to retain the heat.
6. Follow The Morning Routine
Since mornings in winter are warmer, use this time to set the curd. The higher temperatures during the day will help curd set faster.
7. Place In Warm Water
Pouring some warm water in a casserole and then placing your vessel with the ingredients also works wonders. Make sure to close the casserole properly so that the warm water remains warm till the curd is set.
Enjoy the goodness of fresh curd at home, even in winter. Try these tips and thank us later.