Learn To Make Cheese

Anyone who has made their own cheese can relate to this story of the both successful and disastrous attempts at cheese making.  Expense is one reason people are learning to make their own cheese, but once you’ve tried to make fresh mozzarella, you’ll realize why everyone doesn’t do it.

A cheesemaker commented:

“You make a lot of bad cheese before you make good cheese,” says Kate Dallam, owner of Broom’s Bloom Dairy in Maryland”

But author Laura Vozzella ended up with a delicious ricotta she’ll make again.  A happy ending!

“My second batch was an even bigger flop. Instead of a solid, tofu-y mass, the milk formed a spongy Frisbee in a pot of whey.

Third time wasn’t quite a charm, but it was cheese. I formed the blob into a ball, let it cool, then had a taste.

It was mozzarella, all right. Chewy, supermarket-y mozzarella.

I’d make the ricotta again, and put the savings toward fresh mozzarella from the store. Whatever the store is charging, it’s a steal”

Trial and Many Errors in Home Cheese Making – San Jose Mercury News.

Gourmet Sleuth has dozens of recipes for every kind of cheese.  they’re a good first stop when wanting to make a new cheese.  You can try your hand at blue cheeses, cheddars, chevres, ricotta, yogurt cheeses and more.   Even better, you’ll find that within a section like ricotta, they have six different ricotta recipes so you can compare them and see what works for you.  They also have great cheesemaking videos.

Here’s a sample recipe they provide for Michael Chiarello’s version of ricotta.

Napa Style Ricotta Cheese
This recipe is Chef Michael Chiarello. Visit the Napa Style website.

I N G R E D I E N T S
(Makes about 4 cups)

1 gallon whole milk
1 quart buttermilk
Instant-read or candy thermometer
Cheesecloth or clean muslin, rinsed

I N S T R U C T I O N S
Select a sieve or colander with a wide surface area so the curds will cool quickly. Rinse a large piece of cheesecloth or muslin with cold water, then fold it so that it is 6 or more layers, and arrange it in the sieve or colander placed in the sink.
Pour the milk and buttermilk into a large nonreactive saucepan. Place over high heat and heat, stirring the mixture frequently with a rubber spatula and making sure to cover the whole pan bottom to prevent scorching. Once the mixture is warm, stop stirring. As the milk heats, curds will begin to rise and clump on the surface. As the curds begin to form, gently scrape the bottom of the pan with the spatula to release any stuck curds.

When the mixture reaches 175° to 180ºF, the curds and whey will separate. The whey looks like cloudy water underneath a mass of thick white curds on the surface. Immediately remove the pan from the heat. Working from the side of the pot, gently ladle the whey into the prepared sieve. Go slowly so as not to break up the curds. Finally, ladle the curds into the sieve. Lift the sides of the cloth to help the liquid drain. Resist the temptation to press on the curds. When the draining slows, gather the edges of the cloth, tie them into a bag, and hang the bag from the faucet. Continue to drain until the dripping stops, about 15 minutes.

Untie the bag and pack the ricotta into airtight containers. Refrigerate and use within 1 week.

Michael’s Notes: I often make ricotta in winter and use it to fill ravioli for the freezer. Typically, I’ll boil the ravioli straight from the freezer, then simmer them briefly in chicken stock with some chard from the garden.

GourmetSleuth – How To Make Cheese – Cheese Making Recipes.

The Cheese Course
Nothing complements a good meal with friends like an exquisite selection of fine cheeses, whether it’s a grape leaf-lined platter of ricotta with honey, red pears and roasted chestnuts; a decorative Spanish tile topped with sheep’s milk cheeses; or a simple Italian salad of crostini dripping with melted fontina and white truffle oil.

The elegant tradition of the after-dinner cheese course is rapidly gaining popularity as part of home entertaining. Written by best-selling author and award-winning food writer Janet Fletcher, The Cheese Course describes the wonderful array of artisanal cheeses now available, offering suggestions for presentations as well as wine pairings and fruit and nut accompaniments.

This book is rounded out with 50 sweet and savory recipes for salads, breads and desserts that match deliciously with cheese.

Ok, it may be three ingredients, and you do need to purchase cheesecloth, But we found this very straightforward homemade ricotta recipe on the Washington Post’s website and had to share.  You’ll essentially make your own whey, using a combination of buttermilk and whole milk.  The whole milk portion can be all cow or cow and goat’s milk if you like. (Though Italian tradition dictates that sheep milk is best). (more…)

This ricotta recipe courtesy of the Boston Globe is outstanding.  Check with any cheese making supply store for vegetable rennet, draining baskets and a thermometer. (more…)